127. Men's desire to probe into mysteries of faith by means of sensory evidence and factual knowledge was not only the cause of the downfall of the Most Ancient Church, that is to say, of its descendants - to be dealt with in the next chapter; it is also the cause of the downfall of every Church. For that desire leads not only to falsities but also to evils of life.

1774. There are spirits who are unwilling to listen to anything regarding the inner content of the Word. Indeed, no matter how much they are able to understand they are still unwilling. They are in particular those who have placed merit in good works, and who have therefore done good deeds for selfish and worldly reasons, that is, for the sake of eminent positions or of wealth which they may gain for themselves, and for the consequent reputation, and so not for the sake of the Lord's kingdom. In the next life such persons wish more than all others to enter heaven, yet they remain outside of it, for they are unwilling to be furnished with cognitions of truth and so to be stirred by an affection for good. They interpret the Word literally according to their own false notions, and advance whatever expresses approval of their evil desires. Such were represented by an aging woman whose face was unsightly but still with a snowy pallor, but with irregular features that made her ugly. On the other hand people who welcome and love the inner content of the Word were represented by a girl in the first stage of maidenhood, or first flush of youth, dressed beautifully and wearing garlands and heavenly adornments.