115. The other memorable experience is as follows: 1
An angel once said to me, "You wish to see clearly what faith and charity are, and thus what faith is when separate from charity, and what it is when united with charity; I will demonstrate it to the sight." I replied, "Do so." And he said, "Instead of faith and charity, think of light and heat, and you will see this matter clearly. For faith in its own essence is the truth of wisdom, and charity in its own essence is the affection of love; and the truth of wisdom in heaven is light, and the affection of love in heaven is heat. The light and heat in which the angels dwell are nothing else. From this you can clearly see what faith is when separate from charity, and what it is when united with charity. Faith separate from charity is like the light of winter, and faith united with charity is like the light of spring. The light of winter, which is light separate from heat, because it is combined with cold, utterly strips the trees of all their leaves, kills the grass, hardens the ground, and freezes the water. But the light of spring, which is light combined with heat, causes the trees to vegetate, first into leaves, then into blossoms, and lastly into fruits. It opens and softens the ground that it may produce grass, herbs, flowers and fruits; and also dissolves the ice so that the waters flow from their sources. It is exactly similar with faith and charity. Faith separate from charity deadens all things, and faith combined with charity vivifies all things. This vivifying and deadening may be seen to the life in our spiritual world, because here faith is light, and charity is heat. For where faith is united with charity there are paradisaical gardens, flower-beds and shrubberies, delightful according to the union. But where faith is separate from charity there is not even grass, and what green there is, is from thorns and briars." Not far from us at that time were some of the clergy whom the angel called justifiers and sanctifiers of men by faith alone, also dealers in mysteries. We related the same things to them, giving them clear proof so that they might see that such was the case. Yet when we asked them whether it was not so, they turned away, saying, "We did not hear you." But we called out to them, saying, "Then hear us further." They then placed both hands over their ears, and cried out, "We will not hear."
CONCLUSION From Jeremiah 7:2-4, 9-11: Stand in the gate of the house of Jehovah, and proclaim there this word... Thus saith Jehovah of hosts, the God of Israel: Amend your ways and your doings ...trust ye not in lying words, saying, The temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah, the temple of Jehovah is here (that is, the church). Will ye steal, murder, commit adultery, and swear falsely...and after that come and stand before Me in this house, which is called by My name, and say, We are delivered: whilst ye do all these abominations? Is not this house become a den of robbers?... Even I, behold, I have seen, saith Jehovah.
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