4803. A matter wholly unknown in the world and worthy of mention is this: The states in which good spirits and angels live undergo constant change and perfection. In this way they are conveyed to the more internal parts of the province in which they dwell, and so into more excellent functions. For in heaven purification takes place constantly, which is so to speak a new creation. Yet the situation is that no angel to all eternity can possibly attain complete perfection. The Lord alone is the perfect One, He being the root and the source of all perfection. Those who correspond to the mouth constantly wish to be speaking, for speaking gives them utmost pleasure. While undergoing perfection they are restricted to speaking nothing but that which is beneficial to companions, the community, heaven, and the Lord. The delight they take in speaking in that way grows in the measure that the desire to regard themselves in what they speak and to strive after wisdom from what is properly their own passes away from them.

6751. 'And he was a son to her' means that then first truths were attached to that affection. This is clear from the representation of Pharaoh's daughter, to whom 'to her' refers here, as an affection for factual knowledge, dealt with immediately above in 6750; and from the meaning of 'son' as truth, dealt with in 489, 491, 533, 2623, 3373, here first truth since 'being a son to her' is possessing first truths acquired through factual knowledge. For first truths are born from factual knowledge and so are like sons born from their mother, who is the affection for factual knowledge. And factual knowledge is the groundwork for truths composing the understanding and faith, see above in 6750. When a person is being regenerated matters of faith develop in him in almost the same way as things that are not matters of faith develop while he is growing up. While he is growing up sensory impressions compose the first level to be laid down, then known facts another level; and after that, grounded on these levels, the power of judgement grows, more fully with one person, less fully with another. While a person is being regenerated the general aspects of faith or the basic elements of the Church's teachings compose the level that is laid down first, then come particular aspects of that teaching and faith, and after that in successive stages things that are more and more internal. These are levels which the light of heaven shines on; and from this comes the power of understanding, and the ability to perceive the truth of faith and the good of charity.