1. 前言:新天國與新教會的信仰

首先, 將本書中所講述的真實的基督徒信仰, 也就是新天國和新教會的信仰, 分別以總體和具體的形式概要地說明。作為接下來全書的引言, 或作為進入聖殿的大門, 又或作為詳細內容的概要。此信仰被稱為新天國和新教會的信仰, 因為天人(angel)組成的天國和世人組成的教會, 如同一個人的靈魂與肉體, 內外一致,行動如一。因此, 若教會之人活在良善與真理之中, 對於思想內在而言, 他就是天國的一名天人。在肉身死後, 他便進入天國, 照著良善與真理在他裡面聯合的狀態在那裡安享極樂。當知道, 在主現在正建立的新天國中, 這樣的信仰是新天國的引言,入門和概要。

10555. 'As a man (vir) speaks to [his] neighbour' means the joining together of truth and good. This is clear from the meaning of 'speaking' as reciprocal perception and the consequent joining together, as immediately above in 10554; from the meaning of 'man' (vir) as truth, dealt with in 3134, 3459, 4823, 7716, 9007; and from the meaning of 'neighbour' as good to which truth is joined. Various places in the Word use the expression 'man and neighbour' or 'man and companion', and by it in a reciprocal way is meant, as also by 'man and brother'. And when in a reciprocal way is meant a reciprocal joining together should be understood, like that of truth and good. For truth joins itself in a reciprocal way with good, because truth derives its being from good, and good receives its specific quality in truth. No truth exists in heaven that is not joined to good, because without good truth is not anything; nor is good anything without truth. For truth without good is like the receiver of being without the giver of being, and good without truth is like the giver of it without the receiver. Or truth without good is like a body without life, and good without truth is like life without a body. Therefore unless the two are joined together they are not anything that can accomplish anything; that is, they are not anything to which anything of heaven and the Church can be attributed.

[2] The situation when one is without the other is similar to that when the human understanding exists without the will, or the will without the understanding. One may indeed become separated from the other, as when there is an understanding of what is true and good but no will to do it. In this case however the understanding has a will derived from a source other than that which is good. It derives it from willing well to self, or [to others] for the sake of self, with the understanding of what is true and good serving as means to this end. Those who reflect correctly on the matter may recognize that the human understanding derives its life from its will, without which it is not anything, and also that understanding and will turn to each other and are linked together. A similar situation exists with truth and good, consequently with faith and love. Unless truth is linked to good, or faith to love, there is no truth or good, nor any faith or love. These matters have been mentioned in order that people may know what to understand by a linking of each to the other, meant in the spiritual sense by 'man and companion' or 'man and neighbour', and also by 'man and brother'.