2550. 'Abimelech said to Abraham' means further thought from the doctrine of faith. This is clear from what has been stated above in 2545, where almost the same words occur. This being a second statement of these words, it means further thought, and indeed regarding the cause. For what thought from the doctrine of faith is, see the same paragraph.

334. These gifts have been given to mankind to use and enjoy, and they are free gifts, as is clearly apparent from the state of angels in heaven, who likewise have a body, rational faculty, and spiritual character, as people do on earth. They are nourished without cost, for they are daily given their food. They are clothed without cost, because they are given their clothing. They have their lodging without cost, because they are given their houses. Nor do they worry about any of these things. ¹ Moreover, to the extent that they are spiritually rational, they experience enjoyment, protection, and the preservation of their condition.

The difference is that angels see that these are gifts from the Lord, because things there are created in accordance with the state of their love and wisdom, as we showed in the preceding discussion (no. 322), while people do not see this, because things here recur yearly and exist not in accordance with the state of people's love and wisdom, but according to the care they expend on them.

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