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THE SWEDENBORG LIBRARY.

according to appearances. There are however degrees of the appearances of truth. Natural appearances of truth are in many cases fallacies; but when they have place with those who are principled in good, they are not to be called fallacies but appearances, and even truths in some respect; for the good which is in them and in which is the Divine, causes their essence to be different. But rational appearances of truth are more and more interior; in these appearances are the heavens, that is, the angels who are in the heavens.

That some idea may be had of the appearances of truth, and what they are, let the following cases serve for illustration: I. Man believes that he is reformed and regenerated by the truth of faith, but this is an appearance; he is reformed and regenerated by the good of faith, that is, by charity towards his neighbor and love to the Lord. II. Man believes that truth enables him to perceive what good is, because it teaches, but this is an appearance; it is good which gives to truth the ability to perceive, for good is the soul or life of truth. III. Man believes that truth introduces to good when he lives according to the truth which he has learned; but it is good which flows into truth and introduces it to itself. IV. It appears to man that truth perfects good, when yet it is good that perfects truth. V. Goods of life appear to man as the fruits of faith, but they are the fruits of charity. From these few cases it may in some measure be known what the appearances of truth are. Such appearances are innumerable. (A. C. 3207.)

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