CHAP. I., VERSE 4.—N. 22.

angels have, concerning the regions of this earth. When Asia is named, angels perceive the south; when Europe is named, the north; and when Africa, the east; and as by the "south" is signified the clear light of intelligence In this context, "intelligence" refers to the spiritual ability to perceive and understand truths., so that light is signified by "Asia." This perception has been granted to me, as often as I have been in the spiritual idea and have thought of Asia. Such is the spiritual idea of Asia, because the church was there in ancient times, and extended over many regions thereof; therefore, those who are in heaven from that country are in the light of intelligence. For this reason when Asia is thought of, a light like that which is in the south of heaven flows-in. (That in ancient times, also in the most ancient, the church was in Asia, and extended through many kingdoms there, see the quotations from the Heavenly Secrets original Latin title: "Arcana Caelestia" in the New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 247; and that the "south" signifies the light of intelligence, see Heaven and Hell, n. 141-153, where the Four Quarters in Heaven are treated of.) By "Asia," however, inhabitants of Asia are not here meant, but all, wheresoever they are, who are in the spiritual light of intelligence, or, what is the same, who are in truths from good Actions or intentions motivated by love and kindness, rather than just intellectual belief.; for those who are in truths from good are in the spiritual light of intelligence; and all such constitute the Lord's church. (That the Lord's church exists also among the nations, although specifically where the Lord is known and the Word is read, see Heaven and Hell, n. 318-328; and the New Jerusalem and its Heavenly Doctrine, n. 244, 246.)

22. "Grace to you and peace" signifies delight of truth and good.—This is evident from the signification of "grace," as meaning delight of truth (about which more presently); and from the signification of "peace," as meaning delight of the good of innocence A state of being led by the Divine, free from self-will. and love (on which see Heaven and Hell, where the State of Peace in Heaven is treated of, n. 284-290). "Grace" means delight of truth, because there are two things that go forth from the Lord, united in their origin, but separated in those that receive them. For there are those that receive more of Divine truth than of Divine good, and those that receive more of Divine good than of Divine truth. Those that receive more of Divine truth than of Divine good are in the Lord's spiritual kingdom The part of heaven where inhabitants are primarily motivated by a love for truth and the neighbor., and are therefore called spiritual; those that receive more of Divine good than of Divine truth are in the Lord's celestial kingdom The highest part of heaven where inhabitants are primarily motivated by a direct love for the Lord., and are therefore called celestial. (On these two kingdoms in heaven and in the church, see Heaven and Hell, n. 20-28.) To those in the spiritual kingdom it is granted by the Lord to be in affection for truth for the sake of truth; and this Divine gift is what is called grace; so far, therefore, as any one is in that affection is he in the Lord's Divine grace; nor is any other Divine grace possible to man, spirit or angel, than to be