Conjugial Love

"...what you have seen, and how heaven appeared to you." Then they replied in order; and the FIRST began: "My idea of heaven, from my earliest childhood to the end of my life on earth, was that it was a place filled with every kind of blessing, satisfaction, enjoyment, gratification, and delight. I believed that if I were introduced there, I would be surrounded by an atmosphere of such happiness and would receive it with the highest pleasure, like a bridegroom at his wedding feast when he enters the bedchamber with his bride.

Full of this idea, I ascended into heaven and passed the first guard and also the second. But when I came to the third, the captain of the guard stopped me and said, 'Who are you, friend?' I replied, 'Is this not heaven? My longing desire to go to heaven has brought me here; I pray you, therefore, permit me to enter.' Then he permitted me, and I saw angels in white garments who gathered around me and examined me. They whispered to each other, 'What new guest is this, who is not wearing heavenly clothing original: "raiment"?' I heard what they said and thought to myself, 'This is just like the case the Lord describes of the person who came to the wedding without a wedding garment.' This refers to the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew 22:11-13. So I said, 'Give me such garments.' At this, they smiled. Instantly, someone came from the judgment hall with this command: 'Strip him naked, cast him out, and throw his clothes after him.' And so I was cast out."

The SECOND in order then began as follows: "I also supposed that if I were only admitted into heaven, which was over my head, I would be surrounded with joys that I would participate in forever. I likewise wished to be there, and my wish was granted. But when the angels saw me, they fled away and said to one another, 'What monster original: "prodigy" is this! How did this bird of night get here?' Upon hearing this, I truly felt as if I had undergone some change and was no longer a man. This, however, was merely an illusion arising from breathing the heavenly atmosphere. Soon, however, someone came running from the judgment hall with an order that two servants should lead me out and conduct me back by the way I had ascended until I reached my own home. When I arrived there, I again appeared to others—and to myself—as a man."

The THIRD said, "I always conceived of heaven as a place of blessedness that existed regardless of the state of one’s heart original: "affections". Therefore, as soon as I came into this world, I felt a most burning desire to go to heaven. Accordingly, I followed some people whom I saw ascending there and was admitted along with them. But I did not go far. When I desired to delight my mind (animus) original Latin: animus, meaning the lower mind, including emotions and natural desires according to my idea of heavenly happiness, a sudden stupor seized my mind (mens) original Latin: mens, meaning the higher or rational mind. This was caused by the light of heaven, which is as white as snow and whose essence is said to be wisdom. Darkness filled my eyes, and I was driven to a state of temporary insanity. Soon, from the heat of heaven—which corresponds to the brightness of its light—and...