Conjugial Love

according to the worth and excellence of their fruit. The spiral arrangement began at a considerable distance from the tree in the middle, and the space in between was radiant with a beam of light, which caused the trees in the circle to shine with a graduated splendor that continued from the first to the last. The first trees were the most excellent of all, abounding with the choicest fruits; these were called paradisiacal trees original: "paradisiacal trees"; trees belonging to paradise, which Swedenborg describes as having a spiritual beauty unknown on Earth., being of a kind never seen in any country of the natural world, because no such trees ever grew or could grow there. These were followed by olive trees, the olives by vines, these by fragrant shrubs, and these again by timber trees, whose wood was useful for building. At regular intervals in this spiral or winding circle of trees, seats were interspersed. These were formed of the young shoots of the trees behind them, which had been brought forward and entwined with each other, while the fruit of the trees hanging over them both enriched and adorned the seats. Along this perpetually winding circle of trees, there were passages that opened into flower gardens, and from those into shrubberies, laid out into designated areas and beds. At the sight of all these things, the companions of the angels exclaimed, "Behold heaven in form! Wherever we turn our eyes, we feel an influx original: "influx"; in Swedenborg’s philosophy, this is the flow of spiritual energy or life from God into the mind and world. of something from a heavenly paradise that cannot be expressed." At this, the angel rejoiced and said, "All the gardens of our heaven are representative forms or types of heavenly blessings in their origins. Because the flow of these blessings elevated your minds, you exclaimed, 'Behold heaven in form!' However, those who do not receive that spiritual influence regard these paradisiacal gardens only as common woods or forests. All those who are moved by the love of use original: "love of use"; a central concept in Swedenborg's works, meaning the desire to be productive and helpful to others for the sake of the common good. receive this influence; but those who are moved by the love of glory that does not come from being useful do not receive it." Afterward, he explained to them what every particular thing in the garden represented and signified.

14. While they were occupied in this way, a messenger arrived from the prince with an invitation for them to dine with him. At the same time, two attendants brought garments of fine linen and said, "Put these on; for no one is admitted to the prince’s table unless they are clothed in the garments of heaven." So they put them on and accompanied their angel. They were shown into a reception room belonging to the palace, where they waited for the prince. There, the angel introduced them to the company and conversation of the dignitaries and nobles, who were also waiting for the prince’s appearance. And suddenly, in about an hour, the doors were opened, and through one larger than the rest on the western side, the prince was seen entering in a stately procession. His junior counselors went before him, followed by his private advisors, and then the chief officers of the court. In the middle of these was the prince; after him followed courtiers of various ranks, and lastly the guards. In total, they numbered one hundred and twenty. Then the angel, advancing before the ten strangers, who by their dress now appeared like