art and cunning, whereby they have induced the common people to believe that a divine sanctity was in them. Of this character are many of the Roman Catholic saints, with some of whom also I have been permitted to converse; and their life was then faithfully described to me, such as it had been in the world, and such as it was afterwards.
These statements are made in order that it may be known, that the life which leads to heaven is not a life of retirement from the world, but of action in the world; and that a life of piety, without a life of charity,—which can only be acquired in the world,—does not lead to heaven, but a life of charity does; and this consists in acting sincerely and justly in every occupation, in every transaction, and in every work, from an interior and thus from a heavenly origin; and such origin is inherent in such a life, when a man acts sincerely and justly because it is according to the divine laws.[1] Such a life is not
- ↑ A life of piety without the life of charity is of no avail. The life of charity consists in willing well and doing well to the neighhor, in acting in every office and employment from a principle of justice and equity, and from a principle of good and truth. In a word, the life of charity consists in the performance of uses.
The most essential worship of the Lord consists in the life of charity, but not in a life of piety without this. A life of piety without the life of charity, is to be willing to consult one's self alone, not the neighbor; but a life of piety with the life of charity, is to be willing to consult one's self for
