XI.
CORRESPONDENCE.
T is unknown at this day what correspondence is. This ignorance arises from various causes, the chief of which is, that man has removed himself from heaven by the love of self and the world. For he who loves himself and the world above all else, cares only for worldly things, because they please the external senses and delight the carnal appetite; and has no concern about spiritual things, because they please the internal senses and delight the rational mind. Therefore such men reject spiritual things, saying they are too high for their comprehension.
It was otherwise with the ancients. To them the knowledge of correspondences was the chief of all knowledges. By means of this they acquired intelligence and wisdom, and those who were of the church had communication with heaven; for the knowledge of correspondences is angelic knowledge. The most ancient people, who were celestial men, actually thought from correspondence as do the angels. For this reason also they conversed with the angels. And for the
