of the letter. For in the Word there is both a literal and a spiritual sense. The literal sense consists of such things as are in the world, but the spiritual sense of such things as are in heaven. And since the conjunction of heaven with the world is by correspondences, therefore such a Word was given that everything in it, even to an iota, corresponds.
THE GOLD, SILVER AND COPPER AGES.
I have been informed from heaven that the most ancient people on our earth, who were celestial men, thought from correspondences themselves; and that the natural things of the world which were before their eyes, served them as mediums of such thought. And because they were of such a character, they were associated with the angels and conversed with them; and thus heaven was conjoined to the world through them. On this account that time was called the golden age; concerning which it is also said by ancient writers, that the inhabitants of heaven dwelt with men and held intercourse with them as friends with friends.
After those times there arose another race who did not think from correspondences themselves, but from the knowledge of correspondences. And I was informed that there was conjunction of heaven with man even then, but not so intimate. That period was called the silver age.
After them succeeded a race who, indeed, were ac-
