Arcana Coelestia volume 7 - Swedenborg Foundation

ARCANA COELESTIA 3981cannot think from anything higher than the exterior natural; for hecomposes his ideas from things of sense. But as he grows up, andfrom things of sense draws conclusions as to causes, he therebybegins to think from the interior natural; for from things of sensehe then forms some truths, which rise above the senses, but stillremain within the things that are in nature. But when he becomes ayoung man, if as he then matures he cultivates his rational, he thusforms reasons from the things in the interior natural, which reasonsare truths still higher, and are as it were drawn out from the thingsin the interior natural. The ideas of thought from these are called inthe learned world intellectual and immaterial ideas; while the ideasfrom the memory-knowledges in both naturals, insofar as from thesenses they partake of the world, are called material ideas. In thisway man mounts in his understanding from the world towardheaven. But still he does not come into heaven with hisunderstanding unless he receives good from the Lord, which iscontinually present and flowing in; and if he receives good, truthsalso are bestowed on him, for in good all truths find their abode;and according as truths are bestowed on him, so also isunderstanding, by reason of which he is in heaven.5498. And he said unto his brethren. That this signifies generalperception is evident from the signification of “saying,” in thehistoricals of the Word, as being perception (of which oftenbefore); and from the signification of “unto his brethren” as beingwhat is general, for that which is said to all becomes general.5499. My silver is restored. That this signifies that there was no aidfrom them is evident from the signification of “restoring silver” asbeing without any ability of theirs, or what is the same thing, thatthere was no aid from them (of which above, n. 5488, 5496).5500. And lo it is even in my bag. That this signifies that it was inthe exterior natural is evident from the signification of “bag” asbeing the exterior natural (of which just above, n. 5497).5501. And their heart went forth. That this signifies fear is evidentfrom the signification of the “heart going forth” as being fear. That