EU 49 - ancient times

EU 49

. . . the ancient times, and especially the most ancient,

were more acceptable to the Lord than succeeding times:

and such being the state of the world,

innocence also then reigned,

and with it wisdom;

every one then did what was good from good,

and what was just from justice.

To do what is good and just

with a view to their own honor, or gain, was unknown.

At the same time they spoke nothing but what was true,

and this not so much from truth as from good,

that is, not from the understanding separate from the will,

but from the will conjoined with the understanding.

Such were the ancient times . . ..

The reason that those times were such, was owing to this,

that people were then distinguished into nations,

nations into families, and families into houses,

and every house lived apart by itself;

and it then never entered into any one's mind

to invade another's inheritance,

and from there to acquire to himself opulence and dominion.

Self-love and the love of the world were then far removed;

every one rejoiced in his own,

and not less in his neighbor's good.

But in succeeding times this scene was changed,

and totally reversed,

when the lust of dominion and of large possessions invaded the mind.

Then mankind, for the sake of self-defense,

collected themselves into kingdoms and empires;

and because the laws of charity and of conscience,

which were inscribed on the hearts, ceased,

it became necessary to enact laws

in order to restrain violence,

in which honors and gains were rewards,

and privation of them punishments.

When the state of the world was thus changed,

heaven removed itself from man,

and this more and more even to this age,

when it is no longer known

whether there is a heaven and a hell,

and yes, by some it is denied.