love has closed the window overhead through which heaven is plain
and the side windows, too, in order not to see or hear that the Lord
alone governs all things, that nature in herself is lifeless, and that
man's proprium is infernal and consequently love of it is diabolical.
With the windows shuttered, self-love is in darkness, builds itself a
hearth fire at which it sits with its consort, and the two reason
amicably in favor of nature as against God and in favor of man's own
prudence as against divine providence.

207. _Whence and what divine providence is._ It is the divine activity in
the man who has removed self-love. For, as was said, self-love is the
devil, and lusts with their enjoyments are the evils of his kingdom,
which is hell. On the removal of self-love the Lord enters with the
affections of neighborly love, opening the overhead window and then the
side windows, thus enabling man to see that there is a heaven, a life
after death and eternal happiness. By the spiritual light and at the same
time the spiritual love which then flow in, the Lord causes him to
acknowledge that God governs all things by His divine providence.

208. _Who and of what nature those in each group are._ Those who
acknowledge God and His divine providence are like the angels of heaven,
who are averse to being led by themselves and love to be led by the Lord.
It is a sign that they are led by the Lord that they love the neighbor.
Those, however, who acknowledge nature and one's own prudence are like
the spirits of hell, who are averse to being led by the Lord and love to
be led by themselves. If they were powerful persons in a kingdom or
prelates in the church they want to dominate all things. If they were
judges, they pervert judgment and exercise power over the laws. If they
were learned, they apply scientific information to confirm nature and
man's proprium. If they were merchants they act like robbers, and if
husbandmen like thieves. All are enemies of God and scoffers at divine
providence.

209. It is amazing that when heaven is opened to such men and they are
told that they are insane, and this is made plain to their very
perception by influx and enlightenment, still they angrily shut heaven
away from them and look to the earth beneath which is hell. This is done
with such men while they are still outside hell. It makes plain how
mistaken those are who think, "If I see heaven and hear angels speaking
with me, I shall acknowledge.