ging, and perceiving this
is the first step towards wisdom. These angels have no clothing,
because nakedness corresponds to innocence.{1}

{Footnote 1} All in the inmost heaven are innocences (n. 154,
2736, 3887). Therefore they appear to others like children (n.
154). They are also naked (n. 165, 8375, 9960). Nakedness
belongs to innocence (n. 165, 8375). Spirits have a custom of
exhibiting innocence by laying aside their garments and
presenting themselves naked (n. 165, 8375, 9960).

281. I have talked much with angels about innocence, and have been
told that innocence is the being [esse] of all good, and that good is
therefore so far good as it has innocence in it, consequently that
wisdom is so far wisdom as it partakes of innocence; and the same is
true of love, charity, and faith;{1} and therefore no one can enter
heaven unless he possesses innocence; and this the Lord teaches when
He says:

Suffer little children to come unto Me, and forbid them
not; for of such is the kingdom of the heavens. Verily I
say unto you, Whoever shall not receive the kingdom of the
heavens as a little child, he shall not enter into it
(Mark 10:14, 16; Luke 18:16, 17),

Here as elsewhere In the Word "little children" mean those who are
innocent. A state of innocence is also described by the Lord in
Matthew (6:25-34), but by correspondences only. Good is good so far
as it has innocence in it, for the reason that all good is from the
Lord, and innocence is a willingness to be led by the Lord. I have
also been told that truth can be conjoined to good and good to truth
only by means of innocence, and therefore an angel is not an angel of
heaven unless he has innocence in him; for heaven is not in any one
until good is conjoined to truth in him; and this is why the
conjunction of truth and good is called the heavenly marriage, and
the heavenly marriage is heaven. Again, I have been told that true
marriage love derives its existence from innocence, because it
derives its existence from the conjunction of good and truth, and the
two minds of husband and wife are in that conjunction, and when that
conjunction descends it presents the appearance of marriage love; for
consorts are in mutual love, as their minds are. This is why in
marriage love there is a playfulness like that of childhood and like
that of innocence.{2}

{Footnote 1} Every good of love and truth of faith, to be good
and true must