XXXI. Swedenhorg. " For those who put reward

in the first place, and salvation in the second, thus, this for the sake of that, invert order, and immerse the in- terior desires of their mind in their proprium, and in the body defile them with the delights of their flesh." True a R. page 310.
Spinoza, after proving that virtue and religion are their own reward, remarks, that " most persons seem to think themselves free only when they are allowed to consult their own pleasure, and feel as if they were sur- rendering something of their rights when they yield obedience to the divine law; as if the service of God were not perfect freedom and perfect happiness. Piety then and religion, and in short whatever belongs to for-
Cu. XII.] A HERMETIC PHILOSOPHER. 307
titude or strength of soul, are looked upon as burdens, which they hope to lay aside after death, and receive the reward of their services, to wit, of their piety and religion." Ethics^ part 5, prop. 41, schol.