ignorantly, is not a sin. Sin implies a knowledge of the law transgressed. It consists in disobedience to known and acknowledged truth. If we ignorantly transgress, we feel very different from what we should if we did the same act with a full knowledge at the time that we were violating a divine law. Is it reasonable, then, that those born in Pagan lands should be forever doomed to darkness and woe, because of their non-obedience to truth which they never heard of?
No: God is a Being infinitely wise and just. And all that such a Being can require of individuals or nations, be they Jews, Mahometans, Pagans or Christians, is, that they live according to the light they have. And all who do so live, will finally be received into heaven; for by their religious obedience to the few truths they know they are prepared to receive more and purer truths in the world of spirits.
Such, briefly, is the doctrine revealed through Swedenborg on this subject; a doctrine that fully accords with our highest conception of the Divine character and attributes, as well as with the dictates of reason and common sense.
And not less clearly does the doctrine agree with the teachings as well as with the entire spirit of Holy Scripture. The Word of God simply requires us to walk according to the light that is given. "While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light," saith the Lord (John xii. 36). And we really believe in the light, only when we walk according to it (H. H. 351; A. C 4239; A. R; 67; A. E. 346). "Walk while ye have the light." Those to whom the light of
