Arcana Coelestia (Potts) n. 7914

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7914. Draw ye forth. That this signifies that they should compel themselves, is evident from the signification of "drawing forth," when said of the good of innocence, which they who are of the spiritual church were to receive from the Lord, as being to compel themselves. For the good of innocence, which is the good of love to the Lord, is not received by the man of the spiritual church unless he compels himself; because it can with difficulty be believed by him that the Lord is the only God, and also that His Human is Divine; and therefore as he is not in faith, neither can be in love to Him, consequently not in the good of innocence, unless he compels himself. (That man ought to compel himself, and that when he compels himself it is from freedom, but not when he is compelled, see n. 1937, 1947.) This is signified by "drawing forth," namely the paschal animal. That to draw it forth involves some secret thing which does not appear in the sense of the letter, is manifest.


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