838. THE INTERNAL SENSE In the two previous chapters the subject was the new Church called Noah, that is, the individual constituting that Church. First of all they dealt with his preparation for receiving faith, and by way of faith charity. Then they dealt with his temptation, and after that with the way he was protected when the Most Ancient Church was dying out. In the present chapter the subject is his state following temptation and the actual order in which this was effected. At the same time the subject is the order in which this is effected in all who are to be regenerated. For the Word of the Lord is such that when it deals with one it is dealing with each and all, the only difference being according to the disposition of each one. This is the universal sense of the Word.