6273. 'For Manasseh was the firstborn' means since good does indeed occupy the first place. This is clear from the representation of 'Manasseh' as good belonging to the will, dealt with before; and from the meaning of 'the birthright' as the prior and higher position, dealt with in 3325, so that 'the firstborn' is the one who occupies the first place. Is anyone incapable of seeing from natural light alone, provided a superior light brightens it a little, that good occupies the first place, as also do the intentions in a person's will, and that truth occupies the second, as also do the thoughts in his mind? Is anyone also incapable of seeing that the intentions in a person's will cause him to think in one particular way and no other, consequently that the good he possesses causes him to think that this or that is true; so that truth occupies the second place and good the first? Think and reflect on whether truth that composes faith can take root anywhere else than in good, or whether faith other than that which has taken root there is faith. From this you will be able to decide which is the primary or essential element for the Church, that is, for the person in whom the Church exists.

929. 'I will no more strike every living thing, as I have done' means that man would never again be able to destroy himself in that way. This is now clear from what has been said above. The situation is this: When a person has been regenerated he is withheld from the evil and falsity residing with him. At this point he does not perceive anything other than that he does good and thinks truth from himself. This however is an appearance or illusion, for he is being held back from evil and falsity, powerfully so. And being withheld from evil and falsity he cannot destroy himself. If that rein on him were slackened in the least or if he were abandoned to himself he would rush into every evil and falsity.