789. The fluctuations of the man of this church are described here; first, by its being said that the “waters (that is, falsities) increased;” then, that they “bare up the ark” and that it was “lifted up from off the earth;” afterwards, that the “waters were strengthened, and increased greatly upon the and finally, that the “ark went upon the face of the waters.” But to explain each degree of the fluctuation would be too prolix, and unnecessary. It is sufficient to know that they are here described. We will merely mention what is signified by the statement that the ark was lifted up from off the earth, and went upon the face of the waters. As no one can know this unless he is informed how man is withheld from evils and falsities, and as this is a hidden thing, it shall be briefly explained. Speaking generally, every man, even the regenerate, is such that if the Lord did not withhold him from evils and falsities he would cast himself headlong into hell. The very moment he is not withheld, he rushes headlong into it. This has been made known to me by experience, and was also represented by a horse (as before described, n. 187, 188). This withholding from evils and falsities is in effect a lifting up, so that evils and falsities are perceived below, and the man above. Concerning this elevation, of the Lord’s Divine mercy hereafter. It is this elevation which is signified by the “ark being lifted up from off the earth, and going upon the face of the waters.”