Water generally represents “natural truth,” or true concepts about day-to-day matters and physical things. Since all water ultimately flows into the seas, then, it follows that a sea represents a huge agglomeration of such natural truths -- usually all of the natural truth a person has, or all the natural truth a church has. Water in the sea mixes freely, and is easily stirred up by winds and currents. This is also true of the concepts we hold about natural things -- they are not all related to each other, and when relationships do exist they usually can change without damaging the concepts themselves. Many of the concepts are easily disputed, and arguments can arise like waves on the ocean -- generally with little effect other than a mixing of waters. But the sea also offers great bounty. We draw fish from it (spiritual food), float ships (doctrinal systems) on it, bathe in it (using true concepts to purify ourselves), and the water that evaporates from it and falls as rain (purer forms of truth that can attach to desires for good) makes life possible.

112. Internal Meaning of Jeremiah, Chapter 46

The natural of man will perish by reasonings from knowledges [scientifica]. (3)

1-6 All such knowledges are no longer of any avail, because they have been destroyed by means of reasonings. (3)

7-10 Pride in these will be lowered, and they will become falsities. (3)

11-12 They cannot be healed, because the church has been destroyed by means of these falsities. (3, 15)

13-19 The whole natural perishes, nor is there anything there but falsity and evil. (3)

20-24 All its learning which confirms falsities will perish. (3, 11)

25-26 The like will happen to others who trust in knowledges [scientifica]. (3, 11)

27-28 It is otherwise with those who are in spiritual captivity, who will constitute the church. (11, 11)