3155. It would be superfluous to explain all these individual meanings since they have already been explained above in this chapter. They have been repeated for the sake of informing the natural man. In fact the introduction and joining of truth to good is like the betrothing and after that the wedding of a virgin to her husband; that is to say, she has to be informed about everything before she gives her consent. Though not visible to him these are nevertheless the things that take place in a person when truths in the natural man are being introduced and joined to good, that is, when he is being reformed. That is to say, an informing takes place first - good is informed about truth, and truth about good - and after that both parties give their consent, which is the subject in what follows next.

In regular language, "mercy" means being caring and compassionate toward people in poor states. That's a position we are all in relative to the Lord, all the time. Without Him we would be unable to choose what is good; without Him we would be unable to formulate a reasonable thought. Without Him, in fact, we would instantly cease to exist; we have life only because He constantly gives us life. So we are, quite literally, at His mercy. Fortunately, the Lord is caring and compassionate to a degree we cannot fathom. He is the source of all caring and all compassion, and of love itself. His mercy toward us never lessens, never abates, never ends; His whole purpose is to bring each of us, individually, to heaven. The meaning of "mercy" in the Bible is closely tied to this idea: it represents love in a general sense, and the desire for good that comes from love. It can also represent the desire for good and the ideas that describe it when those thoughts and desires are inspired by love of the Lord.