Strophe 3. Und solche freie Anbetung soll durch das Prinzip der Liebe und folglich durch das Gut der Liebe im niedrigsten Grad des natürlichen Menschen, was den Verstand betrifft, und im niedrigsten Grad des Willens, was den Willen betrifft, als vom Herrn kommend anerkannt werden.

3876. 'For I have borne him three sons' means that which happens next. This is clear from what has been stated above in 3871. That which happens next, meant here by 'three sons', is the arrival of charity. For when a person is being regenerated, that is, becoming the Church, the first thing is his need to know and understand what the truth of faith is; the second is his determination to will and do it; and the third comes when he has an affection for it. When a person has an affection for truth, that is, when he experiences delight and blessing in acting in accordance with truth, charity or mutual love has arrived in him. This next stage is what is meant here by 'I have borne him three sons'.