5515. 'The sons of our father' means having the same origin. This is clear from the meaning of 'the sons' as truths, dealt with in 489, 491, 533, 1147, 2623, 3373, and from the meaning of 'father' as good, dealt with in 2803, 3703, 3704. Consequently 'the sons of our father' means truths springing from good, thus truths having the same origin; they are all truths originating in one and the same good.

491. The same things are meant by 'sons and daughters' in verses 4, 7, 10, 13, 16, 19, 26, 30, of this chapter, but the character of a Church determines that of its 'sons and daughters', or goods and truths. Here they are truths and goods that men perceived most clearly, for they have regard to the Most Ancient Church, the head and forefather of all other Churches that followed after it.