Verses 1-3. A state of temptation is described, causing aversion from the Lord, and the predominance of lusts in the external man; but intercession is made and deliverance follows.

Verses 4-6 and 10-15. Another state of temptation succeeds, in which there is a desire, externally, to return into the delights of the merely natural man, and a want of confidence in the Lord internally, resulting in a state of despair.

Verses 7-9. The good of truth is described, with which, in the temptation, the man of the church is disgusted.

Verses 16-18. Concerning the orderly arrangement of truths by the Lord, revelation, the conjunction of truth with good, and the appropriation of good.

Verses 19-23. But the corrupted man desires only natural delights; while the truly spiritual man is in doubt and distress, and consequently receives consolation.

Verses 24-30. And now, therefore, a new arrangement of truths actually occurs, and consequently revelation, and the power to teach.

Verses 31-35. Besides which, there is an abundant supply of natural delight, which, with the true man of the church, is good legitimately appropriated; but the wicked pervert this good by application to lusts, and, therefore, suffer the destruction of remains, and total vastation. But the good experience a change of state, coming into peace and tranquillity in externals.