4706. Of their father. That this signifies of the Ancient and of the Primitive Church, is evident from the signification here of “father,” or Jacob, as being the Ancient Church (of which above, n. 4680); that the Primitive Christian Church is likewise signified; may also be seen above (n. 4690). By the Primitive Church is meant the Christian Church in its beginning. In general four churches distinct from one another are treated of in the Word. There is the church which existed before the flood and was named Man; this is called the Most Ancient Church. Next is the one that existed after the flood, which is called the Ancient Church. Then followed that with the posterity of Jacob, which was not a church, but the representative of a church; which representative is also called a religiosity. And there is the one that was set up after the Lord’s coming, which is called the Christian Church. It is this in its beginning that is called the Primitive Church.