6273. 'For Manasseh was the firstborn' means since good does indeed occupy the first place. This is clear from the representation of 'Manasseh' as good belonging to the will, dealt with before; and from the meaning of 'the birthright' as the prior and higher position, dealt with in 3325, so that 'the firstborn' is the one who occupies the first place. Is anyone incapable of seeing from natural light alone, provided a superior light brightens it a little, that good occupies the first place, as also do the intentions in a person's will, and that truth occupies the second, as also do the thoughts in his mind? Is anyone also incapable of seeing that the intentions in a person's will cause him to think in one particular way and no other, consequently that the good he possesses causes him to think that this or that is true; so that truth occupies the second place and good the first? Think and reflect on whether truth that composes faith can take root anywhere else than in good, or whether faith other than that which has taken root there is faith. From this you will be able to decide which is the primary or essential element for the Church, that is, for the person in whom the Church exists.

8771. 'And a holy nation' means thus the spiritual kingdom. This is clear from the meaning of 'nation' as those governed by good, dealt with in 1259, 1260, 1416, 1849, 6005; and from the meaning of 'holy' as that which has reference to truth springing from good, dealt with in 6788, 7499, 8127 (end), 8302, 8330, so that 'a holy nation' means the good from which truth is derived. Both expressions - 'a kingdom of priests' and 'a holy nation' - mean the spiritual kingdom; yet there is a difference between them. 'A kingdom of priests' means those who are governed by good from truth, whereas 'a holy nation' means those who are governed by good and by truth from this good. Those governed by good from truth use truths to look upwards to the Lord; but those governed by good and by truth from this good are with the Lord, and see truths from Him. These two states come one after the other with those who are being regenerated, in whom the spiritual kingdom, that is, the life of heaven, is implanted by the Lord. For they are led by means of truth on into good, thus into heaven since heaven consists in good; and when they are there they see truths in heaven and from heaven.