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.

2678. 'He sent her away' means that He left the exterior man immersed in the proprium. This becomes clear from the meaning of 'being sent away' when this is done by Abraham, who represents the Lord; and also from the first state of those who are being reformed and becoming spiritual. Their first state is a state when they imagine that they do what is good and think what is true of themselves, thus from what is properly their own. Nor during this state do they know anything different. And when they are told that everything good and everything true originates in the Lord, they do not, it is true, reject the idea; yet they do not in their hearts accept it because they do not feel or inwardly perceive that anything flows in from any other source than themselves. Such being the state at first of all who are being reformed, the Lord therefore leaves them immersed in the proprium. Nevertheless without their knowing it they are led by means of their proprium.