4397. 'And he bought the portion of the field' means making the good that springs from that truth its own. This is clear from the meaning of 'buying' as making one's own, and from the meaning of 'the portion of the field' as good springing from that truth. For 'the field' means the Church as regards good and so means good itself, see 2971, 3196, 3317, 3500, 3508, 3766.

3500. 'And go out to the field' means where a good ground exists. This is clear from the meaning of 'the field' as the good that constitutes the Church and also the good taught by doctrine, dealt with in 2971, 3196, 3310, 3317 - thus a ground that is good.