4369. 'Inasmuch as I have seen your face, as though seeing the face of God, and you have accepted me' means the affection itself within that perception by which it was instilled reciprocally. This is clear from the meaning of 'seeing a face, as though seeing the face of God' as affection within perception, for 'the face' means things that are interior, 358, 1999, 2434, 3527, 3573, 4066, and 'the face of God' all good, 222, 223, which, when it flows in, imparts affection within perception; and from the meaning of 'accepting me' as instilled affection. It is evident from what has been stated immediately above about the instilling of affection, and so from the sequence of thought, that instilled affection is meant.

223. Since the Lord's face is mercy, peace, and all good, it is clear that He always looks with mercy on anybody, and never turns His face away from anybody. Instead it is man, when governed by evil, who turns away his face, as the Lord has said through Isaiah,

Your iniquities are what separate you from your God, and your sins what cause His face ¹ to hide from you. Isaiah 59:2.

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