4507. 'And whatever was in the city, and whatever was in the field they took' means every truth and good of the Church. This is clear from the meaning of 'the city' as doctrine, and so the truth of the Church, dealt with in 402, 2268, 2449, 2712, 2943, 3216, 4492, 4493, and from the meaning of 'the field' as the Church in regard to good, and so as the good of the Church, dealt with in 2971, 3310, 3766, 4440, 4443. Consequently 'whatever was in the city, and whatever was in the field' means every truth and good of the Church.

1388. The second kind of perception, as has been stated, is common to all, existing with angels to the height of perfection, and with spirits according to the particular character of each one; that is to say, they know the character of another as soon as he approaches, even when he does not say a word. It shows itself immediately by means of a certain remarkable influx. A good spirit is recognized not only from the goodness within him but also from the faith there, and from each word he uses as he is speaking, while a wicked spirit is recognized from his wickedness and unbelief, and from each word he uses as he is speaking. They are recognized so plainly that one could never be mistaken. Something similar occurs among men who likewise, from another person's gestures, looks, and speech, are sometimes able to know what he is thinking, even though something different is expressed in his speech. With man such knowledge is natural, but it has its origin in and receives its character from that which exists in spirits, and so from the spirit of the individual himself and from his communication with the world of spirits. This communicative perception from this source derives in the first place from the Lord's will that all goods should be communicable and that all people should be stirred by mutual love and so be happy. This being so, such perception reigns universally among spirits also.