Verse 14. But the quality of him who, being a man of the church, is vastated as to all good and truth, because he has corrupted and falsified them, is such, that he must be separated from the church, since he has confirmed himself in a state of opposition to it, although he has been in its primary truths, which teach that faith in the understanding must be followed by obedience in the life.

749. 'Male and female' means truth and good. This is clear from what has been stated already at Chapter 6:19 where 'male and female' have reference to birds, but 'male and mate' ¹ to beasts. The reason is also stated there, namely, that things of the will are married to those of the understanding, but less so those of the understanding regarded in themselves to those of the will. The former exist as male and mate ¹ but the latter as male and female. Now because here the subject first of all is the temptation of that man as regards things of the understanding, as has been stated, the phrase 'male and female' is used, and conflict, or temptation as regards things of the understanding, is meant.

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