573. That 'Jehovah said, My spirit will not reprove man for ever' means that man would be led in this fashion no longer is clear from what comes before and after. From what comes before it is clear that by immersing doctrinal matters or truths concerning faith in evil desires, they became people who could no longer be reproved, that is, no longer know what evil is. All ability to perceive truth and good had been wiped out by their persuasions; only that which was in keeping with their persuasions did they believe to be true. From what comes after it is clear that after the Flood the member of the Church was constituted differently. With him perception was replaced by conscience through which he could be reproved. Consequently 'reproof by the spirit of Jehovah' means an inner dictate, perception or conscience, and 'the spirit of Jehovah' the influx of truth and good, as in Isaiah also,

I will not contend eternally, nor will I be angry for ever; for the spirit from before Me would overwhelm, and I have made souls. Isaiah 57:16.