2412. In the clemency of Jehovah unto him. That this signifies from grace and mercy, is evident from the signification of the “clemency of Jehovah,” which can be nothing else than grace and mercy. That man’s being withheld from evil and kept in good by the Lord is of His pure mercy, may be seen above (n. 1049). The reason both grace and mercy are mentioned, is (as before explained, n. 598, 981) that they who are in truth and from truth in good implore the Lord’s grace only, whereas they who are in good and from good in truth implore His mercy; and this difference results from the difference that exists in their respective states of humiliation and consequent adoration.

982. That by “Noah and his sons” is signified the Ancient Church, has been said and shown above, and is evident also from what follows.