952. And girt about the breasts with golden girdles. That this signifies spiritual Divine good, containing truths in order and connection, is evident from the signification of a golden girdle, as denoting what contains in order and in connection. For a zone or girdle incloses the garments and contains them. The reason why it contains truths in order and connection is, that truths are signified by garments, especially by garments of linen. The reason why it is said to be spiritual good which contains is, that by the breast, which was girt about, is signified that good; and also by gold, of which the girdles were made. Similar things are signified where it is said that the
Son of man in the midst of the lampstands appeared girt about the paps with a golden girdle,
which may be seen explained above (n. 65).
That a zone or girdle signifies a common bond to contain all things in order and connection, may be seen in Arcana Coelestia, (9828).
What the girdle of the ephod signifies may be seen (n. 9837) and what the belt of Aaron's coat (n. 9944). Similar things are also signified by a girdle or zone in other parts in the Word, as in Isaiah (11:5; 23:10; Jeremiah 13:1-7).
Continuation concerning the First Precept:-
[2] He who supposes that he acknowledges and believes that there is a God, before he abstains from the evils mentioned in the Decalogue - especially from the love of ruling, from delight in it, and from the love of possessing the goods of the world, from the delight in so doing, and not from the delight in uses is deceived. A man may confirm himself, as much as possible, in the belief that there is a God, from the Word, from preaching, from books, from the light of reason; and he may, consequently, persuade himself that he believes; still he does not believe, if the evils arising from the love of self and of the world are not removed. The reason is, that evils and pleasure in them stand in the way, keep back and repel the goods from heaven and their delights, and confirmation therefrom. And before heaven confirms, there is only lip belief, which in itself is not faith, and not the faith of the heart, which is real faith. A lip faith is faith in externals; faith of the heart is faith in internals. When the internals are crowded with evils of every kind, then, the externals being removed, as is the case with every man after death, he rejects from them also the belief that there is a God.
