3199. And behold there were camels coming. That this signifies directed to the general memory-knowledges in the natural man, is evident from the signification of “camels,” as being general memory-knowledges in the natural man (see n. 3048, 3071); attention was directed to these because truth was expected to come from them, as is evident from what has been frequently said and shown above in this chapter.

560. THE INTERNAL SENSE

Before proceeding further we may mention how the case was with the church before the flood. Speaking generally, it was as with succeeding churches, as with the Jewish Church before the Lord’s advent, and the Christian Church after His advent, in that it had corrupted and adulterated the knowledges of true faith; but specifically, as regards the man of the church before the flood, he in course of time conceived direful persuasions, and immersed the goods and truths of faith in foul cupidities, insomuch that there were scarcely any remains in them. When they came into this state they were suffocated as if of themselves, for man cannot live without remains; for, as we have said, it is in the remains that the life of man is superior to that of brutes. From remains, that is, through remains from the Lord, man is able to be as man, to know what is good and true, to reflect upon matters of every kind, and consequently to think and to reason; for in remains alone is there spiritual and celestial life.