Verse 15. It is necessary, therefore, to watch what passes in the soul with jealous care, for it was perceived that nothing from self which simulates good in externals is to be worshiped in the place of the pure goodness and truth which proceeds from the Lord's Humanity in that state in which the soul received illustration from the Lord, proceeding from the Divine Love, as to what is necessary for salvation.

770. 'Noah's wife' means the Church itself, and 'the three wives of his sons with them' the derivative Churches themselves. This is clear from what has been stated, that is to say, when the member of the Church is mentioned by name, the all of the Church is meant, or as it is called, the head of the Church. 'Wife' in that case is the Church, as shown already in 252, 253. It is different when 'man and wife' or 'male and female' are mentioned in the Word. In that case 'man' and 'male' mean things of the understanding, which are the truths of faith, while 'wife' and 'female' mean things of the will, which are the goods of faith.