127. Men's desire to probe into mysteries of faith by means of sensory evidence and factual knowledge was not only the cause of the downfall of the Most Ancient Church, that is to say, of its descendants - to be dealt with in the next chapter; it is also the cause of the downfall of every Church. For that desire leads not only to falsities but also to evils of life.

In Isaiah 19:4 and Deuteronomy 28:50, this signifies unmercifulness. (Arcana Coelestia 6667)

In Exodus 32:12, this signifies that the people turned away from things divine; for when wrath or anger is mentioned regarding the Lord, it signifies man turning away from God. (Arcana Coelestia 10431)

In Matthew 8:28, this signifies a demonic obsession by people who, in the world, had been in falsities from evil. (Apocalypse Explained 659[6]; True Christian Religion 405[3])