4432. 'The prince of the land' means which was first and foremost among the Churches. This is clear from the meaning of 'the prince' as that which is first and foremost, dealt with in 1482, 2089, and from the meaning of 'the land' as the Church, dealt with in 662, 1066, 1067, 1262, 1733, 1850, 2117, 2138, 2928, 3355, 3686, 3705.

1262. From this it now becomes clear that 'the earth' here also means the Church; for when the earth is mentioned, one's only perception is of the nation or people there, and when a nation or people is envisaged one's only perception is of their character. Consequently 'the earth' means nothing other than the Church, as shown already in 662, 1066.