and "fructification," which is of good, afterwards, is that the passage treats of one who is to become regenerated, and not of one who is already regenerated. [2] When the understanding is united with the will, or faith with love, the man is called by the Lord "a married land," as in Isaiah:—
Thy land shall be no more termed waste, but thou shalt be called Hephzi-bah (My delight is in her), and thy land Beulah (married), for Jehovah delighteth in thee, and thy land shall be married (lxii. 4).
The fruits thence issuing, which are of truth, are called "sons," and those which are of good are called "daughters," and this very frequently in the Word. [3] The earth is "replenished," or filled, when there are many truths and goods; for when the Lord blesses and speaks to man, that is, works upon him, there is an immense increase of good and truth, as the Lord says in Matthew:—
The kingdom of the heavens is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took and sowed in his field, which indeed is the least of all seeds, but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the heavens come and build their nests in the branches thereof (xiii. 31, 32).
A "grain of mustard-seed" is man's good before he becomes spiritual, which is "the least of all seeds," because he thinks that he does good of himself, and what is of himself is nothing but evil. But as he is in a state of regeneration, there is something of good in him, but it is the least of all. [4] At length as faith is joined with love it grows larger, and becomes an "herb;" and lastly, when the conjunction is completed, it becomes a "tree," and then the "birds of the heavens" (in this passage also denoting truths, or things intellectual) "build their nests in its branches," which are memory-knowledges. When man is spiritual, as well as during the time of his becoming spiritual, he is in a state of combat, and therefore it is said, "subdue the earth and have dominion."
56. Verse 29. And God said, Behold, I give you every herb bearing seed which is upon the faces of all the earth; and every tree in which is fruit; the tree yielding seed, to you it shall be for food. The celestial man is delighted with celestial things alone, which being in agreement with his life are called celestial food. The spiritual man is delighted with spiritual things,
