she travailed and had hard labour, (Gen. xxxv. 16,) and also that she called his name Benoni, or the son of my sorrows. Query,—whether this is not always the case in the regeneration of man, when the medium represented by Benjamin is to be formed and produced? And query, further, whether more or less of this medium is not formed and produced in every state of spiritual trial and temptation? For Benjamin, we are instructed, is a figure of truth conjoined with good, in the rational or internal man, which truth is called the spiritual of the celestial principle, and truth cannot be so conjoined with good but by the labour of temptation. Joseph, on the other hand, is a figure of the internal or rational man, from which truth is derived, which good is from a celestial origin, and therefore brings with it no labour, unless whilst Benjamin is produced, in other words, whilst truth and good are conjoining.
130. In a state of much spiritual darkness and trial, consolation was given, and deliverance effected, by the following words, powerfully impressed on the internal man, Said I not unto thee, That if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? (John xi. 40). Thus is the word of the Most High at all times near, and at all times mighty, to dispel the spirits of darkness and sorrow, and in their place to introduce the blessed angels of heavenly light and comfort. Glory be to the Most High!
131. Jesus Christ said to Peter, when he had smitten the servant of the high priest, Put up thy sword into
