Page:Arcana Coelestia (Potts) vol 1.djvu/156

 name Ishmael is explained by the saying, "Jehovah hath heard her affliction" (Gen. xvi. 11); that of Reuben, by the expression, "Jehovah hath looked upon my affliction" (Gen. xxix. 32); the name Simeon, by the saying, "Jehovah hath heard that I was less dear" (Gen. xxix. 33); and that of Judah by, "This time will I praise Jehovah" (verse 35); and an altar built by Moses was called, "Jehovah my banner" (Exod. xvii. 15). In like manner the doctrine of faith is here denominated "I have gotten a man, Jehovah," or "Cain."

. Verse 2. And she added to bear his brother Abel; and Abel was a shepherd of the flock, and Cain was a tiller of the ground. The second offspring of the church is charity, signified by "Abel" and "brother;" a "shepherd of the flock," denotes one who exercises the good of charity; and a "tiller of the ground," is one who is devoid of charity, however much he may be in faith separated from love, which is no faith.

. That the second offspring of the church is charity, is evident from the fact that the church conceives and brings forth nothing else than faith and charity. The same is signified by the first children of Leah from Jacob; "Reuben" denoting faith; "Simeon," faith in act; and "Levi," charity (Gen. xxix. 32, 33, 34), wherefore also the tribe of Levi received the priesthood, and represented the "shepherd of the flock." As charity is the second offspring of the church, it is called "brother," and is named "Abel."

. That a "shepherd of the flock" is one who exercises the good of charity, must be obvious to every one, for this is a familiar figure in the Word of both Old and New Testaments. He who leads and teaches is called a "shepherd," and those who are led and taught are called the "flock." He who does not lead to the good of charity and teach it, is not a true shepherd; and he who is not led to good, and does not learn what is good, is not of the flock. It is scarcely necessary to confirm this signification of "shepherd" and "flock" by quotations from the Word; but the following passages may be cited. In Isaiah:—