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 in a spiritual-rational degree. By the fir tree is meant man's natural principle, as to good and affection; the pine tree, the natural principle as to truth or knowledge of an inferior degree; and the box tree is the understanding of both good and truth. Now, all these are of the external man, and must be united by regeneration before man can become truly spiritual. The natural principle of man, which is signified by the fir tree, is, from his birth, defiled with hereditary evils; but not so his spiritual principle, because the birth of this is from the Lord alone. This natural principle, therefore, must be purified, or brought into obedience to the spiritual life: this, however, cannot be done whilst man regards the world and himself, in preference to heaven and his neighbour. But the spiritual man, who looks at worldly and corporeal things as means only, and not as ends, loves and prefers his neighbour to himself, and loves the things of heaven in preference to those of the world. In him the natural principle is in obedience to the spiritual; and when the internal and external of man, or the will and the understanding, are thus united, and the union of good and truth is manifested in the outward life and conduct, this outward manifestation is signified by the box tree. Then the glory of Lebanon, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box, come together, and beautify the place of the Lord's sanctuary, or render the whole man in perfect correspondence; and thus the place of the Lord's feet, which is the external Church, and the ultimates of the Word, and of man's life, becomes glorious. In the same manner it also relates to that external worship which we offer unto our God, when we assemble in his earthly tabernacle; for in