Day 7: Saturday, March 28

Matthew 26:69-75. And Peter sat outside in the courtyard; and one maid came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto those who were there, This man was also with Jesus of Nazareth.

And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the Man. And after a while came unto him they who stood by, and said to Peter, Truly thou also art one of them; for thy speech betrays thee. Then he began to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the Man. And straightway the cock crowed. And Peter remembered the saying of Jesus, which He said unto him, Before the cock crows, thou shalt deny Me three times. And going outside, he wept bitterly.

Arcana Coelestia 6073:3. That faith would reject the Lord is evident from the representation by Peter when he denied Him thrice; that he did this at night, signifies the last time of the church, when there is no longer any charity (see n. 6000); that he did it thrice signifies that this condition is then complete (n. 1825, 2788, 4495, 5159); that it was before the cock crew, signifies before newness of the church would arise, for the twilight and morning which follow the night signify the first of the church (n. 2405, 5962).

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