Sin and Reflections in Water
No. 304
Water, as I have observed elsewhere, is a type of sin or the corruption of man, and of the state of misery that is the consequence of it. It is like sin in its flattering appearance. How smooth and harmless does the water oftentimes appear, and as if it had paradise and heaven in its bosom. Thus when we stand on the banks of a lake or river, how flattering and pleasing does it oftentimes appear, as though under were pleasant and delightful groves and bowers, or even heaven itself in its clearness, enough to tempt one unacquainted with its nature to descend thither; but indeed, it is all a cheat. If we should descend into it, instead of finding pleasant, delightful groves and garden of pleasure, and heaven in its clearness, we should meet with nothing but death, a land of darkness, or darkness itself, etc. See Proverbs 5:3–6. - “Images,” no. 117