645. 'Bitumening it inside and out with bitumen' means preservation from the deluge of evil desires. This is clear from what has been stated already. In fact the member of this Church had first of all to be reformed as regards the things of his understanding. This was why he was preserved from the deluge of evil desires which would have destroyed the whole work of reformation. The original text does not in fact read 'bitumened with bitumen', but uses an expression which denotes protection and is derived from a root meaning to make satisfaction or to appease, and so embodies the same idea. Satisfying or appeasing the Lord is protection from the deluge of evil.
