By this communication a man perceives and
thinks analytically. If there were no such communication, man would no
more think than a beast, nor any differently from a beast. Indeed,
were all commerce with spirits cut off, a man would instantly die.
--_True Christian Religion, n._ 475
"MINISTERS OF HIS, THAT DO HIS PLEASURE"
Man is quite ignorant that he is governed by the Lord through angels
and spirits, and that there are at least two spirits with a man and
two angels. Through the spirits a communication of the man with the
world of spirits is effected; and through the angels, with heaven. As
long as a man is not regenerated, he is governed quite otherwise than
when he is regenerated. While unregenerated, there are evil spirits
with him, who dominate him so fully that the angels, though present,
can scarcely do more than guide him, so that he shall not hurl himself
into the lowest evil, and bend him to some good--to some good by means
of his own desires, indeed, and to some truth through even fallacies
of sense. Then, through the spirits who are with him, he has
communication with the world of spirits, but not so much with heaven,
for the evil spirits rule with him, and the angels only avert their
rule.
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