When, however, a man is regenerated, then the angels rule and
inspire in him all good and truth, and a horror and dread of evil and
falsity. The angels lead the man indeed, but serve only as ministers,
for it is the Lord alone, Who, by angels and spirits, governs man.
--_Arcana Coelestia, n._ 50
It is an office of the angels to inspire charity and faith in a man,
to observe the direction his enjoyments take, and to restrain and
bend them to good, as far as they can in man's free choice. They are
forbidden to act violently, and so to break a man's cupidities and
principles; but are bidden to act gently. It is also an office of
theirs to govern evil spirits who are from hell. When evil spirits
infuse evils and what is false, the angels instill what is true and
good, by which they at least temper an evil. Infernal spirits are
continually assaulting, and angels constantly giving protection.
Especially do the angels call forth goods and truths which are with a
man, and oppose them to the evils and falsities which the evil spirits
excite. Hence a man is in the midst, nor does he apperceive the evil
or the good; and being in the midst, is free to turn himself to the
one or to the other.
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