I just spoke with spirits about the Lord's universal government, saying that a universal cannot possibly exist unless it is in the very least parts, and that the universal consists of the very least parts, just as a general of particulars. Without the very least parts, therefore, the universal cannot possibly exist, for thus the universal entity would be nothing. This was demonstrated in a spiritual way by a general view of the soul's government in every least point of the body. If its government were not in every least part, to put each least part to its own duties and to its own work, then all things could not possibly be under its universal auspices. Even though this seemed so clear from demonstration by a spiritual view that it could not possibly be denied, yet when many spirits began to entertain doubts arising from a memory of their own particular ideas, a general darkness at once came over them. It was just like what would happen if the things just told and demonstrated were said to some present-day scholar. His doubts, gathered from many considerations, such as the souls of brute animals and such, as well as his own notions about the soul and the body, would bring on a similar, and even thicker cloud. And if some doubts arose spontaneously, then the mind would be turned away from a universal, clear idea and directed toward a particular doubt, putting all and the least thoughts in confusion, and would end up in denial; and so it would go with the rest of the doubts also. These words were said and written in the presence of a multitude of souls and spirits, and they could not bring up a single objection, because they see that the matter is as stated. For they are being withheld from raising their private doubts. 1748, 28 February.