It is a condition common to all in the heavens and on earth that they live in society, and that without companions it is not life; that is, that everyone [lives] by virtue of all others in the universe, and specifically, of similar companions. It follows from this that the life of everyone is through others-something that is so obvious in the heavens that no one denies it. It is only spirits not yet become angels, especially evil ones, who deny it, ascribing their life to themselves. On this subject I have frequently debated with them, and often it has been actually proven to them. For when they doubted and denied it, their companions sometimes confessed that it had been they who had spoken through the spirit in question; and the same in other instances.