I spoke with spirits about providence, some of whom maintain that it had been predestined that they had lived in the world as they did, and afterwards had undergone punishments as they did, as well as the fact that some are in lower circumstances than others. But the truth of the matter is that there is nothing that is not foreseen, that is, as to its outcome, because the person is of such or such a nature. It is also foreseen that if things were different, he would perish, and therefore it was provided that it would be permitted that the Lord would bend all things toward a universal purpose, thus toward the best outcome. This I learned also by actual experience. 1748, 10 April.