I was occasioned to speak with a certain simple spirit whom other spirits were annoying on account of his simplicity, and through whom they were speaking and whom they presented to speak to me-in which behavior there was cunning. But he, having been drawn away into a different society, was speaking from a simple heart, saying that he wanted to speak not with me, because I am nothing, but with the Lord. There was such simplicity in his speaking and conversation that I knew he had been able to speak with the Lord, because as [the simple] speak, so they are. The spirits were indignant. They imagined that it was they who should be admitted, because they were clever and knew a great deal, rather than such a simple person, which they also declared. He was then lifted up into a higher realm, and while being lifted he said that on the way he is being hindered by many spirits. These, therefore, are the simple in heart and the ones who before the learned, and still more before those who think themselves wise on their own, are admitted to the Lord-because they believe what they are saying, nor is there any doubt and negativity in their thoughts, such as there is in the thoughts of those who think they become wise on their own. 1748, 22 July.