As an example, when I was convinced that the holy spirit was a third person, and that the holy spirit was* from eternity-when I was of that conviction, then if I said the least word against certain spirits, they were so disturbed that they upset me to the point that I hardly dared to think about the holy spirit, for there were very many at that time who imagined themselves to be the holy spirit. But after I had become convinced that the Lord Alone is holy, and all both angels and spirits are in themselves profane, and they are called holy by virtue of those truths and goods which are the Lord's, I am no longer disturbed, even though the same spirits, I suppose, are present. For now they do not attack me at all because I have a conviction, and conviction is like an intimate trait of character. From this as an example it may be evident what conviction is, what it is like, in that it becomes part of one's nature [see 2926], and that spirits can avail nothing against a conviction-in fact, they are of about the same conviction as the person [they are with]. For they assume his or her convictions, which are in the memory because they pertain to the understanding. 1748, 26 Aug. * The original has the plural verb "were."