It was imparted, and clearly seen by a spiritual mental image, that the people of old or sons of the ancient church knew the law as if it had been written on them, that is, that as soon as they had been instructed by their parents, then led by the Lord they grasped what the law dictates, among other things that were decreed at that time, because people were then of that nature. But afterwards that quality was erased to such an extent that even if instructed a thousand times, they still could not grasp that something was true and good, but were held back [from evils] on account of punishments and by means of outer restraints. Thus when the inner person was opposed and set against [the law], it was bridled by outer restraints. So the inner law was then erased at the time when the law was decreed from Zion. 1748, 22 Sept. What the law is like with the outer person when the inner is opposed, I also grasped-that it is as if what is internal is nothing. * I. e., Sinai (see A. Acton, The Word Explained, Vol. I, p. 222, footnote 9).