4718. CONCERNING A CERTAIN INFERNAL WHO HAD A REMARKABLE PERCEPTION OF TRUTH. ADAM LEJEL. Amongst those, in the life of the body, had been one who appeared, in outward form, endowed with much sagacity and prudence, nor was anyone able to assert but, that he possessed sound reason, even as regards spiritual things. But it was ascertained that he ascribed all things to merely natural causes, because he had lived a natural life only, as above described. In the other life, he had a remarkable perception of truth, so great that they supposed he could have been converted; and he desired it to such an extent that many were on his side, because he was in such remarkable perception. But it was said to him that this avails nothing, but the life; the rather as he had employed reason to confirming evils and thence falses; but if that [the life] was to become better, he must put on another nature: thus would exterior and interior evil spirits be removed, especially those in whose company he is, and to whom he is bound; and that this could not take place without much time, and the loss of his acquired life. How much time is [needed] for the reforming of the upright, is known; how much more for such persons! And, meanwhile, he must serve the evil as their organ or subject, especially the deceitful and the most deceitful. Hence it was plain, that it is the life, not any faculty of reasoning well and apprehending, [that avails].