233. CONCERNING REPRESENTATIONS It has been customary with some to exhibit representations, especially of holy things, and to institute certain spectacular displays of sacred things. Exhibitions of this sort are not allowable because the idea of them remains after death, and by those who are profane this is turned into profane representations: for the state of their dispositions governs the subject-matter of the representations in their single details: wherefore, when the disposition is perverted, it follows that the rest of the things contained, that is the single particulars, are bent with it; thus they induce a sad and profane countenance. But yet similar representations are turned differently by those who are of an upright disposition, and are innocent, as I experienced this night during wakefulness. For little children together with innocent ones, were softly representing the Messiah committed to the sepulchre; in no way, however, did they present the Messiah, but another, yet in such a manner that it might be known, as from afar, that the Messiah was signified. Then also it was represented, that after the resurrection He descended to the bound in the pit, and released the captives there and led them forth with Him into heaven: also that He was united to His Divine Essence. But, as I said, all this was represented so softly and so piously that not in the least were they permitted to think of God Messiah except as it were from afar, so that there was nothing terrifying as happens on earth at such spectacular exhibitions.* 1747, Nov. 1, o.s. * Apparently a reference to the so-called Miracle, Mystery, or Passion Plays in common in the Middle Ages.