2703. IN ORDER THAT MEN OR SPIRITS MAY BE IN AN ANGELIC AND CELESTIAL SPHERE, IT IS NECESSARY THAT THEY BE IN PERSUASION FROM [de] THE LORD. It is known that science ought to precede, but science does nothing, next what is intellectual which is the first of persuasion, then persuasion thence, which is only intellectual, then interior persuasion: Unless man is in the interior persuasion of things which belong to faith in the Lord, he cannot be in an angelic and celestial sphere, for there are repugnances [contrarieties], which repugnances expel him, yea distress [him]. It was granted [me] to see this in spiritual idea. - 1748, July 29.