291. THAT THE POWER OF THE DEVIL IS MERE PHANTASY, AND HENCE BOASTING. AND HE CAN BE CAST OUT BY A SINGLE INNOCENT ONE, AND THEN BE TORMENTED OF HIMSELF It happened that one of the infernal crew drew up to me secretly, and acted deceitfully. This was inquired into that it might be made open. When he was found, he spoke many boastful things about his power. He was also invisible. I spoke with him for some time, saying that he was endowed with no power except what was permitted. Therefore he was also permitted to exercise his own powers, and after having tried in vain, he confessed that he could do nothing whatever here. And after he had been told that one infant alone could cast him down, there was sent to him one of the minor innocents, who only approached him, and as it seemed to me, was carried around him. He was thereby oppressed with such anguish that he cried out and prayed that the innocent one should leave him, because he was so straitened, and suffered such anguish, that he could not describe it. 1747, Dec. 3.