404. CONCERNING THE LIFE AND PUNISHMENT OF THOSE WHO DURING THEIR LIFE WANTED TO BECOME RICH, AND ONLY CONSIDER THEMSELVES There were certain spirits who during their life only wanted to enrich themselves, and indeed by that craft to which diligent merchants are accustomed, namely, that they insinuate themselves [into the company of others] so that they may acquire wealth from them, hankering after their riches to which they direct their "animus" under [the guise of] friendship. These spirits wander about, and wherever they come, they inquire whether they can be with them, saying that they are poor, for which reason they are received; but because they hanker after their wealth or possessions, they are expelled thence. Therefore they again wander around and do similar things until they have learnt to speak one thing and think another, which also they do so diligently that spirits can scarcely know otherwise than that they are such as they say they are. Such a spirit also came to me and asked whether he might stay there by serving, to whom I replied that I am nothing, but that everyone is received by God Messiah. But because they were such, and perhaps wanted to say one thing with their mouth, and another in their heart, there was, therefore, given the power over one of them to punish him in a miserable manner, for there were many dissentient spirits who wanted to have him as a subject for speaking and acting. Since these were contrary [to one another], that subject was miserably rent, that is, being acted upon on both sides he was lacerated, and this continuously for about an hour's duration. Indeed by means of phantasies they induced upon him a kind of body, and thus endeavored to lacerate the whole and the parts. How much pain he felt therefrom I cannot know, for the pain is mitigated according to the degree and quality of the simulation. The one who spoke with me said it was most cruel. It becomes more and more painful as the phantasy that there is a body is induced, with a sense like that of the body; also as far as weariness and resistance are induced, so that he wants to be liberated and delivered from those spirits, for it is impossible for him to be able to free himself. It is a species of minute rending. The lacerating spirits admitted that they derived much pleasure from thus being able to torture souls. It is therefore permitted to their associate spirits, in order and process of time, to torture them so that they may learn thereby to abstain from, and at length abhor, the like pleasure. Moreover, they were next sent away, and, with a changed speech, they went to other spirits that they might insinuate themselves; but they were again cast out because those spirits recognized them, and said that they were insinuating themselves in order to despoil them of their possessions, for the phantasy is also induced by spirits that they have wealth, which such spirits hanker after. They related that they were also penalized elsewhere. Such a condition awaits those who, under the guise of friendship, impose upon others only for the purpose that they may be enriched by their wealth, as do very many in the world. They wander about as if in desert places, and when they find companions, whom they deceive, they are cast out with punishment, so that they are more miserable than such men can believe. These latter words are written from him who has been among the robbers, and torn in this manner. 1747, Dec. 26.