816. When, therefore, a soul is admitted into heaven or into other places agreeable to him, it cannot thence be concluded that they will become angels and be more acceptable than others, as is commonly believed. But because all things take place by permission and with leave, they are therefore apparently sent back to spirits, so that these spirits may find out as of themselves, either covertly or openly, of what quality they are, and may judge, as it were, in their own way concerning them. But still all these things are ruled by the Lord. 1748, Feb. 16.