842. MAN IS ALTOGETHER IGNORANT THAT HE IS LED BY SPIRITS AND BY MEANS OF SPIRITS That man does not know that he is led by spirits and by means of spirits is most clear and known to everyone. Nevertheless, that he is so led, and indeed manifestly, can be confirmed from a multitude of experiences. For I have seen, perceived, and heard that one spirit was led by others, and successively by others in consociation, and that the spirit nevertheless knows no other than that he is leading himself, just as does man. By what kind or species of spirits another spirit is being led can be known, but that other spirit cannot know it. In like manner, also, a spirit can similarly be led by man, while he is a spirit. Since such power has sometimes been exercised by me I myself know it, and the spirits in company with me know, perceive, and, as it were, see it; but the spirit who is being led is altogether ignorant of it, and supposes that he speaks from himself. This has been done by me at times, and I was surprised that the spirit did not perceive it, because to me it was manifest. 1748, Feb. 18.