All evil spirits, whoever they are, can be brought down to humbling themselves-making themselves nothing, supplicating, acknowledging that they are filthy, and to every sentiment belonging to true faith-by means of fear. And the more people love themselves, and the world, the more readily they can be brought to acknowledging and confessing, because they fear for themselves and the loss of those things they love so much. But this state is not one of real reformation, for as soon as they relapse, they are like their former selves. So other states must follow, of which there are many, so that a person, without fear or distress, may acknowledge those things that are [the essentials] of true faith. Therefore the Lord rarely allows [the use of] fears of different kinds. 1748, 24 June.