216. * the angels and spirits around me, and this was at the same time demonstrated to me by experience so diverse that it would be a very large undertaking to set it all forth.)* If this were not so, mankind could never do anything but disturb heaven by its wickedness - something guarded against most wisely by God the Messiah, etc. etc. It now follows from this, that a superficial person who is wicked - even at heart an idolater, as this stock quite evidently was for the most part - can nonetheless portray holy qualities, especially when sanctified by things which to the innermost choir of angels, symbolize what is most holy, as though portraying God the Messiah, etc. etc. In this way, what is most holy is shown to heaven and as it were inspired. [Interaction (Correspondence); Outer; Inward]** [See for the sake of context WE 5434-36, continuing the explanation of verse 22.] 5437. That outer holiness can also come over a wicked person may be quite well known from rituals that produce this effect. While an outer holiness can indeed seize the mind, especially when the angels round about are moved, yet this is something separate from the person. But outer holiness arising from inner holiness is very different. About these matters I could make several observations also, but I do not * This sentence is emphasized in the original by the word "Obs." written in the margin. ** These also clearly refer to the whole of WE 5433.