8. A Memorable Relation Respecting a Council in Constantinople 1. There was a Synod in Constantinople, where the spiritual things of the church were discussed. 2. Those on the left were divided into four companies, all of which denied that spiritual things may be comprehended [by man]. 3. The first of these companies declared, that man becomes insane when he thinks on such things; the second, that he becomes like a beast; the third asserted, that man is like a stock; and the fourth, that he is, as it were, blind. 4. On the right were those who declared that man is not a man, unless he is able naturally and rationally to think concerning spiritual things. 5. Among them also were four companies. The first declared, that he who is in enlightenment thinks from God the Father; the second, that he thinks from the Holy Spirit; the third, that his thought is from the Triune God; and the fourth, that it is from the Lord who is the Word. 6. After they had finished their ratiocinations, they were encompassed by a column of cloud, which was dark on one side and bright on the other, and the brightness shone in various colors before . . . [?] 7. This brightness flowed vividly into the eyes of the first cohort on the right, and [a voice was heard] saying, that they were in a fantasy; that they saw a star, and thought it was fixed, when yet it was unstable and evanescent; to the second it said, that they saw fish flying in the air, and a hawk in the air devouring them; to the third, that they saw a cat in a cellar, and an owl in a corner, looking at each other; and to the fourth, that they saw the Word in light, encompassed with a shining brightness, and a rainbow over it. 8. They were not able to see one another, because the vision of their eyes was affected by the color which flowed in. 9. At last an angel came from the heaven of the Lord. He raised the cloud, so that they could see one another as in the natural light of day. 10. The companies [on the left] left the temple through their gate: and the companies on the right through theirs; and to the last of these companies the angel gave palms, and put laurels on their heads; but to the rest he did not give anything. 11. Those on the left had said that there was nothing spiritual in our theology, only in faith, in which nothing is seen; not in charity, not in the remission of sins, not in regeneration, nor in the use of the sacrament, as soon as thought enters into them. But again they said that all things of the church are spiritual, as soon as nothing is seen in them. 12. [They said further] that when attempting to reflect on the things of the church, we are like an eagle in the ether, and like a bird under an air pump. 13. They said, "What can you see in abstract things, and in such as are above the understanding?" 14. Sometimes I was almost persuaded that they were angels; when yet they were like putrid wood that shines on the outside. 15. In the world man is twofold; after death all become single. In the world man has a sensation of both [his internal and external]. This is changed after death. 16. What pious and wise man would not like to know the fate of his life after death? Wherefore the general principles have been revealed, from which he may know it, if he choose. 17. The delight of all in hell is to injure the neighbor, and to blaspheme God; and this delight springs from their heart or their will. They are, however, restrained by punishments from acting according to their delights. 18. The delight of all in heaven consists in doing good to the neighbor, and in blessing God, and indeed from the heart or will, and at the same time by deed. 19. Man's interior is his spirit, the interior of that his will; the interior of the will is his love, and the interior of that his delight. The consociation of all is according to delights. 20. (N. B. That consociations are according to odors, will be shown in a special memorable relation.)