10. Men who had no internal worship, but only external rites, had to be compelled, not only through miracles, but also by fears and manifold punishments. Of such a character were the Jews and Israelites; for the church with them was only representative of the celestial things of love and the spiritual things of faith which belong to a true church. There was nothing internal to hold them in bonds, and without an internal, the external is tossed hither and thither like a reed shaken with the stormy wind. With them miracles were performed, for they could not influence their interiors, where the affection of good is united with that of truth. Even in their case, however, in order that their liberty might not be taken away, the Egyptian magicians were allowed to perform miracles like those of Moses as to outward appearance, so that their freedom of choice might be left to them. But after interior truths were revealed by the Lord, then miracles ceased, for the reasons already given.