I have also very often observed that spirits or angels acting or speaking with me supposed they were doing so from themselves, when yet it came from others more inward, and still more inward than themselves, who were also given the power to slacken and to tighten the restraints governing the will and the mouth, spoken of above [193]. When I had observed this and told them about it, they were indignant for a little while, but still could not but acknowledge it. From this we may conclude that there are intermediary functions in a continuous chain, distributed in an incomprehensible manner by God the Messiah, consequently also intermediary stages of permissions in succession, which always increase in proportion to evil intent as the descent is made toward evil spirits. It follows from all this that the permissions of higher angels look to better goals than those of lower ones, in descending order; and that a permission granted directly by God the Messiah, is for the sake of the best or final goal, namely the Heavenly Kingdom, in regard to humanity, and thereby the glory of Jehovah. 1747, the 2nd day of September (old calendar).