153. * CONCERNING THE PERTINACITY OF EVIL SPIRITS IN BRINGING EVIL UPON MEN I have learned from experience at different times, that evil spirits in no wise desist from doing evil to man, but most pertinaciously persist, so that whenever the opportunity is afforded, they persist for many days, and indeed continually without ceasing. This was clearly shown me on several occasions by the fact that they brought pains to various parts of my body at times, in the feet so that I could scarcely walk, in the dorsal nerves, so that I could scarcely stand on my feet but stumbled, and likewise in parts of the head and this so pertinaciously that the pain and similar sufferings lasted continuously for quite a time. I have learned clearly from those who spoke with me that these pains were brought on by evil spirits; for during conversation with them the pains were eased and aggravated, and indeed suddenly with various changes, so this was sufficiently evident to me from the variation, etc. It would be tedious to relate the experiences. * For nos. 149-151, see after n. 205. For n. 152, see after n. 199. See also Special Preface, p. ix.