167. CONCERNING THE LIFE OF BRUTES I spoke with angels concerning the life of brutes, to the effect that they are ruled by a certain general life, which is the life of genii and spirits; for genii and spirits are classified, and are held in their order and subordination according to genera and classes, from which, because they are activities, the general life exists, and this [is received] according to the diverse faculties of brutes; as is the case with every other activity which diffuses itself and constitutes a sphere which is called the sphere of its activity, and it diffuses itself in a more subtle nature to a great, indeed, to an immense distance. It was demonstrated by many things that each genius and spirit has his own sphere of activity, and in the same way also all of them together, according to the order in which they are. Unless this order were conserved by God Messiah, everything vital on earth would perish, yea, the whole of heaven would be in confusion. This is why brutes live according to their nature, nor do they deviate from it, and why varieties [of state] are excited both according to the objects of the senses, and according to the changes of state in the blood. But because men and evil spirits live a life contrary to nature, they must be entirely ruled by God Messiah by means of angels according to classes, also by spirits to whom is given a greater power of operating when man is let into temptation. Further, unless men were ruled by God Messiah, by means of angels and spirits, their intellectual mind could by no means be opened and instructed; for man is born without understanding, and the understanding is formed in progress of time. It is otherwise in the case of brute animals.