197. CONCERNING THE ARRANGEMENT IN ORDER OF EVIL AND WICKED SPIRITS That spirits are distributed into classes according to genera and species was, I think, said before [n. 161]. With regard to any society in particular, the spirits are so distributed that in the middle are the worst, being those who, having been instructed, fell away and darkened the light of truth; those who recede thence towards the boundary are by degrees better; those in the boundary are singular, but they have not been previously instructed. This distribution is effected by God Messiah, so that the worst ones may be restrained and repressed, for they can neither act nor speak except in consociation. Those who are exterior are permitted to speak or act, as many or as one, according to the judgment of God Messiah; thus there is the collective speech of many, and this is not so harmful in temptations. Also, those who are interior are permitted to speak and act, as in the case of interior temptations. 1747, Sept. 4, o.s.