world of spirits is effected; and through the angels, with heaven. As
long as a man is not regenerated, he is governed quite otherwise than
when he is regenerated. While unregenerated, there are evil spirits
with him, who dominate him so fully that the angels, though present,
can scarcely do more than guide him, so that he shall not hurl himself
into the lowest evil, and bend him to some good--to some good by means
of his own desires, indeed, and to some truth through even fallacies
of sense. Then, through the spirits who are with him, he has
communication with the world of spirits, but not so much with heaven,
for the evil spirits rule with him, and the angels only avert their
rule. When, however, a man is regenerated, then the angels rule and
inspire in him all good and truth, and a horror and dread of evil and
falsity. The angels lead the man indeed, but serve only as ministers,
for it is the Lord alone, Who, by angels and spirits, governs man.

--_Arcana Coelestia, n._ 50

It is an office of the angels to inspire charity and faith in a man,
to observe the direction his enjoyments take, and to restrain and
bend them to good, as far as they can in man's free choice. They are
forbidden to act violently, and so to break a man's cupidities and
principles; but are bidden to act gently. It is also an office of
theirs to govern evil spirits who are from hell. When evil spirits
infuse evils and what is false, the angels instill what is true and
good, by which they at least temper an evil. Infernal spirits are
continually assaulting, and angels constantly giving protection.
Especially do the angels call forth goods and truths which are with a
man, and oppose them to the evils and falsities which the evil spirits
excite. Hence a man is in the midst, nor does he apperceive the evil
or the good; and being in the midst, is free to turn himself to the