because he was not of the same character. But as he still importuned
with intense desire to be let into heaven, he was sent into a society
of well-disposed spirits of this Earth; but they, too, said that he
could not be with them. In the light of heaven he was also of a black
colour, but he said that he was not of a black, but of a murrhine
colour. I was told that of such a character at first are the spirits
who afterwards are received amongst those who constitute the province
of the SEMINAL VESICLES in the Grand Man or Heaven; for in those
vesicles the semen is collected, and is enclosed in a covering of
suitable matter fit to preserve the prolific quality of the seed from
being dissipated but which may be put off in the neck of the uterus,
so that what is reserved within may be serviceable for conception, or
the impregnation of the ovulum. Hence, also, that seminal matter has
an endeavour, and as it were a burning desire, to put itself off, and
leave the semen to perform its use. Something similar to this appeared
with that spirit. He again came to me in mean raiment, and again
said that he had an ardent desire to enter heaven, and that he now
apperceived that he was such that he could go there. It was then given
me to tell him that perhaps this was a sign that he would soon be
received. The angels then told him to cast off his raiment, which,
from the ardency of his desire, he did with a quickness that could
scarcely be surpassed. By this was represented the character of the
desires of those who are in the province to which the seminal vesicles
correspond. It was said that such spirits, when prepared for heaven,
are stripped of their own garments, and clothed with new shining
garments, and become angels. They were likened to caterpillars, which,
having passed through their vile state, are changed into chrysalides
and then into butterflies, when they are given other clothing, and
also wings of a blue or yellow, a silver or golden colour. Then, too,
they are given the freedom to fly in the open air as in their heaven,