hatreds, and thus that they are damned. Some of them, when in such a
state, even cry out against heaven; but for this they are forgiven,
because it proceeds from despair. The Lord restrains them from
indulging in vituperation beyond fixed limits. When they have passed
through extreme suffering, the corporeal [principles] with them being
then as it were dead, they are finally saved. It was also said of them
that, during their life on their earth, they had believed in a certain
supreme Creator without a Mediator; but when they are saved, they are
also instructed that the Lord is the only God, Saviour, and Mediator.
I have seen some of them, after they had passed through extreme
suffering, taken up into heaven; and when they were received there, I
have apperceived such a tenderness of joy from them as drew tears from
my eyes.




THE SPIRITS AND INHABITANTS OF THE MOON.


111. Some spirits appeared overhead, and voices like thunders were
heard thence; for their voices thundered forth just as thunders do
from the clouds after lightnings. I supposed that there was an immense
multitude of spirits, who had acquired the art of uttering their
voices with such a sound. The more simple spirits who were with me
laughed at them, at which I greatly marvelled. The cause of their
laughter was soon disclosed, and it was, that the spirits who
thundered were not many, but few, and were also small as children, and
that on former occasions they had terrified them by such sounds, and
yet were quite unable to do them the least harm. In order that I might