men
of their earth, if they do evil, or harbour the intention of doing
it. These were, besides the pain of the joints, a painful contraction
about the middle of the belly, which is felt like compression by a
tight belt; a deprivation of respiration at times even to suffocation;
also a prohibition to eat anything but bread for a time; and, lastly,
the threat of death, if they do not discontinue doing such things,
with the deprivation, at the same time, of conjugial, parental, and
social joy; grief on this account is then also insinuated.

73. The spirits who instruct also apply themselves to their left side,
but more in front. They, too, reprove, but mildly, and then teach
them how they ought to live. They also appear dark, yet not, like the
former, as clouds, but as if clothed with sackcloth. These are
called Instructors, but the former, Chastisers When these spirits are
present, angelic spirits are also present, sitting at the head, which
they fill in a peculiar manner: their presence there is also perceived
as a gentle breathing, for they fear lest their approach and influx
should cause man to perceive the least pain or anxiety. They govern
both the chastising and the instructing spirits; the chastisers, lest
they treat the man more hardly than is permitted by the Lord, and
the instructors, that they may teach the truth. While the chastising
spirit was with me, angelic spirits were also present, and kept my
face continually cheerful and smiling, the region about the lips
prominent, and my mouth slightly open. This the angels easily effect
by means of influx, when the Lord permits. They said that they induce
such a countenance on the inhabitants of their earth, when they are
present with them.

74. If a man, after chastisement and instruction, again does evil, or
thinks to do evil, and does not restrain himself in accordance
with the precepts of truth, he is more severely punished when the
chastising spirit returns; but the angelic spirits moderate the
punishment according to the intention in the deeds, and the will in
the thoughts. From these facts it may appear, that their angels who
sit at the head have a kind of judicial power over man, since they
permit, moderate, restrain, and influence. It was said, however, that
it is not they who judge, but that the Lord alone is Judge, and that
all things which they enjoin on the chastising and instructing spirits
inflow into them from Him, and that it appears as if it were