It is well known that all are guided by the Lord, yet one person more easily than another. All could be influenced by the Lord to thinking, speaking and doing things, but because many, many people do not have faith and are consequently not in order, it is more difficult to guide them in this respect, that the Lord does not want to break them [Is. 42:3]. Thus He does not want to make them think, speak and do what would go contrary to their desires, which to them are freedom. So they are permitted to think, speak and act in and according to their desires, so that they may be bent toward good. Those who have faith, however, and thereby a deeper knowledge of the truths of religion, are not broken, because they know and are moved by what is of heaven. Therefore, because their thoughts, speech and actions are to a greater extent in a spiritual order, they are guided more easily than others. 1748, 6 June.