Among all the things I have been allowed to learn from experience and from life with spirits and angels, is this, that they who are merciful in the life of the body and exercise even only a little mercy from the heart, receive in the other life an inestimable, thus inexpressible reward: namely, happiness. For all happiness comes through mercy, because from mercy. And they receive so much mercy in all things down to the very least, with the fullest sensation, together with happiness, that it is inexpressible. The same thing is true of the innocent. No comparison can be made, for each and every thing is exalted in the other life, where the body does not rage and the sensual elements of the body do not take command, but they are left to inward and more inward sensation. But to describe these matters to the comprehension of a person on earth is impossible, for while an understanding of the unknown is usually obtainable, an inward sensation of it is not, so there is no perceptive understanding, and therefore as long as people are body-bound, there is no belief. 1748, 27 June.