From a spiritual mental image displayed as earlier [2423] as very crude vessels into which spiritual and heavenly things were poured by the Lord-from that same mental picture I and the spirits were enabled to see that a human on earth and a spirit from such outward vessels as those, can never know, much less fathom, what is within, consequently what their inward qualities are. For vessels cannot know this from themselves, but when spiritual and heavenly qualities are slipped in by the Lord and those outer receiving vessels are put to the service of receiving them, so as to be as it were nothing in themselves or transparent (as in the spiritual mental image), then it is allowed them to know somewhat and to perceive what has been imparted, and its quality. 1748, 28 June.