2. Let all the articles in four treatises ¹ be set out in their order.

Footnotes:

2. Exscribantur omnes articuli in 4 tractatibus ordine.

1759. The speech of celestial spirits cannot easily pass into the articulated sounds or expressions of human speech, for it cannot accommodate itself to any expression containing a shrill sound or rather harsh doubling of consonants. Nor can it accommodate itself to any expression which contains any idea based on factual knowledge. Consequently celestial spirits rarely influence speech other than through affections, which soften expressions like a stream or like a breath of air. The spirits who are mid-way between celestial and spiritual have a sweet form of speech which flows like the gentlest breeze, soothing the organs that receive it, and softening the actual expressions used. It is also swift and sure. The fluency and beauty of that speech is a product of the celestial good contained in their ideas which possesses the same qualities. Their speech is in no way out of keeping with their thought - everything sweet and harmonious in the next life derives from goodness and charity. The speech of the spiritual spirits also is fluent, but not so soft and gentle. These are principally the ones who use speech.