2239. These and the like circumstances show that if the Lord were not controlling the universe, the whole world of spirits, and thus the human race, would perish in a moment. So the instant the reins are slackened, or freedom is momentarily given, it is also at once checked. The spirits were told this, and they cannot deny it because this is the fact of the matter, and now they are also confirming it. 1748, 7 June.