2225. THAT EACH AND ALL THINGS [PROCEED] FROM MERCY. Inasmuch as men, spirits, and angels can effect nothing of themselves, but [all things] are granted them by the Lord, they being merely organic powers, it was granted me to see from spiritual idea, that all and each [proceed] from mercy, inasmuch as those who are such that they cannot lead themselves at all, although they think so, and of themselves are foolish and insane, could not but have perished did not the Lord have compassion on such as are foolish and insane. In spiritual idea (the fact can better be seen) their case can appear better; they argue and think [putant] from themselves, and yet their everything comes from the Lord's permission or concession, and of themselves they are more stupid and insane than infants who have never learned anything. - 1748, June 6.