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 they searched, although a great multitude were present; for the interiors of the strangers were not opened in the same degree as the interiors of the angels who lived there; hence neither was their sight. Shortly after they were seized with such intense anguish that they scarcely knew whether they were alive or not. Therefore they quickly returned to the heaven whence they came, glad to come among their own, and promising that they would no more covet higher things than were in agreement with their life. I have also seen some let down from a superior heaven, and so entirely deprived of their wisdom as not to know what their own heaven was. It is otherwise when the Lord, as frequently happens, elevates angels from an inferior to a superior heaven, that they may see its glory. In such cases they are first prepared and encompassed with intermediate angels, through whom communication is effected. It is evident from these things that the three heavens are most distinct from each other.

Those, however, who belong to the same heaven can hold intercourse with every one there; but the delights of their intercourse are according to their affinities for good. Although the heavens are so distinct that the angels of one heaven cannot associate with those of another, still the Lord conjoins all of them by immediate and mediate influx; by immediate influx from Himself into all the heavens, and by mediate influx from one heaven