2882. External spirits do not realize that conviction puts on a nature, from which they cannot be released
Evil spirits continually want to convince the good of their falsities, but still do not realize that this is to attack a nature and to change it, which is not possible. Once one has been imbued with a conviction that is true and good, and has been strengthened in it by the Lord so as to be held in the conviction, one can never be torn away from it. This evil spirits do not realize, imagining that a person can be corrupted by the slightest reasoning-as they tried to do with good Jews, but in vain. 1748, 22 Aug.
2882. EXTERNAL SPIRITS ARE IGNORANT, THAT PERSUASION PUTS ON NATURE, AND HENCE (THOSE WHO HAVE A PERSUASION) CANNOT BE TAKEN THEREFROM.
Evil spirits continually wish to persuade the good of their falsities, but still are ignorant that this is to fight against nature, and change it, which is impossible. He who is once [semel, I think] imbued with the persuasion of the true and good, and it is confirmed by the Lord, so that he can be held in the persuasion, can never be plucked away from thence. Evil spirits are ignorant thereof. They suppose that man can be perverted by the least ratiocination, thus that the good Jews [can be]. This nevertheless is impossible [incassum.] - 1748, August 22.
2882. Spiritus externi nesciunt, quod persuasio induat naturam, et inde eximi nequeunt
Spiritus mali continuo volunt persuadere bonis de falsitatibus suis, sed usque nesciunt, quod hoc sit impugnare naturam, et mutare eam, cum id impossibile, qui semel 1
imbuitur persuasione quod verum et bonum, et confirmatus 2
sit a Domino, sic ut teneri possit in persuasione, nusquam inde avelli potest; id nesciunt mali spiritus, putantes ex minima ratiocinatione perverti posse hominem: sic Judaeos bonos; quod tamen incassum. 1748, 22 Aug.
Footnotes:
1. The Manuscript has semul
2. In the Manuscript confirmatur inclare in confirmatus emendatum