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ternal form; for it is self-love and the love of the world, or a desire to secure honors and promote gain and thereby reputation, which inflames them, and presents an appearance of what is holy, sometimes to such a degree that nothing of pretence is perceivable. And in such case neither is it credited by themselves, when yet they are in the midst of evil spirits who are on such occasions in a similar state, and aspire and inspire.

That evil spirits can be in such a state, and that they are so while they are in externals and are puffed up by self-love and the love of the world, has been given me to know by much experience. Such have no communication with heaven in themselves. But they who hear and apprehend the words which they speak, in case they are in a pious and holy internal principle, have communication. For it is of no consequence from whom the voice of good and truth proceeds, provided their lives be not manifestly wicked; for this causes scandal. (A. C. 4311.)

All kings, whoever they are and of whatever character, by virtue of the principle of royalty appertaining to them, represent the Lord. In like manner all priests, whoever or of whatever character they are, by virtue of the priestly principle. The principle of royalty (regium) and the priestly principle (sacerdotale) is holy, whatever be the nature and character of the person who ministers therein. Hence it is that the Word taught by a wicked person is just as holy as when taught by a