Evil.

C. Did I not say that whatever the Number be, yet the Spirits departed were employed in the same Bussiness? So, as to the Number of original Devils, whereof Sathan is the chief, I cannot determine. But you need not doubt that there are more Spirits departed in that Place you in a loose general Sense call Hell, by almost an Infinity, by what are gone to that Place, which in the like Sense, you call Heaven, which likewise are employed to the same Purpose. And I can assure you, by the Bye, that there are as great Differences between Angels, both good and bad, as there are amongst Men, with Respect to their Sense, Knowledge, Cleverness, and Cunning or Action. Nay, which is more, the departed Spirits on both Sides, out doe Severals, from their j^st Departure, of the Original Angels; This you’l think a Paradox, yet ’tis true.

O. I don’t doubt of it, but what is that to my Question, concerning which I am sollicitous?

C. Take a little Patience, Sir; from what I have said, you might have understood me, if you had your Thoughts about you, but, I shall explain my self to you. Both the good and bad Angels have their stated Times of Rendezvous, and the particular Angel that has the charge either of Towns, Cities or Kingdoms, not to mention inferiour Villages and Families, and Persons; all that are transacted in these several Parts of the Country, are then made open, and at their Encounters, on each Side, every Thing is told, as in your Paroch, at Milns, Kilns and Smiddies, only with this Difference, that many Things false are told at the living Encounters, but nothing but what is exact Truth is told amongst the Dead. Only, I must observe to you, that as I am credibly informed, several of the inferiour bad Angels, or Spirits of wicked departed, have told mighty Things which they have done; and when a more intelligent Spirit has been sent out upon Enquiry, and, the Report of the former, seeming doubtful, he brings in a contrary Report, and making it appear Truth, the former fares very ill.

O. Does ever the like happen among good Angels?

C. I believe never, for their Regard to Truth prevents it; for while they observe Truth, they do their Bussiness, and keep their Station, and God is Truth.

O. So much Truth being among the good Angels, I shall be apt to think, that Lyes and Falshood will be as much in Vogue amongst the bad.

C. A gross mistake, and ’tis not the alone mistake, that the living Folks labour under anent another World: for the Case is plainly this; as an ill man will not stick at any Falshood, that may promote his Design, so as little will an evil Spirit departed stand at any Thing which may make him successfull; but in making Reports, he must tell the Truth, and nothing but the Truth, or, Wo be to him; But besides their stated monthly, Quarterly, and yearly meetings, or whatever they happen to be, the departed Spirits acquainted can make a Trip to sea, and converse with one another, yearly, daily and weekly, or oftener if they please. Thus I answer the Question you are so much concerned about; for, my Information was from no less than three, viz. Andrew Aikman, who attends Thurston’s Family, and James Corbet who waits upon M^r Paton’s for the Time, and was then looking after M^rs Sarah Paton, when shee was at your House, and an original Emissary appointed to wait on your’s.

O. At this I was much surprized, and after a little thinking, I asked him; and is there really, Coul, an Emissary from Hell, in whatever Sense you take it, who attends my Family?

C. Yes, you may depend upon it.

O. And what do you think is his Bussiness?