“There are three states which man passes through after death, before he comes either into heaven or into hell; the first state is that of his exteriors, the second is that of his interiors, and the third is that of his preparation. Man passes through these states in the world of spirits. There are some however who do not pass through these states, but immediately after death are either taken up into heaven or cast into hell. Those who are immediately taken up into heaven are those who have been regenerated and thus prepared for heaven, in the world. Those who are so regenerated and prepared that they have need only to reject natural impurities with the body, are taken by angels immediately into heaven. I have seen them taken up soon after the hour of death. But those who have been inwardly wicked, while outwardly in appearance good, and have thus filled up the measure of their wickedness with wiles and used goodness as a means of deceiving, are immediately cast into hell. I have seen