an aromatic odor, like that of an embalmed corpse; for when celestial angels are present, the odor from the corpse is perceived as a fragrant perfume. When spirits perceive this, they are unable to approach. By this means, also, evil spirits are prevented from coming near the spirit of man when he is first introduced into eternal life.
The angels who were seated near my head were silent, only communicating their thoughts with mine; and when these are received, they know that the spirit of man is in a state capable of being drawn forth from the body. The communication of their thoughts was effected by looking into my face, for in this way are such communications made in heaven.
Because thought and perception remained with me, in order that I might learn and remember how resuscitation takes place, I perceived that those angels first inquired what my thought was, whether it was similar to that of dying persons, which is usually about eternal life; and that they wished to keep my mind in that thought. It was told me afterward, that the spirit of man is held in the last thought which he has when expiring, until he returns to the thoughts which proceed from the general or ruling affection that belonged to him in the world. It was granted me particularly to perceive, and also to feel, that there was a drawing, and as it were a pulling out, of the interiors of my mind, thus of my spirit, from the body; and I was told that this is from the
