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TESTIMONY OF COUNT A. J. VON HÔPKEN. 49
not judge of mysteries, nor can I. The generality, when
they are speaking of the theology of Swedenborg, always
dwell on his memorable relations, and think that every
thing consists in these. In whatever he relates of the
spiritual world, and the other progressions in the angelic
heaven, there appears, as I think, an analogy and re
semblance of the gradations which God has established
in the world, and in which no variations or exceptions
are admitted ; insomuch, that Swedenborg has taken the
same road by which we proceed from the visible to the
invisible, from things known to things unknown, from
several collected facts to one fundamental truth before
unknown to us ; in like manner as in arithmetic, we are
led from known numbers to those we seek. We have no
other way of obtaining knowledge. Few persons have
judiciously read his works, which everywhere sparkle with
genius ; if I meet with anything unusual or extraordinary,
and which might indicate a disordered understanding, I
do not judge of it. We read Plato with admiration ; but
there is nothing to be met with in his works, which, if
related by another person, might not be deemed ex
travagant, inconceivable, and absurd. But I grow too
after death. That there are spiritual objects and phenomena in
the spiritual world, as cognizable to the spiritual eyes and senses
of spirits, as material objects and phenomena are cognizable to
the natural eyes and senses of men, although not subject to
mechanical and chemical laws, as are material objects, see above
p. 19. And in respect to the wicked, and the abominations of
wickedness, it is evident from many parts of the Scriptures, that
every evil principle, and every wicked lust is represented by
outward emblems which correspond to them, and which portray
them to the external senses of spirits ; we will only adduce one
passage from the prophet Ezekiel, chap. viii. 9, 10 : " And he said
unto me, Go in, and behold the wicked abominations that they do
here; so I went in and saw, and BEHOLD EVERY FORM OF creep
ING THINGS AND ABOMINABLE BEASTS, and all the idols ofthe
house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about." The
prophet saw these things in vision, that is, when his spiritual eyes
were open to see the objects in the spiritual world. The memo
rable relations of Swedenborg will be found, by every serious
mind, to contain lessons of wisdom, concerning the spiritual
states of men, of the greatest importance, which could not be so
effectually communicated in any other manner.
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