Full resolution (JPEG) - On this page / på denna sida - Sidor ...
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
Below is the raw OCR text
from the above scanned image.
Do you see an error? Proofread the page now!
Här nedan syns maskintolkade texten från faksimilbilden ovan.
Ser du något fel? Korrekturläs sidan nu!
This page has never been proofread. / Denna sida har aldrig korrekturlästs.
78 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
eternal place of his abode.* Swedenborg added, that a
man ripened in evil, whom the law and the axe, or halter,
removes from earth, although apparently repenting,
always remains evil to eternity ; because his conversion is
forced, and not performed out of his own free will, which
GOD requires. For unless his crimes had thrown him
into prison, where he sees death impending, he would not
have turned his thoughts to GOD, much less his heart,
which is hardened by custom to a wicked life ; and per
ceiving himself, after death, to live as before, he rushes
headlong into the same wicked practices, as he did in the
world, and thus is quickly led on to the hell, with the
spirits of which he was in conjunction while on earth.
It is a very different case, added he, with those who, indeed ,
are executed for some crime, which they have committed
in drunkenness or passion, but without any design ; such
persons repent earnestly of their actions ; and unless
they have, in the course of their life, confirmed themselves
in opposition to the commandments of GOD, they become
after death, when divested of their infirmities, happy
spirits.
"Although Swedenborg openly avowed and main
tained the most profound veneration for the Sacred Scrip
tures; although he never supported one principle contrary
to the decalogue, or a good Christian life ; although his
conduct was exemplary ; and although he never spoke
either against the government or particular persons, he
was not exempted from persecutions ; he found enemies
so determined to do him mischief, that he deemed it
necessary to leave the capital that he might not fall into
their hands. A young man, in particular, went even to
his own house, with a design to assassinate him ; the
gardener’s wife told him that Swedenborg was not at
home, lest mischief should follow. But he would not
believe her, and ran into the garden, thinking to find him.
GOD, however, who kept him under his especial pro
tection, encompassed him on this occasion; for the young
This transformation is amply described in his Treatise of
Heaven and Hell.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
