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ANECDOTES COLLECTED BY MR. ROBSAHM. 85
" It is well known by many living witnesses, that
Swedenborg, after his extraordinary call to be an in
structor of mankind, dedicated himself entirely to the
great work which was assigned him. The future part of
his life was spent, agreeably to the high commission he
had received, in studying diligently the Word of God, in
opening and elucidating the great truths therein con
tained, and in publishing them to his fellow-creatures,
together with the important information made known to
him concerning another world. For this purpose, he
frequently left his native country to visit distant cities,
particularly London and Amsterdam, where all his theo
logical works were printed by him at a great expense, and
with little prospect, or probability of a reimbursement.
"It is in the writings ofthe studious and contemplative
that we must read their lives, and learn what they were;
and if we look at Swedenborg in this view, we are as
tonished at the greatness of his labours, the extent of his
knowledge, the purity and consistency of his doctrines,
the order and perspicuity of his discussions, all which
bespeak a mind vastly above the common sort, inde
fatigable in its exertions, profound in its researches,
illuminated and clear in its perceptions, pious, sober,
and solid in its principles.
"With respect to this highly-gifted man’s visions and
communications with the spiritual world, in a frequent
visible intercourse with angels and other spirits, they are
so well known and attested, both in this and other
(See p. 35.) When, however, his writings began to be seriously
read by such men as Drs. Beyer and Rosen, and the truths they
contain, to make some impression, it was natural to expect that
the spirit of opposition and persecution would soon manifest itself;
and no one expected this opposition more than Swedenborg him
self, who well knew, and who has often declared, that the
Doctrines of the New Church would meet with the most violent
opposition from the doctrines of the old church. (See, in par
ticular, his exposition of the xii. chapter of the Revelations.)
Swedenborg, on his return to Sweden from London, after he had
written his letter to Hartley, found that the storm of excitement
and persecution was being raised against him, which occasioned
this appeal to his majesty, the king of Sweden, for protection.
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