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.
212 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENborg.
"III. Why from a philosopher I have been chosen to
this office? Unto which I give for answer : to the end
that the spiritual knowledge, which is revealed at this
day, might be reasonably learned, and naturally under
stood ; because spiritual truths answer unto natural ones,
inasmuch as these originate and flow from them, and
serve as a foundation for the former. That what is
spiritual is similar unto, and corresponds with what is
human or natural, or belonging to the terrestrial world,
may be seen in the treatise On Heaven and Hell,
87-115. I was, on this account, by the Lord, first
introduced into the natural sciences, and thus prepared
from the year 1710-1744, when heaven was opened
unto me. Every one is morally educated and spiritually
regenerated by the Lord, by being led from what is
natural to what is spiritual. Moreover, the Lord has
given unto me a love of spiritual truth, that is to say, not
with any view to honour or profit, but merely for the
sake of truth itself: for every one who loves truth, merely
for the sake of truth, sees it from the Lord, the Lord
being the " way and the truth." (John xiv. 6. ) But
he who professes the love of truth for the sake of honour
or gain, sees truth from his own self-hood, and to see
from one’s self, is to see falsity. Falses confirmed shut
the church, but truths, rationally confirmed, open it.
What man can otherwise comprehend spiritual things,
which enter into the understanding ? The doctrinal no
tion received in the Protestant Church, viz., that in theo
logical matters, reason shall be held captive under obedi
ence to faith, locks up the church ; what can open it, but
an understanding enlightened by the Lord ? Revelations
Revealed, 914.
&
"I am very sorry that you have suffered persecution
for translating the work On Heaven and Hell into Ger
man; but what suffers at this day more than truth itself?
How few there are who see it ! nay, who will see it;
therefore be not weary, but indefatigable in defending
the truth.
" EMANUEL SWEDENBORG.
" Stockholm, Nov. 11 , 1766."
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
