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LETTER FROM DR. BEYER TO DR. OETINGER. 217
my fourth year (says he,) to my tenth, I was constantly
engaged in meditations about God, salvation, and the
spiritual affections and states of men ; I have often uttered
things at which my father and mother marvelled, who
would say, that angels altogether spake through me : from
my sixth to my tenth year, it was my delight to discourse
with the clergy concerning faith, that love is the life
.
thereof, and that the love which gives that life is love
towards our neighbour ; that God gives faith to every
one, but only those accept of it who practice that love :
at that time I knew of no other faith, than that God
created nature, that He preserves it, and gives wisdom
and understanding to men ; of that doctrinal assumed
faith, which says that God the Father applies the righte
ousness of His Son to whomsoever and whensoever He
wills, even to those who have not repented, I knew
nothing at that time, and if I had known it, as I do
now, it would have been far beyond my understanding."
Hence it may be accounted for, in my opinion, (con
tinues Dr. Beyer,) how an assessor of the Metallic
College can maintain the character of a theologian, if
his indisputable erudition be also taken into considera
tion ; and a theologian too, who is free from prejudice,
and far more enlightened than the unintelligible Behmen.
’*
"If the theology, which is now-a-days in vogue,
should be stripped of all inventions and conclusions from
reasoning, what, pray, would there be left remaining ?
" Let the history of doctrines be consulted, and an
inquiry be instituted, at what periods of the world, under
what opportunities, and under what founders, theology
has grown to its height ; and it will be immediately seen,
that most of the prevailing doctrines are modern, and that
they have been extended and spread abroad through
human authority, grounded upon perplexed reasonings.
It is, therefore, better to forget them, or to lose sight of
them, than to acquire them ; yea, while we hold any of
them in esteem, the true doctrine is altogether denied
admittance ; wherefore Swedenborg, agreeably to the
See the letters adduced above pp. 165-181.
L
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