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4^ DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
slightest encomium. What he knows of the most interesting and noble science
of all, I most humbly submit, Sir, to your better judgment : yet I must say, that
though I have read much of the historical and mystical proofs of the truth of
Scripture, 1 have never yet met with any assertions so wonderfully affecting the
mind of man ; and wherever I have read of anything of this nature approach-
ing in some measure to the gift of our author, it has generally been delivered
by persons whose education would scarcely secure them from the censure of
enthusiasm or imposture. I should be glad, Sir, to be honored with a line from
you when you get the books, and happy to receive your opinion when it may
be suitable to you to confer that favor on me—I am, Sir, with the greatest re-
spect, your most obedient and most humble servant,
" H. Messiter.
" At Broom House, Fulham, Middlesex."
The Professor’s Answer.
’•Edmburgh, Nov. 6, 1769.
’’
Sir,
" I have received the books concerning which you were pleased to advise me
in your favor of the 23d of October, for which I return you cordial thanks. I
have at present, and shall have during the winter season, but little respite from
the duties of my office of Divinity Professor here ; so that it will be seven or
eight months ere I can purpose to peruse them deliberately, and with that care
and attention which the serious and important nature of the subjects therein
treated plainly requires. I have, however, seen enough to convince me that
the honorable author is a very learned and pious man—qualities that shall ever
command my respect. His sentiments, in several theological points of import-
ance, differ not a little from those that are entertained in our North British Church,
and he supports them not wholly by argumentation from Scripture, but rests a
good deal on visions of angels and intercourse with the spiritual world : as I
cannot boast of any experience of that kind, I am the less qualified to judge of
the weight that ought to be laid on that mean of proof. This is all I can pre-
sume to say at present, and on the footing of a very slight and cursory inspec-
tion of the books. Meanwhile, as you have sent a copy of the Apocalypsis Rev-
elata, and another quarto, in which Amor Conjugialis et Scortatio, or Fornicatio
Vaga et Libidinosa, are explained and contrasted in respect of their spiritual and
mystical meaning, I shall deposit these in the theological library here, as also a
single copy of each of the other papers and pamphlets, reserving to my own
proper use only a single copy of each of those publications of which you have
transmitted several copies ; the residue I shall give away, as from you, to such
of the ministers of this city as to the best of my judgment, will most thankfully
receive them.—I am, with sincere respect and gratitude, Sir, your most obedient
and most obliged servant,
" Robert Hamilton."
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