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.
TESTIMONY OF COUNT A. J. VON HOPKEN. 53
concerning a subject relative to salvation, which is to satisfy the conscience in
every period of life, then my thoughts are of a more tender nature, and I am
bound to use caution in communicating them to others. The late Swedenborg
certainly was a pattern of sincerity, of virtue and piety, and at the same time, in
my opinion, the most learned man in this kingdom; but all these qualities,
which are so many evidences of an honest, virtuous and pious hfe, do not, at
the same time, prove, that he could not err like other men. What to my judg-
ment may appear evident, convincing, and indisputable, may to others appear
obscure, complicated, and i3roblematical. Our intellectual faculties are so dif-
ferent, as vv^ell as our education and circumstances; and hence proceeds all the
diversity of opinions prevailing among men, which are never to be reconciled.
I agree with you, Sir, in this, that the Swedenb.orgian system is more compre-
hensible to our reason, and less complicate than other systems ; and while it
forms virtuous men and citizens, it prevents at the same time, all kinds of enthu-
siasm and superstition, both of which occasion so many and such cruel vexa-
tions, or ridiculous singularities, in the world : and from the present state of re-
ligion, (more or less everywhere conspicuous, according to the more or less free
form of government,) I am perfectly convinced that the interpolations w^hich
men have confusedly inserted into religion, have nearly effected a total corrup-
tion or revolution ; and when this is seen, the Swedenborgian system will be-
come more general, more agreeable, and more intelligible than at present
—
opini-
orum commenta delet dies, naturce judicia confirmat, says Cicero. The work of God
is in its composition simple, and in its duration perpetual ; on the contrary, the
contrivances of man are complicate, and have no lasting subsistence. Those
few truths w^iich we possess, and perhaps want in this world, are equally intel-
ligible to the most simple as to the most profound metaphysician. Tenets and
arguments have troubled mortals more than convinced them ; excited more re-
ligious quarrels and wars in Christendom, than they have made good Christians.
The judgment of father Hellen’s has afforded me great pleasure, and proves him
to be a reasonable man. The late Swedenborg did not, on his death-bed, recant
what he has written ; of which I have particularly informed myself. Your own
opinion. Sir, on the affair of Gottenburg, is a hvely and exact representation of
the persons interested. I remember, here the expressions of an English poet:
’Is there a churchmaa who on God relies.
Whose life his faith and doctrine justifies 1
They hunt good livings and abhor good lives.’
No notice is to be taken of the English criticisms on the works of Swedenborg.
I have got those journals, but have not yet been able to discover the nature and
quality of their religious opinions. The letter of David Paul ab Indagine is un-
known to me ; and I have reason to doubt whether Swedenborg, in his life time,
ever knew of it. In his latter years, he never read the WTitings of others, being
abundantly occupied in writing himself. Your correspondence. Sir, is not only
very agreeable to me, but also very edifying. T wish my answer may afford you
equal satisfaction ; at least I can assure you of the sincere affection with which
I have the honor of remaining. Sir, your obedient servant,
" H6PKEN.
« Schenninge, May 21, 1773.’’
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
