- Project Runeberg -  Documents Concerning the Life and Character of Emanuel Swedenborg / 1847 /
54

Author: Johann Friedrich Immanuel Tafel Translator: John Henry Smithson
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54 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG,
Count HdpJcen to General Tuxen.
LETTER III,
**SlR,
" Partly travels, and partly indisposition have prevented my answering your
favor of the 28th May ; besides, the contents of that letter are such as to require
much time for reflection, much attention, and still greater caution in the execu-
tion, than questions of another nature in general demand. I am not surprised,
that the late Assessor Swedenborg left the objections of Paul ab Indagine unan-
swered; for though the system of the former has not a more powerful adversary
than this man, yet it runs no risk, as nothing is objected to Swedenborg, but
what might on equally good ground be objected to orthodoxy, as it is called
;
even his Autopsy, or Visa et Audita* are of such a nature, that they can never be
proved, nor do they cause any faith and belief further than as the rest of his
tenets are well founded, and possess force and authenticity. Those who take
upon themselves the business of refuting the opinions of others, ought first to
obtain a perfect idea of the system they mean to refute, and not catch at trifles,
which, by themselves, are apparently of no consequence, but in their connection
with the whole are of importance : secondly, to be cautious of making such
objections, as, with equal force, reason, and authority maybe urged against what
is called orthodoxy, I think Paul ab Indagine has acted contrary to these rules
;
I am persuaded. Sir, you must already have observed these defects, which con-
sequently need not be pointed out by me. I am no theologian ; but I do not
build my rehgion on that artificial and confused theology, which ambition, en-
thusiasm, and superstition have spun out, which gives rise to sects, and excites
in weak minds anxiety and despair. If we look around us in Christendom, we
shall find the state of religion to be such as I have described, and that there is
no other cause for it. —I have the honor to remain, with particular esteem, Sir,
your obedient servant, H6pken.
*’
Schenninge-Ulfosa, Aug. 1, 1773
Count Hopken to General Tuxen.
letter iv.
«’
Sir,
"By last post I received your honored letter with the greatest pleasure and ac-
knowledgment for the interest you have been pleased to take in the change of
my situation, I have now experienced, that we are not masters of our own fate
in this world, but that it is governed by a superior Power, which demands submis-
sion to its decrees. I should be too great a loser, if, on this change of my situa-
tion, I were to lose your useful correspondence. This it is which 1 therefore
request of you, when you have matter and opportunity; and, besides, I assure
you, that with me honores non mutant mores ; on the contrary, I shall endeavor on
all occasions to show the sincere and perfect esteem, with which 1 always am,
Sir, your most obedient servant,
" Hopken.
"Ulfosa, Jan. 13, 1774."
* Things heard and seen in the spiritual world, or his memorable relations.

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