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ANECDOTES COLLECTED BY MR. ROBSAHM. 67
*
1 never thought,’ added he,’ I should have come into the spiritual state in which
1 am; but the Lord had prepared me for it, in order to reveal the Spiritual Sense
of the Word, Avhich he had promised in the Prophets and the Revelations.’
"An ecclesiastic, who was a follower of Zinzendorf, and a doctor of divinity
in Gottenburg, undertook to oppose the writings of Swedenborg ; but after
having first begun by asserting that he had not read those writings, he went on
with his preliminary discourse, using the grossest invectives, and the most
malignant and scandalous expressions, even against Swedenborg’s person ; unto
which Swedenborg replied with so much modesty and mildness, without taking
notice of his antagonist’s person, that all applauded both the substance of what
he said, and the manner in which he conducted himself.
" A certain critic, who is well known for observing but little decorum in his
expressions, as well on the writings of an author as on the author himself, also
undertook a bitter invective against his writings. The reply Swedenborg made
to it, was very short ; it was printed only to communicate to his friends, and
drawn up in the following terms :
’
I have read what Dr. E. has related of me in
his Theologica Bibliotheca, p. 704, and find the same to contain the grossest scan-
dals agamst my person. I have not met therein with a grain of pure reason
against any particular passage in my writings, and m.ust observe, that to attack
any person with envenomed daggers in such a manner, is against all laws of
justice; and therefore I deem it but an indignity to use such kind of arguments
in reply to my opponent, as engaging in them would be more like two women
of the lowest class, who, in scolding, cast dirt into one another’s faces, than any-
thing else. Read, if you please, what is published in my last work, entitled,
Vera Christiana Religio, of those arcana, which were discovered by me from the
Lord, at No. 846 to 851, or page 492 to 502, and afterwards conolude, yet from
an unprejudiced reason, respecting my revelation,’ Moreover, there is some
account of this person to be found in a memorable relation, inserted in the above-
mentioned work, at No. 137, p. 105 to 108 ;
which may be read by any that
wish to be further informed.
" It is a very singular circumstance, that almost all who have read the writings
of Swedenborg, with a design to refute them, have finished the attempt by
adhering to his sentiments.
" He was in nowise led by that self-love, which is observable in those who
publish new opinions concerning church doctrines ; neither did he seek to make
any proselytes, not even communicating his thoughts and sentiments, but to
those whom he thought virtuous, disposed to hear them with moderation, capa-
ble of comprehending them, and lovers of truth.
’•’
He explained to Mr. Robsahm, the reason why the clergy at that time were
so unwilling to receive his interpretations of the Scriptures. ’
It is,’ said he, ’
be-
cause they confirm themselves in the doctrine of faith alone, from the schools,
the colleges, and the universities ; and having confirmed themselves in some
evil, do not see that evil as evil, but find every day more pleasure in it, and vice
versa. Besides,’ added he, ’ although they see and find that I speak truth, their
ambition to preserve their reputation in the world, will not suffer them publicly
to profess what they are convinced to be irrefutable truths.’ Tiiis conversation
passed just after Swedenborg had been visited by the famous clergyman Dr.
Rutstrom, who died in his confinement in the palace of Stockholm, a little while
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