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70 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
Swedenborg was not at home, lest mischief should follow. But he would not
believe her, and ran into the garden, thinking to find him. God, however, who
kept him under his especial protection, encompassed him on this occasion ; for
the young man being in haste to get in, a nail that was in the lock fastened so
to the cloak with which he was covered, that he could not disentangle himself,
and his naked sword fell from beneath the cloak out of his hands : thus greatly-
embarrassed, the fear of being discovered seized him, and he retired with all
possible haste. This same person was afterwards killed in a duel.
" His writings raised him many enemies amongst the clergy, who found vari-
ous pretences to persecute him. At the time of the meeting of the four houses,
called the diet, which was held in the year 1769, at Norkjoping, Swedenborg
had a box sent from England, containing some of his printed works ; these were
stopped for examinaiion, according to the laws which prohibit the introduction of
all books reputed contrary to the Protestant Religion. Swedenborg desired, there-
fore, the favor of Bishop Filenius, his nephew, and member in the house of the
clergy, to get this box returned to him, as he intended to make presents of these
books to the several members of the houses : notwithstanding the bishop cor-
dially promised it, and, at the same time, embraced and kissed Swedenborg, yet
this very man did everything in his power to get these works confiscated. Swe-
denborg used afterwards to call him Judas Iscariot, because he had deceived
him with kissing, when he would have been satisfied with a blunt refusal, and,
therefore, could not help expressing his displeasure at such deceitful behavior,
being conscious that every person who knew him and his works, must allow,
that he always insisted on a good life, with integrity in all our dealings ; that
charity must be united with faith ; and that charity consists not only in thinking
no ill and speaking no ill of our neighbor, even in doubtful cases, where the
intention is not evidently bad, but that we must primarily keep in view the
necessity of promoting good uses, peace, love, and true knowledge. God, being
truth and sincerity Itself, cannot but abhor all falsehood and deceit, because
they spring from impure motives, such as worldly-fear, self-interest, vanity, and
no trust in Providence ; and as God is love Itself, he cannot but abominate every-
thing that tends to destroy the true peace and happiness of mankind.
" That very year, at the same assembly, some members of the house of the
clergy, had artfully laid a scheme, that our author should be examined, and, after
examination, be declared as a man out of his senses, whom it was dangerous
to leave at liberty, but that he ought to be imprisoned as a lunatic. A certain
senator,* and friend to Swedenborg, disclosed to him the whole plot, and advised
him to leave the kingdom. At this news Swedenborg appeared much afflicted
and going into his garden, fell on his knees, and prayed to the Lord to direct him
what to do. After this prayer he received this consolatory answer, That no evil
should touch him. This really happened, as his enemies were afraid to execute
their persecution, when they considered his being a member in the house of
nobles, and related to many of the nobility and dignified clergy ; however, he
soon after undertook another voyage, but being informed, on his return, of the
evil intentions and malice of his persecutors, and, being instructed by experience
of what they were capable, he addressed himself to the king, in the following
terms, drawn up in the form of a letter :
—
* The Senator Count Hopken.
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