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.
ANECDOTES COLLECTED BY MR. ROBSAHM. TJ
my person and reputation, I humbly request your majesty, that the reverend
clergy may deliver their opinion to yourself on that matter, likewise the minutes
of the council which examined the writings, and the letter said to be forwarded
by the chancellor of justice to the consistory at Gottenburg, to the intent that 1
may be informed thereof, and, as well as others of your majesty’s subjects, be
enabled to make a suitable reply, and heard in my own defence, possessing the
like right and privileges to require it.
" As to what relates to the Drs. Beyer and Rosen of Gottenburg, I advised
them to nothing, but to address themselves to our Lord and Saviour Jesus
Christ, as a means of attaining to heavenly good and blessedness, for he only
has power in heaven and on earth, as declared in Matthew xxviii. 18. As far as
I have been able to learn, they have said no more. This is conformable to
the Augsburg confession, the Formula Concordm, and the whole of Sacred Writ.
Yet these gentlemen have become no less objects of the most cruel persecutions
than myself, arising from the enmity of the bishop and dean of that town. I
can say the same of my writings, which I regard as another self; and that all that
this dean has laid to my charge is mere scandal and falsehood. I have farther to
entreat, that the two letters adjoining to this, which I wrote to Dr. Beyer con-
cerning this business, may be read.*
" Emanuel Swedenborg.
" Stockholm, May 10, 1770."
" It is well known by many living witnesses, that Swedenborg, after his ex-
traordinary call to be an instructor of mankind, dedicated himself entirely to the
great work which was assigned him. The future part of his life was spent,
agreeably to the high commission he had received, in studying diligently the
Word of God, in opening and elucidating the great truths therein contained, and
in publishing them to his fellow-creatures, together with the important informa-
tion made known to him concerning another world. For this purpose, he fre-
quently left his native country to visit distant cities, particularly London and Am-
sterdam, where all his theological works were printed by him at a great expense,
and with little prospect or probability of a reimbursement.
" It is in the writings of the studious and contemplative that we must read
their lives, and learn what they were; and if we look at Swedenborg in this
* In Swedenborg’s letter to Hartley (see p. 36), we ha^e seen it stated, by Sweden-
borg, that up to the year 1769 he had suffered no persecution in his own country, but
that he was on the most friendly terms with the bishops and senators, many of whom
he had frequently informed respecting his extraordinary state, as having his spiritual
sight opened to communicate M’ith the spiritual world. However extraordinary this
might appear to them, they did not, on that account, treat him with less respect; but
as ]Mr. Collin observes, " he was universally esteemed for his various erudition, and for
his probity, benevolence, and general virtue." (See p. 43.) When, however, his
writmgs began to be seriously read by such men as Drs. Beyer and Rosen, and the truths
they contain, to make some impression, it was natural to expect that the spirit of oppo-
sition and persecution would soon manifest itself; and no one expected this oppositiors
more than Swedenborg himself, who well knew, and who has often declared, that the
Doctrines of the New Church would meet with the most violent opposition from the
doctrines of the old church. (See, in particular, his exposition of the xii. chapter of the-
Revelations.) Swedenborg, on his return to Sweden from London, after he had written
his letter to Hartley, found that the storm of excitement and persecution was being
raised against him, which occasioned this appeal to his majesty, the king of Sweden,
for protection.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
