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82 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG.
years, even by learned men themselves ; to instance only three performances out
of the many that might be produced, viz., Locke on the Human Understanding,
Milton’s Paradise Lost, and Prideaux’s Connection of the Old and New Testament.
Those who have been conversant with books, especially in the trading way,
cannot be ignorant of the difficulties these valuable pieces have met with in
making their way into the world : and it is as remarkable now to observe, how
they have been called for and admired for many years past.
’•How this great work of Arcana Ccdestia will succeed in the world, is impossi-
ble at present to determine. If all men of learning were of the same mind with
the ingenious and pious Mr. Penny, of Dartmouth, we need not fear success
;
for, in his letter to me, on the publication of the first volume, are these following
words :
’ I have long ardently wished to see the historical part of the Old Testa-
ment, which seems only to regard the Jewish dispensation (and upon that ac-
count is too lightly regarded by the major part of the present Christian world),
proved to be as delightful, instructive, and as necessary for the knowledge of
Christians as the New. This Arcana Ccdestia gives me fullest satisfaction of,’ &c.
A copy of this letter was printed at large in the Daily Advertiser of Christmas-
day, 1749. Now this dehghtful, instructive, and necessary knowledge" cannot
be expected from this part of Holy Writ, unless the historical part of the Old
Testament be allegorized in some such manner as our Latin author has here
done it. And the great and learned, as well as the inspired Apostle Paul, clearly
give encouragement to this way of writing. (Gal. iv. 24 ) And our author nei-
ther rejects, nor disturbs the literal sense by his allegorical exposition.
" Soon after the publication of Mr. Penny’s letter before-mentioned, a grave,
judicious, and learned gentleman was pleased to call at one of the bookseller’s
where this famous Latin book was appointed to be sold : and when he had cast
his eye over part of the work, he inquired who the author was; but being told
that the author would not be known, ’ Well,’ said. the gentleman, ’ I confess that
at these years I am not fond of new acquaintance, but should be extremely glad
to have some conversation with him; for,’ continued he, with great earnestness,
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