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124 DOCUMENTS CONCERNING SWEDENBORG,
LETTER II,
To Dr. Beyer.
" With regard to the writings of St. Paul, and the other apostles, I have not
given them a place in my Arcana Calestia, because they are dogmatic writings
merely, and not written in the style of the Word, as are those of the prophets, of
David, of the Evangelists, and Revelation of St. John,*
"The style of the Word consists throughout in correspondences, and thence
effects an immediate communication with heaven ; but the style of these dog-
matic writings is quite different, having, indeed, communication with heaven,
but only mediate or indirectly.
" The reason why the apostles wrote in this style, was, that the New Chris-
tian Church was then to begin through them ; consequently, the same style as
is used in the Word v^ould not have been proper for such doctrinal tenets, which
required plain and simple language, suited to the capacities of all readers,
" Nevertheless, the writings of the apostles are very good books for the church,
inasmuch as they insist on the doctrine of charity and faith thence derived as
strongly as the Lord Himself hath done in the Gospels, and in the Revelation of
St. John, as will appear evidently to any one who studies these writings with
attention.
’’
In the Apocalypse Revealed, No. 417, I have proved, that the words of Paul, in
Rom. iii. 28, are quite misunderstood ; and thus the doctrine of justification by
faith alone, which at present constitutes the theology of the reformed churches,
is built on an entirely false foundation.—I remain, &c.,
" Emanuel Swedenborg.
" Amsterdam, April 15, 1766."
LETTER III.
To Dr. Beyer.
’*
I arrived here on the 8th of this month. The voyage from England hither
was made in eight days. The wind was favorable, but attended with a violent
storm, which occasioned so short a passage, I have since received yours of the
17th September, and am glad to find yourself and my other friends are well at
Gottenbarg, to all of whom you will please to present my compliments,
" I wish much blessing to the intended publication of the Library of Sermons^]
and send you herewith my subscription for the same, I presume you will use
all necessary precaution in this work, because the time is not yet arrived, that
the essentials of the New Church can be so received ; the clergy, who have so
much confirmed themselves in their tenets at the universities, find it difficult to
be convinced : for all confirmations, in things pertaining to theology, are, as it
were, glued fast in the brains, and can with difficulty be removed ; and, whilst
they remain, genuine truths can find no place. Besides, the new heaven of Chris-
tians, from whence the New Jerusalem from the Lord will descend (Rev, xxi, 12). is not
yet perfectly settled.
* See the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem concerning the Sacred Scripture, No. 11 3,’
t The title of a work written by Dr, Beyer.
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