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.
HIS LETTERS TO DR. OETINGER. 155
spoken one whole year with Paul, and also of what is mentioned in the Epistle
to the Romans iii. 28. I have spoken three times with John: once with
Closes ; and I suppose a hundred times with Luther, who owned to me that,
contrary to the warning of an angel, he had received the doctrine of salvation
by faith alone, merely with the intent that he might make an entire separation
from popery. But with the angels I have conversed these twenty-two years
past, and daily continue so to do : with them the Lord has given me association,
though there was no occasion to mention all this in my writings. Who would
have believed, and would not have said, show some token that I may beheve ?
and this every one would have said who did not see the like.
" IlL Whyfrom a philosopher I have been chosen to this office ? Unto which I give
for answer: to the end that the spiritual knowledge, which is revealed at this
day, might be reasonably learned, and naturally understood ; because spiritual
truths answer unto natural ones, inasmuch as these originate and flow from
them, and serve as a foundation for the former. That what is spiritual is simi-
lar unto, and corresponds with what is human or natural, or belonging to the
terrestrial world, may be seen in the treatise On Heaven and Hell, 87-1 15. I was,
on this account, by the Lord, first introduced into the natural sciences, and thus
prepared from the year 1710-1744, when heaven was opened unto me. Every
one is morally educated and spiritually regenerated by the Lord, by being led
from what is natural to what is spiritual. Moreover, the Lord has given unto
me a love of spiritual truth, that is to say, not with any view to honor or profit,
but merely for the sake of truth itself; for every one who loves truth, merely for
the sake of truth, sees it from the Lord, the Lord being the Huay and the truth’
(John xiv. 6). But he who professes the love of truth for the sake of honor or
gain, sees truth from his own self-hood, and to see from one’s self, is to
see falsity. Falses confirmed shut the church, but truths rationally confirmed,
open it. What man can otherwise comprehend spiritual things, which enter
into the understanding ? The doctrinal notion received in the Protestant Church,
viz., that in theological matters, reason shall be held captive under obedience to
faith, locks up the church; what can open it, but an understanding enlightened
by the Lord ? Revelations Revealed, 914.
" I am very sorry that 3’’ou have suffered persecution for translating the work
On Heaven and Hell into German ; but what suffers at this day more than truth
itself? How few there are who see it! nay, who will see it; therefore be not
weary, but indefatigable in defending the truth.
*’
Emanuel Swedenborg.
" Stockholm, Nov. 11, 1766."
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
