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Doc. 4.] 27
EULOGIUM ON SWEDENBORG
.
It is a better characteristic in a priest to believe too
much than too little. But how very easily might not something
of this sort of over -belief have place with his learned son, if an
hereditary inclination supported and strengthened an effect,
which is naturally produced, when any one resolves to examine,
at the same time, that which is presented to his senses and
that which is beyond the sphere of their knowledge, nay,
beyond the limits assigned to the light of reason.
I have perhaps dwelt too long already upon what SWEDEN
BORG wrote on spiritual subjects, inasmuch as these are not
topics for an Academy of Sciences. It suffices that his good
qualities and merits are conspicuous even on that side, where
we look for those weaknesses in him which are inseparable
from human nature.
I have not risen in this place to define errors or dogmas
that are difficult to be understood ; but I venture to say, and I
am sure you will agree with me, that where others generally
exhibit a lack of intelligence and confusion of thought, our
SWEDENBORG displays an uncommon wealth of knowledge,
which, in accordance with his system, he reduced into such
order, that not even the elements were able to turn him out
of his course.
If his desire of knowledge went too far, it still bears
witness to his great zeal for enlightening himself and others ;
for we cannot discover in him any sign of arrogance, rashness,
or intention to deceive.
If he cannot be numbered among the doctors of the
Church, he still deserves to be counted among ingenious moral
ists ; and to be set up as a pattern of virtue and of reverence
for his Maker; for in him there was no sort of double dealing.
If I were called upon frankly to state his faults, I should
imagine to myself some one who devoted his whole time to
the preparation of a universal solvent - a menstruum which
would solve everything that either nature or art had produced,
without remembering that no vessel could preserve it. Our
Swedenborg was not satisfied with knowing much; he desired
to know more than can be comprehended by any man here
below, in that state of imperfection which belongs to him while
the soul dwells in a frail material body.
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