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Doc. 6.] 63
PERNETY’S ACCOUNT.
house was not burnt; the fire did not extend so far.” He spoke
truly, and the occurrence had been so recent, that he could
not have received the particulars by letter, or from any other
person. (Consult upon this subject the following letter of Mr.
Springer, from which it may be seen, that he had predicted
this conflagration.)*
19. He was asked why so few among the clergy of
Gottenburgt had embraced his explanation of the Scrip
ture. “The reason of this is,” he said, “ that during their
studies at the academy and the schools, they have confirmed
themselves in their prejudices in favour of faith alone ; and
whenever any one has confirmed himself in anything wrong,
he no longer looks upon error as an evil ; and although they
perceive that I speak the truth, their ambition, their egotism ,
and their love of distinction or self-interest, seem to exact
from them not to declare themselves openly in favour of it.
20. He suffered severe and cruel temptations ; at such
times he prayed much. Those who saw him in a state of
temptation considered him very ill; but when he was re
lieved from them , he thanked God, and said to those that
pitied him : “ God be praised forever ! Comfort yourselves,
my friends! all has disappeared; and rest assured that no
thing ever happens to me, except what the Lord permits;
and He never imposes upon us a burden heavier than we
can bear." +
21. During the sessions of the Diet he took a great
interest in what was discussed there, when he was absent :
for as the head of his family he had the right of attend
ing, and of taking his seat in the Houses of the Realm.
* Mr. Springer’s version of this occurrence is confirmed by the philo
sopher Kant (see Section X), who says that the friend who sent him the
whole of his account about Swedenborg, had investigated this matter, not
only in Stockholm , but also two months before in Gottenburg, where he was
acquainted with the leading firms, and had every opportunity of collecting
information on this subject.
† Robsahm , from whom this statement is taken (see § 18), introduces
this sentence thus: Swedenborg once told me the reason why no others
among the clergy, except Dr. Beyer in Gottenburg, had embraced his ex
planations of the Scripture ....
$ Compare Robsahm’s Memoirs, § 24.
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