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140 SWEDENBORG’S TRAVELS AND DIARIES. [Doc. 208.
duty ; for I am still in some obscurity as to the direction
whither I am to turn. "
That Swedenborg’s philosophical studies were one of the
principal means by which he was prepared for the perception
of spiritual truths, is stated in Part III of the Regnum
Animale, which he was then, September 30, 1744, seeing
through the press : "This signified that what I had written
there with God’s help, was of such a nature, that it would lead
me on still farther, and that I should see still more glorious
things" (no. 176).
The most pointed declaration, however, that he was about
to be changed from a philosopher into a theologian, Sweden
borg makes in no. 135, where he says : "Henceforth speculation,
which has hitherto been a posteriori, will be changed into a
priori;" in other words, from being an analytical philosopher,
he is about to become a theologian, when he would see the
truth from the Lord by the synthetic method.
Swedenborg’s preparation for his office consisted, however,
not only in a special training of his intellectual faculties, but
also in a peculiar discipline of his will or affectional nature,
as appears from no. 195. "This was a prediction that the
Lord Himself will instruct me, as soon as I have attained
that state in which I shall know nothing, and in which all my
preconceived notions will be removed, which is the first state
of learning; in other words, that I must first become a child,
and that then I shall be able to be nurtured in knowledge,
as is the case with me now."
In order, therefore, that Swedenborg might be instructed
by the Lord, he had to become childlike and innocent, and
thoroughly humble in heart. The terrible struggles and temp
tations which he had to undergo, before his will was thoroughly
subdued, and he was willing to act as a mere "instrument" in
the hands of the Lord (nos. 167, 177), he minutely describes
in Document 209, from beginning to end. He there uncovers
the uncleanness and the evils which were to be removed from
him, and specifies the evils to which he is particularly inclined.
But in the end he becomes thoroughly humble in heart (nos. 17,
63, 69), his sins are forgiven (nos. 90, 166), the Lord removes
from him "the love of self and pride" (no. 200) ; and he is
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