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.
188 SWEDENBORG’S TRAVELS AND DIARIES. [Doc. 209.
I followed the straight direction. I then smiled at the other
seducing thoughts ; and thus at luxury, riches, and distinction,
which I had pursued. All these I saw to be vain ; and I dis
covered that he who is without them, and is contented, is
happier than he who possesses them. I therefore smiled at
all arguments by which I might be confirmed ; and with God’s
help made a resolution. May God grant His help.
111. It seemed to me as if I heard a hen cackle, as happens
immediately after it lays an egg.
I further noticed that faith is a sure confidence which is
received from God , which, nevertheless, consists in every man’s
acting according to his talent for doing good to his neighbour,
and continually more and more ; that a man must do so from
faith, because God has so ordered it, and must not reason
any more about it, but do the work of love from obedience
to faith, even though this be opposed to the lusts of the body
and its persuasions.* Wherefore faith without works is not
the right kind of faith. A man must in reality forsake
himself.
112. April 22X23. I had depressing dreams about dogs
that were said to be my countrymen, and which licked my neck,
but without biting ; besides other dreams ***‡ In the morning
awful thoughts haunted me, just as on the preceding day, viz.
that the Evil One had taken possession of me ; yet with the con
solation that he was without, and that I would soon be relieved.
While I had the most damnable thoughts, the worst that
possibly could be, Jesus Christ was presented vividly before
my internal sight; and the operation of the Holy Spirit came
over me, from which I knew that the devil was gone. On
the following day also I was in a state of infestation, in con
flicting thoughts, and in strife. In the afternoon I was most
ly in a tranquil state, and thought of God, though engaged in
worldly things. I was then travelling to Leyden.
113. April 23X24, in Leyden. It seemed to me as if I
were put to flight by a woman, who drove me into the sea,
* See Note 165, x.
See Note 161 , iv, F.
See Note 165, ix, B.
<< prev. page << föreg. sida << >> nästa sida >> next page >>
