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238 SWEDENBORG’S CORRESPONDENCE. [Doc. 222.
I refrain from describing to you the joy I have often ex
perienced, and how the glorious truths are beginning to shine
before me ; also how, in accordance with my wishes, I should
not rest until I had read all the writings over and over again,
were I not prevented by my daily occupations and engagements.
I was pleased to see in the light of the sound and genuine
philology of modern times, that your system of doctrine does
not militate against it, but rather seems to kindle a purer
light. But I have, nevertheless, been troubled for some time
that you do not anywhere speak of the writings of the apostles
as being God’s Word. They had likewise an immediate influx
of God’s Spirit ; they were God-inspired (0εóлvevoтоt) in no
less a degree than the prophets. It has also seemed to me
as if you were not willing to look upon their writings and
declarations as correct in every way. Several things have
occurred to me to afford some solution of it; and I respect
fully submit to you whether it is to be understood that accord
ing to your opinion the apostles were certainly influenced by
God’s Spirit, and indeed to such a degree that, in agreement
with God’s distinct promise, the very words were instilled into
them; but that the difference must be attributed to the doctrine,
and the word out of which doctrine is derived, which had to
be accommodated to the comprehension and the method of
thought prevailing in the churches of that time ; so that not
the same relation of correspondence in spiritual and heavenly
things can exist in their word and doctrine, as in the remain
ing portions of God’s Word, which we have ; but that the
doctrine of the apostles was, nevertheless, pure, correct, and
Divine. Paul, so far as I can see, certainly does not differ
from you in the doctrine of faith, of good works, imputation , &c.;
and he seems to confirm, in Hebrews, v, 11 to 14, the un
pretending view which I have expressed above. I should like
some expression from you on this subject, if it could be done
without inconvenience to you. Another wish I have besides,
to see the subject of marriage fully treated of, which among
those who have delicate feelings awakens embarrassing questions
of conscience, and by the generality of men is not well under
stood, and still less properly explained.
The great kindness you have already shown me, emboldens
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