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286 [Doc. 245.
TRIAL AT GOTTENBURG.
A.
DR. BEYER ON SWEDenborg anD HIS WRITINGS.*
"Swedenborg is generally known to be, as to his person
and life, a God-fearing and virtuous, and also a quiet, peace
ful, and well-reputed citizen ; and in the public prints is de
clared to be a giant of learning in the various sciences ; but
especially is he known to have an unbounded veneration for
the Divine Word. The thoughts of such a man on matters
of religion ought surely not to be condemned rashly, and
without a previous most thorough examination ...
"So long, however, as such an investigation and examination
have not been made, this Consistory does not deem itselt
justified in declaring that the works of Assessor Swedenborg
are to be classed among the number of prohibited books ;
and, consequently, they do not feel themselves called upon to
endeavour to obtain in the proper place an order for their
prohibition.
"But meanwhile, both in respect to the writings of Assessor
Swedenborg, which are written in Latin, a foreign tongue, and
according to a transcendental method, as well as in respect
to all other writings, the following words of the Lord and
their meaning furnish a safe rule of criticism to all the learned,
by the application of which they will not only not fail in their
judgment, but also be freed from error : ’If any one will do
the will of Him who has sent Jesus,’ or if any one has the
desire and purpose to live as the Lord has given us to under
stand is well-pleasing to Him -’he shall know,’ or he is able
to know ’whether a doctrine is of God,’ and thus is Divine,
or whether it has a merely human source and thus ought to
be rejected" (John vii, 17).
In pursuance of a resolution written by
February 15, 1769.
The opposition in the Consistory consisted of Dean Eke
bom,17
,179 Dean Kullin,189 and Pastor Hempke,190 whose senti
* See "Handlingar rörande Swedenborgianismen," &c., p. 5.
G. A. BEYER.
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