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334 [Doc. 245.
TRIAL AT GOTTENBURG.
Luther and Hunnius have said on the subject of three persons
in the Godhead. It would be easy for me, in all humility, to
quote passages where the remaining articles and doctrines
are proved by a similar mode of demonstration, but this would
be too prolix here ; they can be gathered copiously from the
passages selected from the ’ Arcana Coelestia,’ which are
contained in the book entitled ’The New Jerusalem,’ and
which ought to be consulted by every accurate reader. Nothing
can be concluded rationally and accurately from the published
Excerpta, for, without taking into consideration the manifestly
uncharitable utterances of the compiler, none of the principal
views professed by the author are introduced there ; besides ,
there is an unmistakable indication of a desire on his part
to uncover the weak side of these views, by an utter absence
of all intermediate truths, by which their connection and their
consequences might appear, and likewise by the omission of
every kind of argument, by which one might be enabled to
institute a rational investigation . An answer to this procedure
seems to be furnished by Dr. Rosén’s ’ Unpretending Thoughts
upon Swedenborgianism.’
+ Meanwhile, after due consideration,
we are led to acknowledge that there is an undeniable con
formity between these doctrines and the real meaning of God’s
Word, whereby they acquire a strength in demonstration which
it is impossible to impair, when we accept it as a principle,
that the doctrine of a church must be that ’ wisdom which
cometh from above ’ (James iii, 17) ; and from which it follows
that we must first believe, and afterwards employ confirmations
from various sources, even from good natural sciences ; again,
that there is an agreement throughout with the inspired doctrines
contained in the writings of the apostles, which are enlightened
and developed beautifully by the above-mentioned doctrines,
and are thereby considerably increased, provided we take into
due consideration what is stated about the primitive Christian
Church in the treatise concerning ’ The Lord ’ (no. 55) ; and ,
finally, we recognize as the sum and substance of all these
* Concerning these published Excerpta, see footnote to the letter which
Bishop Filenius wrote to Assessor Aurell (Document 245, K, p. 313).
See Document 245, D, p. 293.
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