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346 TRIAL AT GOTTENBURG. [Doc. 245.
Assessor Emanuel Swedenborg, in a like humble manner I
refer to the written declaration on the same subject which I
submitted to the Consistory on March 22, 1769, and which
at my request was entered on its Minutes.
"I there made an honest confession, that I was then un
acquainted with the religious system of Assessor Swedenborg,
a knowledge of which I believed then, and I believe still,
I may the more readily dispense with, as this would be of no
use to me in the chief object of my public office of teacher,
nor would it contribute in the least to the edification of my
own poor heart. Besides, the Swedenborgian system of doc
trine-if it deserves the name of a system-appears to me
much more extensive than the numerous duties of my office,
more useful studies, and the few leisure hours I have, permit
me to examine.
"I commenced reading some of the theological writings
of Assessor Swedenborg with a little more attention, when,
after the time of his stay in this town, some unfortunate seed
were scattered, and when especially during this last year the
Swedenborgian weeds began to spread here. But I did not
require to read very long, nor to weigh very seriously what
I had read, before I became aware that the author, by his
horrible deviations from our pure doctrine, had arrived at
some intolerable conclusions, and at last at such doctrines,
as undoubtedly bear witness to a troubled fantasy, and are
unsupported by any other arguments than such as are derived
from ’ things heard and seen.’ In my written declaration, which
I submitted to the Consistory on March 22, 1769, I used
these words : that the doctrines of Mr. Swedenborg are ’cor
rupting, heretical, injurious, and in the highest degree objection
able,’ and further that they are diametrically opposed to God’s
revealed Word, and the dogmatic writings of the Lutheran
church. Such were my expressions then, and I cannot retract
them now.
according to a statement made on p. 86 : "The documents have already
been published in Hamburg, and we desire to publish them here, so that
every one may be able to decide patiently, how he must try them so
that he may retain what is good."
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