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Doc. 251.] 403
GJÖRWELL’S TESTIMONY.
former parts he had left with Wilde, the royal secretary.
"Most willingly," he answered, "besides, I had intended to
send them there, as my purpose in publishing them has been
to make them known, and to place them in the hands of
intelligent people. " I thanked him for his kindness, where
upon he showed them to me, and took a walk with me in
the garden.
3. Although he is an old man, and grey hair protruded in
every direction from under his wig, he walked briskly, was
fond of talking, and spoke with a certain cheerfulness. His
countenance was indeed thin and meagre, but cheerful and
smiling. By and by he began of his own accord to speak of
his views ; and as it had been in reality my second purpose
to hear them with my own ears, I listened to him with eager
attention, not challenging any of his statements, but simply
asking him questions, as if for my own enlightenment. The
substance of his statements, and of what I drew from him by
polite questions, consists mainly in what follows :
4. His doctrinal system of theology, which he, in common
with other Christians, bases upon our common revelation, the
Sacred Scripture, consists principally in this : That faith alone
is a pernicious doctrine, and that good works are the proper
means for becoming better in time, and for leading a blessed
life in eternity. That in order to acquire the ability or power*
to do good works prayer to the only God is required, and that
man also must labour with himself, because God does not use
compulsion with us ; nor does He work any miracles for our
conversion. As regards the rest, man must live in his appointed
place, acquiring the same learning, and leading a similar life
as other honest and modest persons, who live temperately and
piously. About the atonement and our Saviour he said not
a single word. It is a pity I did not ask him about it. But
his thoughts on this our fundamental article of faith may be
inferred from his expression about faith alone. He also said
that Doctor Luther was at the present time in a state of
suffering in the other world, simply on account of having
* "I use everywhere Swedenborg’s own words." C. C. G.
26*
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