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Doc. 252.] 409
HÖPKEN TO TUXEN
.
that I thought he would do better not to mix his beautiful
writings with so many memorable relations, or things heard and
seen in the spiritual world concerning the states of men after
death, of which ignorance makes a jest and derision . But he
answered me, that this did not depend on him; that he was
too old to sport with spiritual things, and too much concerned
for his eternal happiness to yield to such foolish notions, assur
ing me, on his hopes of salvation, that imagination produced
in him none of his revelations, which were true, and from what
he had heard and seen. This may be: the church cannot judge
of mysteries, nor can I. The generality, when they are speak
ing of the theology of Swedenborg, always dwell on his mem
able relations, and think that everything consists in them. In
whatever he relates of the spiritual world, and the other
progressions in the angelic heaven, there appears, as I think,
an analogy and resemblance of the gradations which God has
established in the world, and in which no variations or ex
ceptions are admitted ; insomuch, that Swedenborg has taken
the same road by which we proceed from the visible to the
invisible, from things known to things unknown, from several
collected facts to one fundamental truth before unknown to
us ; in like manner as in arithmetic, we are led from known
numbers to those we seek. We have no other way of obtain
ing knowledge. Few persons have judiciously read his works,
which everywhere sparkle with genius ; if I meet with anything
unusual or extraordinary, and which might indicate a disordered
understanding, I do not judge of it. We read Plato with
admiration ; but there is nothing to be met with in his works
which, if related by another person, might not be deemed
extravagant, inconceivable, and absurd. But I grow too prolix,
Sir, and you may be tired with such a long and hastily written
letter. This I have written with a view of satisfying in some
manner your desire, and thus of proving the perfect esteem,
with which I have the honour to be, Sir,
"Your obedient servant,
"HÖPKEN.
"Skenninge, May 11 , 1772.
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