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462 TESTIMONY OF CONTEMPORARIES. [ Doc. 256.
[Swedenborg does not speak of his "new heavenly doctrine"]
in a general way, the mere epithet new is enough to raise a
prejudice against it. We have an old, prophetic, and ’more
sure Word’ (2 Peter i, 19) which we must observe. The
apostle John says in his first epistle (iv, 1), although our new
teacher has the daring to regard it not as the Word of God,
’Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether
they are of God.’ And the apostle Paul reminds us (1 Thess. v,
19-21 ), ’Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things ; hold fast that which is good.’ Whoever is
patient, and able to prove, will still find some good [in this
work]. It may in truth be said concerning it : sunt bona mixta
mali (good are mixed with evil things). I at least am willing,
nay contrained to confess, that he has said many things of which
I had never thought. No scholar, at least not one versed in
natural science, will doubt Mr. Swedenborg’s science. It does
not seem to me sufficient, that a theologian who, from pride
or indolence, is not willing to examine his works, should shout
with a loud voice with Festus (Acts xxvi, 24), Swedenborg
is beside himself, much learning has made him mad ; what
wisdom can be expected from a madman ; or that others,
who like to be considered as faithful watchmen on the walls
of Zion, should say superciliously, "The good that Sweden
borg has said is old, and all the new which he says is good
for nothing.’ I admit that a good deal of this may be true ;
still if the theologians, whose vocation it is to examine and
defend the truth, had acted conscientiously and honestly, they
would not have kept silence so long, and they would not have
allowed this man to write unchallenged all these things, which
may be true or untrue. I have listened to the judgment of
many men concerning Swedenborg. Some, especially such as
knew the character of this intrinsically amiable man, have
pitied him; others have called him a visionary. A certain
young scholar, who had only read his treatise De Amore con
jugiali, was inclined to consider him a Socinian. I could very
easily convince him that he had but turned over the leaves
of his book, and had read it without reflection. If ever there
has been a zealous Anti-Arian and Anti-Socinian, that man
without doubt is Emanuel Swedenborg."
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