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1008 [Doc. 313.
SWEDENBORG’S WRITINGS.
the hands of the most eminent in Germany. I have been informed
that they have attentively perused it, and that some have already
discovered the truth, while others do not know which way to turn ;
for what is written therein is sufficient to convince any one that
the above-mentioned doctrine is the cause of our having at the
present day no theology in Christendom" (See Document 240, p. 273).
Under the date of April 23 he wrote to Dr. Beyer, "Of the work
last published entitled ’ Brief Exposition,’ &c., I send you only one
copy, which you will please keep for yourself alone, and not com
municate to any one else: for it produces a change in the whole
of that theology which has up to the present day prevailed in
Christendom and partly sets forth also that theology which will be
for the New Church" (See Document 241 , p. 275). Under the date
of November 17, 1769, he wrote to Count Höpken, "It is certain
that the Brief Exposition,’ &c. meets with adverse criticisms ; yet
only in the beginning, as long as men are in darkness on account
of preconceived and false principles. Since, however, that which is
rational has light within itself, even in theological matters, there
fore, the truth will gradually be seen and acknowledged, as has been
the case in many places abroad . . . When this preliminary treatise
was finished, the whole heaven from east to west, and from south to
north, appeared to me covered with beautiful roses of a deep scarlet
colour, so that all who were present with me in the world of spirits,
were astonished at it; this was a sign of the assent and joy of the
New Heaven" (See Document 244, p. 281). The same phenomenon
is described by Swedenborg in Document 301 , "A Sketch of an
Ecclesiastical History of the New Church," where we read, "When
the Brief Exposition, ’ &c., was published, the angelic heaven from
the east to the west, and from the south to the north, appeared of
a deep scarlet colour with the most beautiful flowers. This took
place before myself, and before the kings of Denmark and others."
...
In the same "Sketch," &c., we read, "In the spiritual world there
was inscribed on all my books ’ The Lord’s Advent.’ The same I also
wrote by command on two copies in Holland." One of these copies
has been recently discovered ; it is a copy of the "BriefExposition," &c.
For further particulars, see footnote to Document 301 , p. 757.
On April 26, 1769, Swedenborg left Amsterdam for Paris
(see Document 241), and proceeded thence to London, where he
published his little treatise on the "Intercourse between the Soul
and the Body" (no. 141). While in London he also caused an
English edition of the "Brief Exposition," to be published. This
appeared under the following title: "A Brief Exposition of the
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