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1046 [Doc. 314.
APPENDIX.
while we hold any of them in esteem, the true doctrine is
altogether denied admittance ; wherefore Swedenborg, agreeably
to the private communication, which he imparted to me, and
which I have above related, did himself derive from the Word
alone, under the instruction of the Lord, those doctrines which
are taught in heaven; and if he understands them, and has
the felicity to read also in heaven that Word, which is
there preserved, and which corresponds with our Word as to
every particular (for correspondences are natural truths and
mirrors of celestial things, A. C. 9300) , in the sense which is
adapted to the celestial spirits (Doctrine of the New Jerusalem,
nos. 70-75, likewise Last Judgment, no. 57), can there be any
apprehension as to his being a true interpreter of the Scrip
tures? When you say you consider him as one who is
constantly advancing his visions, or rather memorable relations,
I willingly admit it. But in the Arcana Calestia, no. 1967, and
elsewhere, passages which deserve your attention, give satis
factory information of the difference which subsists between a
prophet and a visionary; if you please you may add to the
above nos. 1806, 1786 ; from The Divine Providence, no. 134 ; and
from Heaven and Hell, nos. 76 and 249. The inmost, or celestial
meaning of the Word, is itself the right doctrine of the church ;
the Word yields the doctrine, and the doctrine is the whole
of the Word: now this cannot be taught better, by any means,
than through a seer, forasmuch as it cannot be seen without
an especial illumination, which a seer enjoys above others, his
sight beeing opened by the Lord into the light of heaven.
"[II.] I do not know that any man ever treated the sub
ject of the [literal] sense of the Scriptures as of greater
holiness than the author in question ; we may, therefore,
directly and openly meet the accusation with which he is
attacked, as one who speaks meanly and slightingly of the
literal meaning of the Scriptures, and who consequently has
committed errors. In the Arcana Coelestia, no. 7055, he proves,
in a masterly manner, that the very words of the Scripture
have been inspired. In the Doctrine of the New Jerusalem
concerning the Sacred Scripture, which is professedly a work
devoted to our present inquiry, he proves, with, in my opinion,
the most comprehensive and unshaken arguments, that the
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