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1050 [Doc. 314.
APPENDIX
.
annexed to this letter, that Swedenborg’s doctrine on this point
is justly held to be apostolic.
"[VII ] But you, reverend Sir, and your much esteemed
colleague, Mr. Seitz, suppose that our great author has
committed a blameable error respecting the sacred authority
of Paul, by not acknowledging his and the other apostolic
writings to be canonical, by refusing them the dignity of the
Divine Word; this will be best cleared up, by a letter from
Swedenborg himself, which he wrote to me from Amsterdam,
the 15th of April, 1766, as follows : -
’In respect to the writ
ings of the apostles and Paul, I have not quoted them in the
Arcana Coelestia, because they are doctrinal writings, and
consequently are not written in the style of the Word, like
those of the prophets, of David, of the Evangelists, and the
Book of Revelation. The style of the Word consists alto
gether of correspondences, wherefore it is effective of imme
diate communication with heaven ; but in doctrinal writings
there is a different style, which has indeed communication
with heaven, but mediately. They were written thus by the
apostles, that the new Christian Church might be commenced
through them ; wherefore matters of doctrine could not be
written in the style of the Word, but they had to be
expressed in such a manner, as to be understood more clearly
and intimately. The writings of the apostles are, nevertheless,
good books of the church, insisting upon the doctrine of charity
and its faith as strongly as the Lord Himself has done in the
Gospels and the Book of Revelation ; as may be seen and
found evident by every one who in reading them directs his
attention to these points. That Paul’s expression in Romans ii,
28, concerning Justification by Faith has been quite misunder
stood, is proved in the Apocalypsis Revelata, no. 417, to which
you may refer; wherefore the doctrine of Justification by
Faith Alone, which constitutes the theology of the Reformed
churches at the present day, is built on an entirely false
foundation.’
"Let us now judge of this charge against him. In truth,
I could more readily and speedily do away with many of the
errors with which he is reproached, and from which he must
be freed, if you, reverend Sir, would allow me to introduce,
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