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Doc. 314.] 1051
SWEDENBORG AND ETINGER.
instead of my own arguments, Swedenborg’s own defence, as
exhibited in his writings, for surely there never was a man
who wrote in such agreement with Scripture and reason.
"[VIII. ] Miracles and prophecies carry no proofs of an
enlightening conviction ; besides we dare not look for them at
this period of the world. To satisfy ourselves upon this point,
let us examine Matt. xii. 32, 39, xvi. 1—4 ; Mark viii. 11 , 12 ;
Luke xii. 54-56 ; John xx. 29, and what Swedenborg himself
says in his Angelic Wisdom concerning the Divine Providence,
nos. 129-135 , and Conjugial Love, no. 535. To me it appears
that the most Divine seal, and the one most suitable to the
state of all men, respecting Swedenborg’s case, is this, that his
principles harmonise with sound reason, and that a lover of
his writings will find his way cleared by their means from so
many doubts, so many contradictions, and so many doctrines
revolting to sound reason. Truth, as far as it deserves this
name, cannot but be comprehensible and in agreement with
itself, if we are disposed to view and consider it in its own
ground, and in its own order; but who can reach higher
truth-I mean Divine, and, consequently, hidden truth- without
a revelation from God? This truth Swedenborg has brought
to light, and by no means ascribes it to himself, as several
passages in his writings clearly prove ; for example Angelic
Wisdom concerning the Divine Providence, no. 135, and the latter
part of the preface to the Apocalypse Revealed; also in the
work concerning Conjugial Love, no. 532 : and surely mankind
never received the revelation of heavenly and Divine Truths
with greater marks of certainty than the present; if, therefore,
they are not accepted, when they are now so rationally presented,
it cannot be expected that their acceptance can be accom
plished by the assistance of miracles and prophecies ; for how
can heavenly doctrine become ours, if it be not accepted with
our will and understanding? That Swedenborg has knowledge
of hidden occurrences has been proved by a few well attested
instances, but he is indisposed to avail himself of them to
procure assent and credibility to his writings.
"[IX .] And further, reverend Sir, I would not wish you
to take Swedenborg’s declaration, in the conclusion of his
workupon Conjugial Love, respecting the future publication of his
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