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SWEDENBORG’S STATE IN 1744. 1083
Let us now see how his account in the "Spiritual Diary" com
pares with his spiritual experience as recorded in his Private Diary
for the years 1743 and 1744. We will take up these points
seriatim.
A. Swedenborg had dreams, during several years, by which he
was informed concerning the things on which he was writing. A
parallel statement to this Swedenborg made in 1746 in his Adver
saria, Vol. II, no. 183, (see Introduction to Document 208, p. 146)
where he says, "At first I had dreams during a number of years,
when I learned something of their real signification."
By these words he confirms in a general way the fact of his
having had significative dreams during the years 1743 and 1744,
and he thus testifies in a general way as to the correctness of his
Private Diary for 1743 and 1744, which consists in a great measure
of such significative dreams.
"By these dreams," he says further, "I was informed concerning
the things on which I was writing." On examining the contents
of his Private Diary for 1744 we find no less than twelve dreams
and visions, by which Swedenborg was informed "concerning the
things on which he was writing;" compare Document 209, nos. 1 , 5,
6, 63, 77, 91, 147, 148, 162, 165, 170, 175, 182, the contents of
which will be found more fully discussed in Note 164.
(
Again, that he learned the signification of these dreams only "in
part," he declares repeatedly; as, for instance, in no. 116, where he
says, "This signifies that God speaks with me and that I comprehend
only the least portion of it ; because it is in representations, of which
I understand as yet very little."
B. Swedenborg experienced changes of state while writing, and
there was an extraordinary light in the things written.
In Document 209, no. 171 we read, "This means probably that
I am engaged now in writing and in bringing forth what I have
undertaken; for during the whole day I found myself in a full state
of illustration in the matters which I have in hand."
Again, "This signifies that my head is being cleared, and that
it is really being cleansed of all that would obstruct these thoughts,
as was also the case the last time ; for it gave me penetration, es
pecially whilst writing. This was also represented to me now, in
that I appeared to write a fine hand (no. 207).
To this may be added an experience recorded by Swedenborg
in the Adversaria, Vol. II, no. 183, where he says : "I had reve
lations, when the very letters appeared written before my eyes, and
were read to me." Such an instance is recorded in no. 65 of his
Private Diary for 1744, where we read, "I perceived that this is
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