А A SYSTEMATIC AND ORDERLY EPITOME OF ALL HIS RELIGIOUS WORKS; SELECTED FROM MORE THAN THIRTY VOLUMES, AND EMBRACING ALL HIS FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES, WITH COPIOUS ILLUSTRATIONS AND TEACHINGS. WITH AN APPROPRIATE INTRODUCTION. PREFACED BY A FULL LIFE OF THE AUTHOR; WITH A BRIEF VIEW OF ALL HIS WORKS ON SCIENCE, PHILOSOPHY, AND THEOLOGY. SECOND THOUSAND. “There are five classes of those who read my writings. The first reject them entirely, because they BOSTON: The design of this WORK is, to exhibit, in a condensed form, the Life and As a man of Science, and a PhiLOSOPHER of Nature, as a SEER and Theolo- The following is an explanation of the abbreviated titles of the works referred to in this COMPENDIUM. T. C. R. TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. D. L. W. DIVINE LOVE AND WISDOM. BRIEF EXPOSITION OF THE DOCTRINES L. J... LAST JUDGMENT. – L. I. contin., LAST E. U. · EARTHS IN THE UNIVERSE. JUDGMENT CONTINUED. NATURE OF INFLUX BETWEEN SOUL AND DOCTRINE CONCERNING THE SACRED W. H. ... CONCERNING THE WHITE HORSE, Rev. xix. * It should be remarked, in respect to the quotations from the “ Spiritual Diary,” that this work is not considered the same 4-1-69 763331-291 An attempt is here made to present a fuller ac-to the labors of this “Great Humble Man," in count than any yet, of the Life and Writings of whose works on these interesting subjects can be the most extraordinary man who has ever lived. found the seeds or principles of all that is known He was a man who has evidently done as much of the Essences, Forms, Powers and Uses of to say the least, to benefit humanity, though not Universal Matter; and how far he was in advance yet appreciated because of the high sphere in of Bacon, Leibnitz, Newton, La Place, Kepler, trious benefactors. We are aware, when we speak and author; and at the same time perfectly free Let truth and time, then, speak for themselves. any of them, as to who should be the greatest in Swedenborg is evidently the most unknown man the Kingdoms of Nature. It may be said of him, of the world. There is more to learn, and less most truly, that he set one foot of the compass learned, of his voluminous and interminable wis- of truth in God, and with the other, swept all dom, than the superficial, yea, than the scientific creation, both animate and inanimate.” And this and philosophic of this world, are by any measure is particularly true, when we consider him as the aware of. And it is a pleasing contemplation at Seer, Theologian, and Philosopher of spirit. this day, to see a manifestly popular and growing In the present work, we have aimed at a fuller desire to know more of the great Philosopher and presentation of him as a man of Science and Phi- Seer of the latter ages, than can be found in losophy, than can be found in any other Biography; Cyclopædian, Biographical, and Theological Dic- and this not only for the purpose of showing the tionaries, most of which bear false witness against perfectly irrational character of those charges him and his doctrines. He is still regarded by against him as a mere visionary, void of a solid un- many, as an insane visionary, or somnambulic derstanding, and how the world is mistaken in dreamer; a very learned and good man, but de- one of her greatest sons ; but also for the purpose ranged on the subject of Theology. Others, and of showing how well prepared he was, in all the their number is now largely increasing, are be- natural knowledge which man could then acquire, ginning to regard him as a man of true spiritual for that sacred office to which he was at last enlightenment, of enlarged ideas of God, of Na- called, as the illuminated Teacher of the New ture, and of the Spiritual Spheres, but still far Church. from correct in many of his principles and teach- But from the character of this Work, being ings. Still another class, though as yet but small, more of a compilation than an original composi- have a right appreciation of his noble genius and tion, we here make one acknowledgment for all, of indebtedness to the various Biographers of It is perhaps useless, to say in this Preface to a Swedenborg, especially to Wilkinson and Rich; Life and Writings which will speak for them- also to various minor publications, such as the COMPILER. PAGE Doctrines of the New Church, and Com- SWEDENBORG, THE PHILOSOPHER OF 5 Intercourse between the Soul and Body, 91 Travels and first Publications, 8 Persecution, and Defence of his Opinions, 92 14 Spiritual Phenomena. The Insane and 17 Offering to Science. Journey to Amster- 21 dam. An Evening at Copenhagen, 95 Philosophy of the Infinite, and the Inter- Our Opinions follow us into the next Life, 97 course between Soul and Body, 23 Testimonies to Spiritual Intercourse, 97 Travels, and Remarks on Political and True Christian Religion, 25 Mental Peculiarities. Last Sickness, 99 Economy of the Animal Kingdom, 26 His Connection with Rev. John Wesley, 100 The Blood and the Spirituous Fluid, 28 Close of his Earthly Life, Brains, Heart and Lungs, 33 Miscellaneous Works. Their Character Personal Testimonies and Anecdotes, 103 40 Phenomena of Spiritual Intercourse, . 105 Philosophic and Scientific Genius, . 45 Sleep, . Editions of the Bible made Use of by SWEDENBORG, THE SEER, THEOLOGIAN, Inward Breathings, and other Indications 49 Opening of Swedenborg's Spiritual Sight, 51 First Preparations for his new Mission, , 57 Qualifications for his sacred Office, 112 62 Children's Questions answered, . 116 63 Opening of Religions and Superstitions, . 116 65 Opening of History and Science, 118 Doctrine of the New Jerusalem, 68 The Philosophers are the Mystics,. Spiritual Sight. Immanuel Kant, 69 Swedenborg wanted, Spiritual Intercoursc, 70 72 APPENDIDX . 123 74 First public Advertisement of Sweden- 76 First Reception of the Writings of Swe- 78 Notice of the London Monthly Review, . 126 79 Extract from the Commencement of Wil- 80 Testimony of Professor Gorres, · 127 81 Extract from the Memoir by Rev. O. Visit from Virgil. Deceased King, 84 Testimony of the late Rev. John Clowes, LIFE AND AND WRITINGS OF PART I. filled my parents with astonishment, and made them declare at times, that certainly the anSWEDENBORG, THE PHILOSOPHER OF gels spoke through my mouth. NATURE 4. * From my sixth to my twelfth year, it was my greatest delight to converse with the 1. EMANUEL SWEDENBORG was born at clergy concerning faith ; to whom I often obStockholm, the capital of Sweden, January served, that charity or love is the life of faith, 29, 1688. He was the third child, and the and that this vivifying charity or love is no second son, of seven children. His father, other than the love of one's neighbor; that Dr. Jesper Swedberg, was for several years God vouchsafes this faith to every one; but chaplain of a regiment of cavalry, but was that it is adopted by those only who practise finally made Bishop of Skara, in West Goth- that charity. I knew of no other faith or beland, and also superintendent of the Swedish lief at that time, than that God is the Creator Lutheran churches in London, Eng., and Penn- and Preserver of nature ; that he endues man sylvania, U. S., their location in this country with understanding, good inclinations, and being about the Delaware, and their station other gifts derived from these. I knew nothin Philadelphia. He was a man of considering at that time of the systematic or dogmatic able learning and abilities, free from bigotry kind of faith, that God the Father imputes and sectarianism, and bore an excellent pri- the righteousness or merits of his Son to vate and public character. It is said that one whomsoever, and at whatever times, he wills, of the family came to America and settled in even to the impenitent. And had I heard of Canada. The bishop mentions in his diary, such a faith, it would have been then, as now, " that he, his wife, and all his children, except perfectly unintelligible to me.” Catharina, were born on a Sunday.” 5. This information from Swedenborg him2. The character of this prelate stood high self shows at how early a period he was penein Sweden; his voice was heard on great occa- trated with that theological reform which is sions, whether to reassure the people under all in all in his latest writings; and when to the calamity of battle or pestilence, or to re- this it is added, that his sayings at the time buke the vicious manners of the upper classes, were so extraordinary that his parents used to or the faults of the king himself; he labored declare that “the angels spoke through his with constant and vigorous patriotism to rouse mouth,” we see how deeply were the preparathe public spirit of the country for useful and tions laid for that spiritual and mental condiChristian objects. Swedenborg's parentage tion which his mature years were to present. and home were, therefore, happy omens of 6. In the sequel we shall have to point out his future life; he was brought up with strict some psychological peculiarities that occurred at but kindly care; was carefully educated by his morning and evening prayers " during his his father in all innocence and scientific learn- tender years; but at present we only note how ing; and enjoyed the opportunities afforded by free his father had left his mind of Lutheran the sphere and example of family virtues, ac- dogmas, and how much his future course was complishments, and high station, with which indebted to this early respect which the Bishop he was surrounded. paid to his son's independence. Reared as 3. The only record we have of his child- he was under a strict ecclesiastic, it is surpris hood is in a letter which he wrote late in life to ing that up to his twelfth year he knew nothDr. Beyer. “ With regard to what passed in ing of the plan of salvation,” whether it argue : the earliest part of my life, about which you his own inability to learn it, or his father's wish to be informed: from my fourth to my disbelief in it, or the omission of the latter, tenth year, my thoughts were constantly en- from whatever motives, to teach it to his son. grossed by reflecting on God, on salvation, Dr. Swedberg, however, was a serious and and on the spiritual affections of man. I earnest man, and under date of April, 1729, often revealed things in my discourse which he thus writes of the subject of our memoir : 66 |