be compared with the prophets, as the former received revealed truths into his rational principle and communicated them to the world, having an understanding of their meaning and quality; while the latter received and communicated Divine Truth, of the quality and import of which they were almost entirely ignorant. Spiritual truths appeared to the latter miraculous, to the former, as above miracles. But concerning the difference of illumination between Swedenborg and the prophets, evangelists, &c., but more particularly the men of the most ancient church, a better idea may be had in an extract from his diary on the subject of miracles:

'Instead of miracles there has taken place at the present day an open manifestation of the Lord himself, an intromission into the spiritual world, and with it illumination by immediate light from the Lord in whatever relates to the interior things of the church, but principally an opening of the spiritual sense of the Word, in which the Lord is present in his own Divine Light. These revelations are not miracles, because every man as to his spirit is in the spiritual world, without separation from his body in the natural world. As to myself, indeed, my presence in the spiritual world is attended with a certain separation, but only as to the intellectual part of my mind, not as to the will part. This manifestation of the Lord, and intromission into the spiritual world, is more excellent than all miracles; but it has not been granted to any one since the creation of the world as it has been to me. The men of the golden age indeed conversed with angels; but it was not granted to them to be in any other light than what is natural. To me, however, it has been granted to be in both spiritual and natural light at the same time; and hereby I have been privileged to see the wonderful things of heaven, to be in company with angels,

just as I am with men, and at the same time to pursue truths in the light of truth, and thus to perceive and be gifted with them, consequently to be led by the Lord.'

We here introduce an extract of a letter written by Swedenborg, in 1766, to Mr. Oettinger, superintendent of the mines in Sweden. It will be perceived that it was written in answer to some questions relative to the office alluded to above:

'To your interrogation, Whether there is occasion for any sign that I am sent by the Lord to do what I do? I answer, that at this day no signs or miracles will be given, because they compel only an external belief, but do not convince the internal. What did the miracles avail in Egypt, or among the Jewish nation, who nevertheless crucified the Lord? So, if the Lord was to appear now in the sky, attended with angels and trumpets, it would have no other effect than it had then. See Luke xvi. 29, 30, 31. The sign given at this day, will be an illustration, and thence a knowledge and reception of the truths of the New Church; some speaking illustration of certain persons may likewise take place; this works more effectually than miracles: yet one token may perhaps still be given.

"Why from philosophy I have been chosen to this office? Unto which I give for answer, to the end that the spiritual knowledge, which is revealed at this day, might be rationally learned, and naturally understood; because spiritual truths answer unto natural ones, inasmuch as these originate and flow from them, and serve as a foundation for the former. That what is spiritual is similar unto, and corresponds with what is human or natural, or belonging to the terrestrial orb, may be seen in the treatise on Heaven and Hell, No. 87, to 102, and 103 to 115. I was, on this account, by the Lord, first

not

introduced into the natural sciences, and thus prepared from the year 1710 to 1744, when heaven was opened unto me. Every one is morally educated and spiritually regenerated by the Lord, by being led from what is natural to what is spiritual. Moreover, the Lord has given unto me a love of spiritual truth, that is to say, with any view to honor or profit, but merely for the sake of truth itself; for every one who loves truth, merely for the sake of truth, sees it from the Lord, the Lord being the way and the truth. See John xiv. 6. But he who professes the love of truth for the sake of honor or gain, sees truth from his own selfhood, and to see from one's self, is to see falsity. The confirmation of falsehood shuts the church, but a rational confirmation of truth opens it; what man can otherwise comprehend spiritual things, which enter into the understanding? The doctrinal notion received in the protestant church, viz. that in theological matters, reason should be held captive under obedience to faith, locks up the church; what can open it, if not an understanding enlightened by the Lord? See the book of the Revelations Revealed, No. 914.’

There is an account given of Swedenborg's first illumination or introduction into the spiritual world, which has been attached to the prefaces of some of the early translations of his works. In this account it is represented that his illumination took place at an inn, in London, while at dinner. But there is no mention made of this circumstance in any of his writings, and it has been ascertained that there never was any account of the affair printed, until it first appeared in the preface to a translation in French of the treatise on Heaven and Hell, which was printed many years after Swedenborg's death. Other circumstances relative to Swedenborg are told in the same preface, which are distinctly ascertained to be untrue.

This, together with the fact that the statement first appeared in France, where little was known at that time of Swedenborg and his writings, is sufficient to weaken its credibility. But there is a general impression among the receivers of the doctrines of the New Church, that the narrative, as there given, is, in itself, improbable, and that although it may be in some respects true, it is nevertheless in its detail incorrectly stated.

Swedenborg, while engaged in writing the doctrines of the New Church, resided in London for a number of years, at different periods. His object in going there was to avail himself of some facilities which that place afforded him in publishing his works, and in making them known to the learned world. His works, however, were generally distributed through the medium of his friends; as he himself lived in retirement, and saw but little company. Whenever he took up his residence in Stockholm, he dwelt in his own house, situated in the southern part of the city, having no other attendants than his gardener and the gardener's wife. He had an extensive garden with flowers and shrubbery in abundance, together with a handsome greenhouse, in both of which he took much delight The whole proceeds of the garden, however, were given to the gardener.

He read but little after he commenced unfolding the doctrines of the New Church. In his study no other books were to be seen but the Hebrew and Greek Bible, together with the indexes of his own works, whereby he saved himself the trouble, when referring to different passages, of going through all which he had before

written.

A Swedish gentleman, of advanced age, is still living in Philadelphia, who visited Swedenborg at his house in Stockholm, and held a long conversation with him. This

gentleman is the Rev. Nicholas Collin, Rector of the Swedish Church in Philadelphia. In 1801 Mr. Collin published an account of Swedenborg, in a series of numbers, in the Philadelphia Gazette, which was afterwards copied into the New Jerusalem Repository, published in Philadelphia. An account of Swedenborg from a living witness will doubtless be peculiarly acceptable to many; a portion of his communications, therefore, is here presented. It is proper to remark that Mr. Collin is not a receiver of the doctrines of the New Church, but his motive for making these communications is stated in his first article, in these words:

Swedenborg's writings have, for some years, in this country, been objects of curiosity to several persons, and they have also won disciples to his doctrines, either in the whole or in part. From this have arisen frequent and sedulous inquiries on the character and life of this remarkable man. It having been reported that I had conversed with him, and that I had otherwise known for certain several facts concerning him, I have been requested by several persons, some of them living in distant parts, to communicate such information. To gratify them, and also to prevent mistakes that arise in repeating verbal relations, and even in copies of letters, I choose to state what I can impart in print.'

Mr. Collin commences by introducing Swedenborg's letter to Dr. Hartley, (Appendix No. II.) and then makes some comments on the same.

His family connexions were such as he relates, and well known in Sweden; some of them by myself personally; particularly Bishop Benzelstierna. The mention of his father, being, though honorable, modestly short, I shall enlarge upon it. This Jesper Swedberg was well qualified for one of the principal bishopricks in Sweden,