Page:A Cloud of Independent Witnesses.djvu/66

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6o A CLOUD OF WITNESSES.

And Mr. Hood believes that the great Architect has given to Swedenborg the Key to the sublime mysteries of the Word — to its deep spiritual meaning. He says : —

" The Bible is written from Appearances and from Correspondences. How can the Book be at all understood unless this be considered? But in order that there may be some attempt at solution, let us attempt the analysis of the doctrine of certain Correspondences. We believe it will be found that, after a little study in reading the Scriptures, we shall learn to think not from the expressions, but from the hidden significations. Swedenborg removes the veil; and truly wonderful it is to find how, by this principle of interpretation, the most opposite passages of the Sacred Book are found to have consistency and coherence; the mind of the Book becomes more plain and clear. As it is, the unenlightened mind is compelled, in * hearing, to hear and not to understand,' and in * seeing, to see and not perceive.' What is the greater part of the Sacred Writings to most minds, but a tone — a sound without a meaning or a sense? " (p. 369.)

" You may denounce Swedenborg as a fanatic, a dreamer, a mystic; but at any rate you must have his skcred piety and exalted aspirations in some homage, before whom the priest's Breastplate, the Tabernacle

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