18. [Letter to Count von Hopken, November 17, 1769]
High well-born Herr Count:
Not until the 14th instant did I have the honor of receiving your Excellency's very friendly letter of November 5. It pleases me that the last two books have arrived. That the Summaria Expositio Doctrinae Novae Ecclesiae will meet with censure, as stated by Your Excellency from foresight, is certain; yet, only in the beginning, when one is in darkness from preconceived principles confirmed. But, since the rational has light within itself even in theological matters, the truth will gradually come to be seen and acknowledged. Such has been the case in many places abroad; but since I am in doubt as to whether there is, as yet, this change in Stockholm, I have given but a single copy of the work to Bishop Benzelstierna* with the strict proviso, that it shall in no way be communicated to any other person, for, in my opinion, Benzelstierna is a rational man even in theology, and does not receive irrationalities from obedience to faith.
The reason why preference is given to the Catholics is set forth in no. 105 seq., but in addition is also this reason-that what is regarded is a universal church in the whole of Christendom.
When this preliminary treatise was finished, then, in the world of spirits, the whole heaven, from east to west and from south to north, was seen by me, covered with beautiful crimson roses to the admiration of all who were present there-which was the testification of the New Heaven's consent and pleasure.
In the little work that was sent, and also in my previous writings, by the Son of God, I mean not a Son of God born from eternity but a Son of God conceived and born in the world in whom is the Divine Trinity. In the Apostolic Creed which was the Apostolic Church's Confession of Faith, no other Son of God is mentioned; nor is any other meant in the Gospels, Luke 1: 32, 35, Matthew 3: 17, 17: 5, John 20: 31, 1 Epist. of John 5: 20, 21. The reason why the Nicene Council afterwards assumed a Son of God from eternity and thereby added one more Person as God, was that they found no other way of banning Arius' heresy; and it is in respect to this especially, that the Church of today insists that the understanding shall be withdrawn and concealed in a blind faith. Yet that it comes within man's comprehension to see and have faith, as to how the case herein is, is seen in no. 117 and then in no. 44.
Your Excellency's liking for my writings gives me deep pleasure; therefore I offer thanks, and remain, with respect,
Your high Countship, Excellency's most humble servant Em. Swedenborg Stockholm Nov. 17, 1769 * Lars Benzelstierna (1719-1800), Bishop of Westeras in Westmanland.