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dessolation of iniquity and ungodliness described in Matt. xxiv, Mark xiii. Luke xxi. and Rev. xii. xiii. xiv. xv. xvi. xvii. xviii. xix. which so tremenduously characterize the present awful times? And what shall oppose this flood and dessolation, but the fulfillment of the blessed prediction, that "Then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in heaven to gather together His elect,"[1] and thus establish His New Church (called the New Jerusalem) of pure, spiritual, and uncorrupted worshippers? Is it possible then to conceive a more sublime, more just, or more edifying idea of the Second Advent of the Great Saviour than what is here presented to view, whilst He is seen in these latter days unveiling Himself again in his most Holy Word, as the God of that Word and of the Church, as having all power both in heaven and in earth, as One with the Eternal Father, and as thus checking all the infernal powers of evil and of error by the Revelation of the lost and needful knowledge of Himself, His Word and Kingdom?
Let us therefore take heed lest that rebuke come upon us,which fell on the Jews of old, where it is written, "Behold ye despisers, and wonder and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you."[2] And let us labour rather to secure all the opposite commendation and recompense announced in those consolatory and animating words, which the Holy Ghost spake by the mouth of Elizabeth the mother of John the Baptist, "Blessed is she who believeth that there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord."[3][4]
XII. I receive the Testimony of Baron Swedenborg. because he is presented to the world in the honourable and highly distinguished character of a Seer, as well as an expositor of the Sacred Scriptures, and because in that character he has been enabled to communicate information of the highest importance to the happiness and well-being of mankind.
THE doubt and reluctance with which the above character at this day admitted by some, added to the utter denial and aversion with which it is altogether rejected by others; the immeasurable distance thus interposed between the two worlds of matter and of spirit, and the immoveable barrier which is conceived to obstruct all communication between their respective inhabitants, are considerations which excite in the bosom of the sincere christian a source of the deepest regret, because they convince him, to his pain, at what a lamentable variance the prevailing sentiments of mankind are with the eternal principles and persuasions presented to view in the Word of the Most High.
1 Matt. xxiv. 30, 34. 2 Acts xiii. 41. 3 Luke i. 45. 4 See' the Hon. Author's Work entitled, True Christian Religion, n. 753 to n. 791.
