HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY 1869. May 3 the author. LONDON: J. S. HODSON, PRINTER, 22, PORTUGAL STREET, LINCOLN'S INN. PREFACE. THE object of this volume is to present, in a collected form, some of the striking and beautiful passages scattered through the works of Swedenborg,-each extract, while attractive in itself, embodying at the same time some important principle of the New Church theology or philosophy. The compiler was led to undertake the work, from observing, in his reading of Swedenborg, how often passages occurred, of such a character as to be interesting and valuable, not only in the connection in which they stood, but also in a separate form. It struck him, that a selection of such passages, published in a small volume, might be both pleasing and useful;— useful, not only from the matter contained in the extracts themselves, but also by becoming the means, perhaps, of leading some minds to the precious works from which they were taken. With these views, the writer undertook the task of selecting and transcribing the passages which are contained in the present volume ;-which, though a work both of considerable time and labour, was yet a pleasant one, for it kept the mind within the sphere of those pure and heavenly truths, of which the extracts treat. That the Divine blessing may go with this volume, and cause it to be a guide and a solace to many minds, is the earnest prayer of the compiler. August 6, 1852. |