The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-11-04

.eltied temper, and liable to the seductious
of 4 warm Imagination.
fhe opinions of this Lady made great
uas.. "a that country, about the war 1857.
lh.y were consulted some time after
wards, by the crt brated Bossuet The
greit and gaod Feurlan undertook her in
dieaboo bnl has book was condemned by
Z pc inneceHt the twelfth.
/" fhe IentaGic philosopher Jacob Bsh
men] was aaiLd af filll.r To this sect. and
published "A bonk which, contains system
Of the most absurd and iacoherers re-, cries,
fh'a perhaps ever gained an admissiou into
the world, II is species of moral chemis-
try aud occult philosophy, hewildering
explanation, aud a cloudy light, which |
will venture 10 say, that neither Sir Isaac
Nrwt0n, nor Mr.. Locke, with all their
clearncss of conception, could have been
able 10 understand.
Law, who wrote the Serious Call, Ia
nonluror of Norrhamptonshire) was an
abettei of these doctrines a man of very
exemplary life, and discriminating talents !;
but 1t was an honor reserved for the late
Baron Swedenborg, IT, carry them To their
very height Of perfection.* Compared
with has, all other writings on the subject,
are but the morning centrasled with the
perfect day. He tells US confidently of his
unrestrained communications with the SD
ritual world, visions, revelations he gives
to every portion of scripture, a natural,
spiritual, and a celestial sense he describes
TO us the very form, and furniture, and
apparatus OF heaven he details to the rea-
der HIg g..f kusth l.. Il
scribcs the condition efJews, Mahometans,
Christians, of the English, French, Dutch,
of clergyman Of every denomination, Iaily,
&c. in another world; he has key, To Nv.
lock All the hitherto impcnetrable secrets
OF inturity, and already whilst in the body,
" knows even as he is known"
"What is the inference +? When i,napinn-
lion, is permitted 10 usurp the place of
reason, fanatclsn becomes a Christina du-
~, and enthusiasm the more credible in pro.
portion as il exceeds all bounds of crodibih-
".
=" What can induce men of sense to hear.
ken to these dreams ? Early preiudices,
confined reading, singular acquaintance, "A
reciuse life, gloomy, speculative, abstrac-
ted turn of mind, and associating togeth-
er, for a long time, particular, However
thcongrrous IDEAS.
This will account for any reyeres. 1t
accounts for insanity Aud men, from
this cause, may, in IA particular instance
suppose rellgion) be insane, though in all
other respects, their minds are ever So Gu
llghtencd or ever so expansive.
1t must, however, he said in favour of
the mystlcs, that their principles inculcatr
IN the strongest manner, the necessity of
spiritual holiness aud regeneration that
their hives IN general, are nnblemshed and
exemplary. Thy are a quiet retired PEG.
pie, who let the world go AS it tcH as to
riches or promotion who enjoy indeed,
IN a passive Snptriortty those tumults of the
crowd, as higher spirits may condescend
to look down, with plying smhe on the
tolls ol mortals; and who deny thrms,ve
all the gayer pleasures, in order 10 relish, in
a snbIner degree, all ihe raptures of deyo-
tnn.
" Ii the opinions Of the quietist spring
from spiritual pride, it is more than they
suspect for they preach up the deepest
self Sbasement, annihilalion, and poverty of
spirit they almost starve The aaimt part
oi Their nature, to nurse the angelic, aud
half hUe on mediation.
" lfsuch people have errors, they should
he touched with gentle hand If they
are msled, IT is in anidbie compary.-
There is not much nInre lovely name
than that Of Fcnelpn. rrw men have pos
sesscd such IA sweetness of piety
81 have but one wish for them, myself, or
any other sect, aud ii is n wish of charity /;
that what is wrong in any Of us, may be
done away, because long to meet them
IN the kingdom of heaven"
Those who embrace the teneis of Baron
swedenborg, have very lately begun to form