SWEDENBORG

AND

MODERN BIBLICAL CRITICISM.

BY THE

REV. EDWIN GOULD, M. A.

K

BOSTON:

HENRY H. & T. W. CARTER,

13 BEACON STREET.

1870.

PREFACE.

SEVERAL excellent works have appeared, embodying the principles of the New Church, as taught in the theological writings of EMANUEL SWEDENBORG, in relation to the nature and origin of the Holy Scriptures, among which may be mentioned, in addition to the works of Swedenborg himself, Noble's 'Plenary Inspiration,' Rendell's 'Peculiarities of the Bible,' Silver's 'Symbolic Character of the Sacred Scriptures,' and 'Holy Word in its Own Defence,' and others. The object of the present publication, however, as its title indicates, is somewhat different.

First, it has been sought to furnish a kind of Introduction, of a popular nature, to the Historical Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments, from the point of view of the New Church, as well as to exhibit the principles of Scriptural interpretation unfolded in the writings of Swedenborg, in their relations to the various theories concerning the nature and origin of those Scriptures in vogue at the present day. Secondly, the author has desired to rescue a great name from the obscurity, among scholars at least, in which it has too long lain buried: a task which he hopes he has, more especially in the opening chapter of the second part of this work, in some measure accomplished.

In the execution of his work, the author trusts that he has been throughout guided by principles of perfect fairness and impartiality, and, in exhibiting the views of