Page:A Compendium of the Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.djvu/131

Rh in succeeding times to Abraham and the prophets, was manifested to them as a man. Hence it may appear that the Infinite Esse never could have been manifested to man except by the Human Essence, consequently by the Lord. (A. C. 1990.)

What proceeds immediately from the very Divine, not even the angels in the inmost heaven can comprehend. The reason is, because it is infinite and thus transcends all, even angelic comprehension. But what proceeds from the Lord's Divine Human, this they can comprehend, for it exhibits God as a Divine Man, of whom some conception can be formed from the Human. (A. C. n. 5321.)

In the Christian churches at this day, it is believed that God, the Creator of the universe, begat a Son from eternity; and that this Son descended and assumed the Human, to redeem and save men. But this is erroneous, and falls of itself to the ground, when it is considered that God is one, and that it is more than fabulous in the eye of reason, that the one God should have begotten a Son from eternity, and also that God the Father, together with the Son and the Holy Ghost, each of whom singly is God, should be one God. This fabulous representation is entirely dissipated when it is shewn from the Word, that Jehovah God Himself descended and became, and became also the Redeemer. As regards the first—That Jehovah God Himself descended and became Man, is evident from these passages: "Behold, a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a Son, who shall be called God with us" (Isaiah vii. 14; Matt. i. 22, 23). "Unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulder, and His name shall be called Wonderful, God, Hero, the Father of Eternity, the Prince of Peace" (Isaiah ix. 6). "It shall be said in that day, Lo, this is our God, whom we have waited for to deliver us; this is Jehovah, whom we have waited for: let us be glad and rejoice in His salvation" (xxv. 9). "The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare a way for Jehovah; make smooth in the desert a way for our God; . . . and all flesh shall see together" (xl. 3, 5). "Behold, the Lord Jehovah is coming in the mighty one, and His arm shall rule for Him; behold. His reward is with Him, . . . and He shall feed His flock like a shepherd" (xl. 10, 11). "Jehovah said, Sing and rejoice, daughter of Zion; behold, I am coming to dwell in the midst of thee; then many nations shall cleave to Jehovah in that day" (Zech. ii. 10, 11). "I Jehovah have called thee in Righteousness, . . . and I will give thee for a covenant of the