Page:The Practical Nature of the Theological Writings of Emanuel Swedenborg.djvu/150

122 means more than your Grace, are we not here presented with an event, and an explanation?—But what of the practical application!

Take the case of another prophecy:

"See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be one stone left upon another that shall not be thrown down." Suppose now that a state of Christendom should arise in which it is divided against itself, and present as a whole a scene of disorganization; suppose this to be one reason why Christianity has lost its power over the world, and is paralyzed in its efforts against the superstitions of the heathen; and that infidelity and Rationalism are prevalent in countries where Christianity should possess a powerful sway; nation fighting against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, all under the plea of contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.—Here is an event! Now it is an ancient interpretation that stone means truth; stones of the, truths of the ; and that one stone not left upon another which shall not be thrown down, means one truth of the Church not left upon another which shall not be thrown down. Here is an explanation! But where is the application? Does not one Church apply it, either in whole or in part, to another? But what Church will apply it to itself? What Church does not think itself the very Church to which the prophecy was not meant to apply?

What is the consequence? The event may happen—the explanation be given—but what becomes of the application? Shall we refer to Swedenborg? But on this very subject he is said to be non-practical, a fanatic, and an