Spiritual Experiences (Odhner) n. 1312

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1312. If truths are taken as premises or principles, then countless confirmatory truths are discovered

It is known that whatever theory a person embraces as a principle, or as a leading truth, many seemingly true confirmations join with it. In this way falsities are finally born, very many from one. But if a truth is taken as a premise, there is nothing that does not confirm it. Take, for example, what I proposed to spirits: When the truth is accepted that a spirit does not possess the kind of memory that man has, thus does not know what is past and gone, then, because this has been Divinely ordained and established, innumerable affirming truths join with it. For thus his highest happiness is realized, and otherwise no happiness, and no heaven, and everyone would be made anxious by things past, about things to come. He would long for them, and every day be depressed by worries, as those on earth are. Then he would trust in himself, not letting himself to be ruled by the Lord, and [be influenced by] countless other factors contrary to a condition of happiness. Therefore the Lord commanded that man should not be depressed by such cares, by worrying about the morrow [Matt 4:34]. 1748, 12 March.


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