I have read what Dr. Ernesti has written about me on p. 874 of his Theological Library and have seen that it contains nothing but insults against me personally; nor have I noticed there one grain of reason against any matter that is in my writings. It is contrary to the rules of chivalry however to attack anyone with such poisoned weapons, and I therefore consider it beneath my dignity to fight this gentleman in like terms, that is, to hurl back insults and answer accusations with insults. For this would be like two dogs barking and snarling as they fight, or like the lowest type of women who in quarrelling hurl mud from the street into each other's faces. Please read what is written about the mysteries that have been disclosed by the Lord through me His servant in nn. 846-511** of my latest work entitled TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION and then make a judgment about my revelation; but do so from reason.

Moreover a 'memorable occurrence' against this same Dr. Ernesti has been written and inserted in the above-named work TRUE CHRISTIAN RELIGION, n. 137.** Please read this too.

* Dr. Johann August Emesti, professor at Leipzig University, edited the Neue Theologische Bibliothek (New Theological Library) in which he wrote hostile reviews of Swedenborg's theological works. In 1770 Emesti reviewed Prof. H. W. Clemm's Vollstandige Einleitung in die Religion und Theologie. (A Complete Introduction to Religion and Theology), in which the author offered three explanations of Swedenborgian phenomena. 'There is a fourth explanation,' wrote Ernesti 'which without doubt is the correct one. They could be fictitious inventions wherewith he desires to deceive the world; and in his heart he may be laughing at the people - as they deserve - who believe him and do not understand his artfulness. Are there not, in church history, examples enough of such fictitious inventions whereby men have wished to give authority to their own erroneous religious opinions which also have had this effect! And our times are becoming more and more suitable for such deceptions, when learned people find themselves inclined to allow and to substantiate such dreams and fantasies. This Swedenborg well knows.' Two versions of Swedenborg's immediate reply to Ernesti's accusations of fraud and deceit are extant: (1) the autograph which the Dutch merchant J. C. Cuno failed to have printed and distributed as Swedenborg requested, and which is to be found pasted on p. 104 of a copy of the first edition of VERA CHRISTIANA RELIGIO, in the Thysian Library, Leyden, and (2) the printed slip which Swedenborg himself distributed. The text of the latter has been preferred in this edition, and variant readings of the former appear in the critical apparatus. (Bibliography: C. Th. Odhner, Swedenborg and Ernesti, New Church Life, March/April 1912; Ernst Bent, Swedenborg in Deutschland. Vittorio Klostermann, Frankfurt.) ** The Latin text also gives the page numbers of the first Latin edition.