6028. About the state of C[harles] XII 1besides L[ars] 2and J[acob] 3Benz[elius], R[iksrad] 4Lagerb[erg]
1. ) C[harles] XII was inmostly evil and diametrically opposed to the Divine. When this was discovered, he was eventually cast down into the furthest region of the west and let down very deeply. He became totally like bone.
[2] 2) L[ars] and J[acob] Benz[elius] were such that they could take in nothing of what is Divine, but embraced the lowest urges from hell. They were eventually thrown down into the west, deep below among devils.
[3] 3) R[iksrad] Lagerb[erg] was as it were lifeless, looking as if he were half-dead, and as if he were a wild animal bent because he was tied up all around. Because he had denied what is Divine there was inspired into him thought about what is Divine that was as it were genuinely alive, which he rightly embraced and fully understood, and thus he came alive, which taught him that those have life who acknowledge what is Divine. What his future lot will be, I do not know.
Footnotes:
1. For information on this person see footnote to passage 4704.
2. Lars Benzelius, ennobled to Lars Benzlestierna, married to Swedenborg's sister Hedwig.
3. For information on this person see the footnote to passage 5004.
4. Riksrad, Swedish word for Councilor.
6028. STATE OF C[HARLES] XII., ALSO L[ARS] AND J[ACOB] BENZ[ELIUS], 1R. LAGERB[ERG]. 2
(1.) C[harles] XII - was a most profoundly evil man, and diametrically opposed to the Divine; which being discovered he was at length cast down into the extremity of the west, and let down very deep. He became wholly as it were bony.
(2.) L[ars] and J[acob] Benz[elius] were both such as could receive nothing of the Divine, but only the extreme efforts from hell. They were at length cast down into the west, deeply among the devils.
(3.) R. Lagerb[erg] was, as it were, destitute of life, appearing as if half-dead; and there was, as it were, a winged beast round about, which held him in check. For the reason that he had denied the Divine, as it were a living thought concerning the Divine was inspired in him, which he received well, and fully understood. Thus he became alive; and thus he was instructed that they who acknowledge the Divine have life. I am unaware of his subsequent lot.
Footnotes:
1. These were two brothers. The former, Lars, was ennobled in 1719, and his name modified into Benzelstjerna, by which surname he is usually referred to in the Diary [now called Spiritual Experiences]. He was also a fellow Assessor of Swedenborg at the "College of Mines," from 1722-44, at which latter date he was made "Councillor of Mines." He died in 1755. Jacob, at the time of his death in 1747, was Archbishop (cfr. n, 6033, below) of Upsal. Each married one of Swedenborg's sisters. -TR.
2. This person is identified both by Dr. R. L. Tafel, in his Documents concerning Swedenborg (vol. i., p. 683-4), and by Dr. Achatius Kahl, in his Narratiunculae, as Count Sven Lagerberg, who followed Charles XII as lieutenant and captain in the Russian campaign. -TR.
6028. De statu C. XII tum L. et J. Benz., R. Lagerb.
1) C. XII intime malus et e diametro contra Divinum, quae detecta, tandem in ultimum occidentis dejectus, et profundissime demissus, factus est totus sicut osseus.
2) L. et J. Benz. ambo tales ut nihil Divini recipere possent, sed ex inferno conatus extremos, dejecti tandem in occidentem profunde inter diabolos.
3) R. 1
Lagerb. erat sicut absque vita, apparens sicut semimortuus, et sicut bestia pronata circumcirca quod 2
fraenaretur: ex causa quia negaverat Divinum, inspirabatur ei cogitatio de Divino sicut viva, quam bene recepit et plenius intellexit, sic factus est vivus, ex quo informatus, quod illi vitam habeant qui agnoscunt Divinum; futuram ejus sortem nescio.
Footnotes:
1. = Riksrad = consiliarius (vox suecica)
2. h.e. quod sicut bestia undique prostrata