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there?" (L. G. B., I, p. 36.) It refers to a transmutation of the man, which cannot happen all at once; "so highly important a change, that it could not take place without a passing through many distant degrees." (L. G. B., II, p. 78.) We come to a section that is inscribed, "The Magic Journeys." [Probably I shall hardly need now to refer to the meaning of the journey.] It contains all the other phases of the mystical work. "During my spiritual journey to the land of all blessed abundance, a magic outline of it was placed before my eyes, while I was brought to a door which was so low and narrow that I could enter it only by creeping through on my knees, so that it also required great effort and trouble. [Obstacle of the door.] And so I was led farther till, after some time, I came to another door, which was indeed narrow enough but somewhat more comfortable to go through than the first. As I thus proceeded, I came finally to a door that had two valves, one of which opened itself, and was quite right in height and width for my size, and also admitted me to a place of which I could find neither beginning nor end. And I said, 'What am I doing here alone?' Whereupon my invisible guide who had led me through these three doors or gates replied that still others would come after me, when they should hear that there was anywhere so great a country that was to be possessed by new inhabitants, and that should be filled and blessed also with all kinds of goods." (L. G. B., I, p. 40.) [The three gates refer not merely to the three degrees, but have still for themselves another analogue in the initiation. In the old English system the aspirant knocks, because the door offers him a resistance, on the backs of the three officials. They are, as it were, the spiritual doors of the brotherhood. The resistance, and how it is gradually presented in Leade's description, is readily understood psychologically; the nature of the aspirant is the more adapted the further he advances on his work.] "This idea and apparition and the account and explanation following thereupon were very powerful; so that I entered into the thoughts of it ever deeper, ... so that I ... also might perceive the explanation and meaning of the gates. For although my spirit saw naught but an infinite spaciousness [compare previous pages] I perceived and felt [Infinite spread of the lodge in accordance with the examination.] still the blowing of so fragrant and refreshi
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