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