ways. This also makes clear what is meant by the Lord's
words:

Enter ye in through the narrow gate; for wide is the gate
and broad is the way that leadeth to destruction, and many
be they that enter in thereby; for straitened is the way
and narrow the gate that leadeth to life, and few be they
who find it (Matt. 7:13, 14).

The way that leads to life is straitened not because it is difficult
but because there are few who find it, as is said here. The stone
seen at the corner where the broad and common way ended, and from
which two ways were seen to lead in opposite directions, illustrated
what is signified by these words of the Lord:

Have ye not read what is written? The stone which the
builders rejected was made the head of the corner.
Whosoever shall fall upon that stone shall be broken
(Luke. 20:17, 18).

"Stone" signifies Divine truth, and "the stone of Israel" the Lord in
respect to His Divine Human; the "builders" mean those who are of the
church; "the head of the corner" is where the two ways are; "to fall"
and "to be broken" is to deny and perish.{1}

{Footnote 1} "Stone" signifies truth (n. 114, 643, 1298, 3720,
6426, 8609, 10376). For this reason the law was inscribed on
tables of stone (n. 10376). "The stone of Israel" means the
Lord in respect to the Divine truth and His Divine Human (n.
6426).

535. I have been permitted to talk with some in the other life who
had withdrawn from worldly affairs that they might live in a pious
and holy manner, also with some who had afflicted themselves in
various ways, believing that they were thereby renouncing the world
and subduing the lusts of the flesh. But as most of these have thus
acquired a sorrowful life and had withdrawn from the life of charity,
which life can be lived only in the midst of the world, they are
incapable of being affiliated with angels, because the life of angels
is a life of joy resulting from a state of blessedness, and consists
in performing good deeds, which are works of charity. Moreover, those
who have lived a life withdrawn from worldly employments are inflamed
with the idea of their own merit, and are continually desiring heaven
on that account, and thinking of heavenly joy as a reward, utterly
ignorant of what heavenly joy is. When such are admitted into the
company of angels and into their joy, which discards merit and
consists in active labors and practical services, an