CHAPTER III.

OF THE SECOND WAY OF THE RETURN OF THE SOUL TO GOD, WHICH IS THE PASSIVE WAY, BUT ONE OF LIGHT, AND OF TWO KINDS OF INTRODUCTION TO IT — DESCRIPTION OF THIS CLASS, AND OF THEIR STRIKING ADVANTAGES — VARIOUS NECESSARY PRECAUTIONS AND OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING THIS CLASS, THEIR CONDUCT, PERFECTIONS, IMPERFECTIONS, AND EXPERIENCES.

'T'HE second class are like those large rivers which move with a slow and steady course. They flow with pomp and majesty ; their course is direct and easily followed ; they are charged with merchandise, and can go on to the sea without min-gling with other rivers ; but they are late in reaching it, being grave and slow. There are even some who never reach it at all, and these, for the most part, lose themselves in other larger rivers, or else turn aside to some arm of the sea. Many of these rivers serve to carry merchandise, and are heavily laden with it. They may be kept back by sluices,