130 



GhazzaWs Alchemy of Happiness. 



other had the qualities and capacities necessary for the ac- 

 ceptance of it. In accepting the deposit man became 

 bound at the same time to accept the dangers and penal- 

 ties connected with it. 



The doctors of the law have not commented upon these 

 topics to the people in general. But this is not to be won- 

 dered at, when we consider that the mass of the people 

 regard themselves as fixed in their character and position, 

 and not as pilgrims and travellers to a higher state. There 

 is no possibility of unveiling the things of truth, to those who 

 settle down without desiring to make any progress, and 

 who are contented with the first stages and degrees of the 

 sensible world and of the world of fancy. They can nei- 

 ther attain to a spiritual state, nor understand spiritual 

 laws and precepts. We have ventured, however, to unveil 

 a little of the mysteries, as a type of the knowledge be- 

 longing to the future state, so that men might be prepared 

 to understand the questions and affairs relating to that 

 state. But if we had entered into any farther develop- 

 ments, they would not have been able to understand us, 

 for none but those who are endowed with penetration and 

 experience can by any possibility understand the topics to 

 which we have alluded. 



There is a class of foolish people, inquirer after the di- 

 vine mysteries, who have neither capacity for knowledge, 

 or sound judgment to be able to understand anything of 

 themselves, and who have remained doubting and specu- 

 lating about the nature of the future state, till they have 

 become bewildered. Finally, as the lusts of the world 

 harmonized with their natures, they have yielded to the 

 whisperings of Satan, and deny that there is any future 

 state. They pretend that the only need there is of speak- 

 ing of heaven and hell, is for the sake of correcting and 

 guiding the conduct of the people, and they regard as folly 

 the course of those who follow the law and are constant 

 in their devotions. 



