1624. Furthermore, when I took the Word only literally, there were closings, as it were, to the understanding of inward matters. So, in those who cling to the literal meanings of the Word, the brains are hardened, and cut off, so that the way is not open to the inward meaning, still less to the very inward meaning. In this way a crust develops, glued together out of outer bodily and sensual elements. It is different when the way lies open to the sensation of inward elements, the way to the spirit. This way is opened by the Lord Alone. When the mind clings to the literal meaning, and does not go beyond it, another thing that happens is that when people on their own power open the way to inward regions, there are stumbling blocks one after another, as I can confirm from much experience. But such people do not realize what it means to open the way to inward regions on their own power, because they think it cannot happen in any other way. So one who is not led by the Lord can never see, thus never believe, this and similar truths. This is quite evident from the case of spirits, who do not see this either. 1748, 21 March. Some of them know it but do not like to know it, namely, those who are given to know it from actual experience, then let back [into their normal state of mind]. When they are let back into this state, they know that it is so, but do not understand it.