A fountain of gardens watered by the rivers of divine pleasure, and springing up in all the variety of spiritual plants; blown up the pure breath into a paradise, sending forth their sweet savours, and strong odours, for soul-refreshing. By Jane Lead.

Query. How are Spirits to be Discern'd.

IF this Query refers to the Persons themselves, who are, or suppose them∣selves led by a Good Spirit, it is Answer∣ed, That the Manner of Discernment is by Sensation, which is not to be de∣scribed. This Sensation like the New Song, the New Name, and the White Stone, they only who do experiment, and while they do experiment, are able to distinguish. But then it may be Que∣ried, How shall they who suppose them∣selves to be led by a True Spirit, and are not, be enabled to discern aright in this matter, since they are without this Spi∣ritual Sensation, by which the others are assur'd concerning the Truth of their Visions and Revelations? Ans. They are to seek for it of God, by a perfect Mortification of their own Wills, and especially as to these very supposed Fa∣vours; and by most instant and violent Prayer. Thus some who upon the Com∣mission of an evilthing, have been depriv'd of the Good Spirit of God, which they did enjoy, and have been deliver'd up to a Spirit of Delusion for some time,

Satan all this while exactly Personating an Angel of Light, giving forth false Oracles, and opening a false Paradise up∣on them; have been again restored to their former Enjoyments and Divine Sensation, the Scenes of the false Para∣dise made to drop into pieces, and the true One to Open, and the Evil Spirit forced to stand before the Angel whom he had Personated. If it be further Queried, Whether, and How, do those that are truly led by the Holy Spirit, dis∣cern the Spirits by which others are led? The Answer will be, That all are not able to do so, but only some that are ar∣riv'd to a very high Degree, and great Experience in the Supernatural Life. As for the Manner of Discerning, it is the same with respect to others as to them∣selves; there being no Mark so certain here as that of Internal Sensation. Thus Spiritual Things are spiritually discern∣ed, felt, and received: and the Spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Pro∣phets. But if in the last place it be de∣manded, How then shall those who are Strangers to these Leadings of the Spirit, and who desire alike neither to fall into any Errour, nor to resist the Truth, be able to govern themselves in this Matter?

To this the Answer is very easie, That they are not to perplex themselves in this Inquiry, so long as they remain either Carnal, or Rational, but to endeavour by all means, according to the clear Path chalk'd out in the Scriptures, to become Sdiritual. To which State when they are arriv'd, they need not fear being able to judge or themselves: and if with respect to others they shall not be presently capable to judge, they can be under no apprehension of any danger, so they do but follow the pure Dictates of the Spi∣rit to themselves; and therefore they will desire this satisfaction, no further then as it shall be given them from Above. However even they who are not ar∣riv'd beyond the Rational Life, need not be much mistaken, while they con∣tinue so. For if that which is said to be Revealed, be of weighty concern either to that Particular Soul, or to the publick, and if it directly tend to Purity of Life, and to the Exaltation of God, and the Humi∣liation of Man; then if it be not plainly disagreeable with what has been for Certain before Reveal'd, even they according to their meer Natural Reason ought not to slight it.