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.

The First Vision that appeared to me was in the Month of April, 1670. Which was on this wise;

BEing my lot at that time to visit a Friend in a Solita∣ry Country-place, * 1.1 where I had great advan∣tage of Retirement, often frequenting lonely Walks in a Grove or Wood; contemplating the happy State of the Angelical World; and how desirous I was to have my Conversati∣on there, my thoughts were much ex∣ercised upon Solomon's Choice, which was to find out the Noble Stone of Di∣vine Wisdom; for by acquainting my self with her, all desirable good in Spi∣ritual

things would meet upon me. The Report and Fame that Solomon gave of Wisdom, did much excite me to seek her Favour and Friendship; demurring in my self from whence she was de∣scended, still questioning whether she was a distinct Being from the Deity or no? Which while in this debate with∣in my Mind, there came upon me an overshadowing bright Cloud, and in the midst of it the Figure of a Woman, most richly adorned with transparent Gold, her Hair hanging down, and her Face as the terrible Crystal for bright∣ness, but her Countenance was sweet and mild. At which sight I was some∣what amazed, but immediately this Voice came, saying, Behold I am God•…•… Eternal Virgin-Wisdom, whom thou has•…•… been enquiring after; I am to unseal th•…•… Treasures of God's deep Wisdom unto thee, and will be as Rebecca was unto Ja∣cob, a true Natural Mother; for out o•…•… my Womb thou shalt be brought forth after the manner of a Spirit, Conceived and Born again: this thou shalt know by a New Motion of Life, stirring and giving a restlesness, till Wisdom be bor•…•… within the inward parts of thy Sou•…•…

Now consider of my Saying till I return to thee again.

This Vision took great Impression on me, yet I kept it for the present hid, but it Operated so much upon me, as indeed I was incapable to converse with any Mortals; which was taken notice of, that some extraordinary thing had hap∣pened; for the which I begged my Friends excuse, and desired that she would give me the liberty to be much alone, and to walk in the silent VVoods; where I might contemplate what had so lately happened. Now after three days, sitting under a Tree, the same Fi∣gure in greater Glory did appear, with a Crown upon her Head, full of Majesty; saying, Behold me as thy Mother, and know thou art to enter into Covenant, to obey the New Creation-Laws, that shall be revealed unto thee. Then did she hold out a Golden Book with three Seals upon it, saying, Herein lieth hidden the deep Wonders of Jehovah's Wisdom, which hath been sealed up, that none could, or ever shall break up, but such as of her Virgin-Offspring shall appear to be; who will her Laws receive, and keep, as they shall spring daily in the

New Heart and Mind. This Appearance, and Words, was wonderfully sweet and refreshing in my Soul; at which I bow∣ed, and prostrated at her Feet; pro∣mising to be obedient to all her Laws. So the Vision shut up for that time.

Pondering this in my Heart, with great comfort, that this Day-star had visited me from on high; I returned to Lon∣don to my own Habitation, retiring my self from all my Acquaintance, saving one Person that was highly Illuminated, who encouraged me still to wait upon this Vision; for he was acquainted with somewhat of this kind. So after six days the Vision appear'd again, with a Train of Virgin-Spirits, and with an Angelical Host; and called to me to come and see the Virgin Queen, with her first-born Children; asking me, Whether I was willing to be joyned amongst this Virgin Company? At which I reply'd, All willing to offer up my self most free: Then immediately I was encompass'd about with this Heavenly Host, and made a Spirit of Light. Then these Words from the Virgin proceeded, say∣ing, I shall now cease to appear in a Visible Figure unto thee, but I will not

fail to transsigure my self in thy mind; and there open the Spring of Wisdom and Understanding, that so thou mayst come to know the only True God, in and by the formation of Christ, the anointed Prophet in thee; that shall re∣veal great and wonderful things unto thee, that are to be made known, and publick, in its time and day: Therefore be watchful, and to thy Mother Wis∣dom's Counsel give good heed, and thou shalt greatly prosper, and succeed the Prophets and Apostles to perfect what was left behind, for compleating as to Christ the Fulness of God's great Mystery: So go on, and nothing fear, or doubt; for I thy Glass for Divine See∣ing shall evermore stand before thee. Then my Spirit replyed, According to thy Word let all this be fulfilled. And so this Glory withdrew; but an inward Glory did my Heart sill, for a burning Love to all of those Heavenly Beings did kindle within my Heart vehement∣ly.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See the Pre∣face to the Laws of Paradise.