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.

September the 14th. 1676. The Holy Incense.

Being in Prayer, I saw somewhat like a Cloud or Vapour of Smoke rising, turning into a Flame, and so ascending upward. Then said I, Lord what mean∣eth this? Then was replyed, This is the Incense which doth scent and per∣fume thy Supplications. All Interces∣sions are weak, and no ways prevalent, but as the Spirit entreth the secret Holy Place, and doth bring down from that Altar, which is fixed between the Che∣rubs, and from thence to let fall a per∣fuming Coal among the spicy Odours. Which are all compounded by the Arti∣ficer, within the inward Sanctuary, who hath the Charge of all the Holy Things. Therefore it is such a principal Ointment, as none is to be made like to it, being so rare, pure, and sacred, that it is not

to be poured upon Man's Flesh, but it will devour and consume them, if they shall but go about to counterfeit the same. As it was by those, which offered strange Incense before the Lord. There∣fore none hath Right hereunto, but the most harmless, holy, and separated, who have not defiled themselves with the Dead, and creeping things of the World∣ly outward Court. But know and con∣sider whereunto ye are come, upon whom this Spicy Union hath fallen; into whose Hand the Golden Vial is given to offer with your Prayers this cloudy pure Incense, which is of a most high deified Nature. The all-searching Spirit hath found out this sweet perfumed Matter for you, that so ye might have success in your Altar-Oblations. Oh then now with Joy enter the Tabernacle, that is anointed with this perfumed Oil, for ye may expect this Golden Incense upon the flaming Altar will have all prevalence. Because it is derived from the Everlasting Mountain of Myrrh and Frankincense, which is the most precious Fuel for your Offering; which must ascend beyond the Sphear of Seraphims, to reach the Heart of your great High Priest. Who is set

over all the lower Priesthood to view and see, who in the holy Order of Con∣secration do keep, bringing their Cen∣sers to be filled with Fire, from those perfuming Coals, which can be found no where but in this Altar, which are exalted within the Heavens. The Spi∣rit taking and scattering these Coals, that so the Earth in you may be all a flaming Light, burning from this Incense Matter, which perfumes the Breath of all your Prayers, so that your God may smell that which may bring down Blessings accor∣ding to your Will. Being so compoun∣ded in every part, with the Spikenard and Altar-Fire; as to be one continual ascending Power and perfuming Pillar of sacred Fire. With which my dear Lord, do thou mightily shine upon those who appointed are hereunto, and them more highly inspire.