A fountain of gardens Vol. II. Being a continuation of the process of a life according to faith, of the divinely magical knowledge, and of the new creation. In mutual entertainments betwixt the essential wisdom, and the soul in her progress through paradise, to Mount Sion, and to the new Jerusalem. By J. Lead.

August the 8th. 1677.

The Reply of that Bright Spirit against whom the Charge was.

O Satan, thy Nature is to vilifie, and to strike with thy Scorpion Tail against my Head-soveraignty, pouring out Floods of Contempt; which do rebound back to thy self. Now to answer thee in all particulars of thy Charge.

First, As to thy assuming the Figure of that Vile Body, which is compacted all of putrefaction: for this thou dost up∣braid me, that I do it not transform. Now though I stand not liable to give any account to thee of my Will and Plea∣sure herein; yet for the sakes of them, who have been hereinto inquiring in fear

and humility, and have heard this thy severe Charge, I shall Answer. It is then Objected, As to that ignominious form of Corporeity, which the Fellow-heirs with me do bear: upon which a trans∣mutation hath been expected, that yet no such thing doth appear, but they do still expire in all things like others.

Answer. There is good cause, why it hath been so hitherto; because the Fire-spark of the Deity hath not burnt through in any, for the consumption of the dr••ssy part: meeting still with cold muddy damps, that have often choaked the Life-flame; which is cast in from thy ingendring pro∣perty. Who, since Eves day, art upon the revenge to slay, and destroy that which remains of the Heavenly Matter. Thou hast had thy inrode, as a subtile Spirit, for to prove and tempt all of her Race; propounding this as an impossibi∣lity, ever to see corruptibility made sub∣lime. Thou hast by thy craft thus raced out that grain of Faith, that should pro∣duce this White Lilly Body. For my way of redeeming proceeds from with∣in the Heart-center: Thereo••t my Birth-Life springs, and will ever display it self through Soul and Body in fiery streams.

It is a deceit to believe, that I am come to redeem any other way. I shed my Blood to purifie and cleanse the inward ground; that so the godly Plant of Righ∣teousness might grow thereout, whose clothing is of unchangeable Glory. For my own Life wrought it self thus through: while I was found in the earth∣ly mould, the invisible Perfect thing could put transparency upon the elemen∣tary Body. So no other way can I bring any to my own transfiguration, but by the same inkindling, and by the Spi∣rit springing up gradually. All of this kind will be understood, when the Wheel of the Will stands free, and un∣clogged of all the Serpents suggested in∣credulity tending hereunto. Who would have the Heart-purifying work evaded, and us to look for Redemption to come, as a violent shower to wash away the Vile Body at once; which is contrary to my working method. Whose inter∣nal Operation is to set free that, which is under great labour and strife, to get up to a flower of rich scented Glory. Against which, O Satan, great hath been thy despight.

But now as to the Second Charge, That my Sheep are put to their shifts: and how that I suffer them to be exposed to great necessities, so as to have their mainte∣nance out of the Store-house of thy King∣dom, or else their corporeal Bodies could not be sustained. I Answer, It is true, O Spirit of Subtilty, that mine are ex∣posed to great sufferings and trials; or else how could they be conformable to me their Head? There are also many considerable Reasons, why for the pre∣sent time it should be so. But this Wea∣pon of thy Charge will turn against thy self. As,

First, If they were not to be inclu∣ded with the universality in the effects of that Curse, that came upon all Adam's Line, Thou, O Lucifer, wouldest have had something to have alledged, as to God the Righteous Iudge; that he would be partia•• to a certain number, in securing them from all of this Worlds Calamity. Therefore the Father hath in wisdom permitted it, that thou mayst have no∣thing to accuse the Just One. As in Ioh's Case, thy envy was great, because he was perfect, and upright. And being but in a flourishing state, as to Honour and

Riches, and all fulness from this Creati∣on; What advantage didst thou take thereby? Remember that word, Does Job serve God for naught, is there not a hedge made up of all plenty and good things about him? So then if mine elect ones were not in common with thine, to take their lot, thou wouldst have where∣of to glory in: but now thy mouth must be stopped, in that those, who belong to me are more deeply exercised in all suf∣fering necessities, as daring to hunt after nothing of this Worldly Pomp. Whose Eyes see through all these contemptible things: And as they live in me, they are in-seeing into another manner of Sphere, wherein their Portion is. Yet know, they shall lose nothing by their be∣ing humbled, through manifold distresses, and penury, while they are in Child∣like submission, and have hereby accept∣ed the chastisement, that is due to their lapsed state. All of which kind shall so operate, as to work out their freedom, when I have proved them by all the evil consequences of the Curse; so as that I may say, they have been tried through all Fires. Fo so it doth become mine all for to be, as weighty stones of Gold.

Then was this Discourse maintained in my hearing: my Lord still taking oc∣casion to resolve my doubts, and satisfie my queries. This Word was uttered, But what thinkest thou, O proud Prince of this exterior World, who so many Ages hast by thy Agents lorded it over my Heritage; If that thy time is near upon expiring? In that I shall call thee to an account, who hast abused thy Soveraignty. For all who have been in∣trusted by thee, have been cruel in their Arbitrary Government. So that Injustice, Oppression, Pride, Self-love, and Vain Glory have born the sway to this day. Therefore it is no marvel, that those who are as the Pearl in my Eye, have been in such distresses; and oft-times forced to gather up the scraps, which thy vo∣luptuous Brood do let fall from their rich furnished Tables. This hath been long permitted, but now I am come to tell thee, that thy Lease of Years is near worn out, when thou must give up to me the Kingdoms of this World. Who will seek out such, as shall be after my own Heart; that shall raign over thee, and thy Hierarchy on this very Earth. Know such I have this very day in my Eye.

Who are Meek, Patient, and Lowly, and who have been proved Iob like, suf∣fering the loss of all, that pleasurable has been as to this Worlds esteem. These have stood against all thy malice, and envy, which hath been poured out by Instruments so assumed by thee. These are those to whom the Dominion shall first come, and so by degrees run through, till this World shall be no more thy Re∣gion. For the Kingdoms of this World shall be given to the Saints of the Most High. Then thou and all thy sin-loyal subjects shall be ashamed and confound∣ed; gnashing their Teeth, when they shall see thee put out of all power and authority. And those who have follow∣ed the Lamb faithfully through the King∣dom of Patience and Tribulation, shall be thus rewarded with Crowns each one, as from the annointing Power, consist∣ing in the Holy Ghost. Whose day of Al∣mightiness shall here be to the chosen known.