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 19th. 1677.

There appeared to me two Trees, the one in a Field, the other grew under the shadow of a mighty Tree, as in an en∣closed place, with a Wall about it, that was all set for Fruit: the other was all blossomed, but on a sudden a shaking Wind came, and blasted the whole Tree, while I was viewing it. Then it was cried in my hearing, Transplant this Tree, or else never to Perfection will any 〈◊〉〈◊〉 come answerable to that Tree. Let it be fixed under the warm shade of the al∣mighty Tree for fruitfulness. From this presentation I was given to understand somewhat, that answered to that matter of doubt, which was often raised in me, what was the Reason, that such a fair progress should be made of growth, in this Tree richly flowred from the very Life-sap with beauteous appearances. Which in way of similitude answers to the state of a Soul, that hath the Life-root in her; but its plantation being out of the warm shelter, standing bleak, and open to the sharp blasts, on every side

cold storms beating upon it, cuts off the tender Blossom, which would come to substantial Fruit. This was shewn me to be the very cause, why so many holy good Trees of Righteousness, could not reach to the full grown Fruit, but withered off in the very prime of their spring. For by fruitfulness here, I was given to understand something above, and beyond a pure and lively Con∣versation, and a shi••ing forth in those known Ornaments of Love, Joy, Meek∣ness and Patience. These I may call the sweet scented Blossoms; here many one stops, and goes no further on: but sheds them abroad. And then by the mor∣tal Life commixing with the cold sharp Element of this visible Region, are they generally cut off, before any such high de∣gree of all-fruitful Power is got up unto. As was expressed in former Ages, when their Fruit was apparent from the root of God's Almightiness. Our Lord means this fruitful Birth of Power, when he telleth them of the absolute necessity of their abiding in him, as the Branch upon a Tree. As much as if he had said, ye can do no mighty works, till you come to be brought under me, as that out-spreading

Tree of Life. If so, as he told his Disciples, ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, then ask what ye will, and it shall be done. From hence it may be truly inferred, that the eminent fruitfulness, which God the Father may come to be glorified in, consists in a large and full ability to do and act such things, as Christ himself did in his assumed humanity, who was a Tree of all kind of Fruitfulness. Now by this Vision, it was also thus given me to know, that the Tree, which did stand in the wild field of Nature with a Fence, did well signifie the true Life-off-spring of the Most Holy, who might proceed to such a degree. But while walking in the open bare Principle of this World, where storms of all kind of Temptations would set on it, it is altogether improbable that any such could come to any ripe powerful fruit∣fulness. Therefore the Voice did cry from the upper Spheres in Loves Com∣passion, for a Transplantation to be made; that so the designed fruitful Plants might come for to be shaded under the great and mighty Leb••non-Tree. O, what less will this be, but a very Translation

from one Principle to another, where Life of another kind will most natural∣ly ••low: not a weak, deficient, barren, fruitless Life; but a strong, invincible, all-powerful Heart of Righteousness in the Faith-opreation of the mighty God. Who to this Tree shall make all Shrubs, and even Cedar Trees of the outward Principle to bow: when as your Bran∣ches shall sprout out with such Christ-like fruitfulness. Suffer ye gladly then the gentle pluck, even by that good hand, though ye are hereby severed from the very Root of this Earth. Because ye well see, that the Destroyer and Des∣poiler of all your desired fruitfulness, lurks at the bottom of that ground, as a subtle Serpent, making new offers of Temptations to beguile you. Therefore the Holy Watcher cries still, fly away from his Inchanted Tree.