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.

Ianuary the 26th. 1676/7.

This Word came this Morning fresh unto me, saying, Now I have shewn you what Rewards the Death-Conque∣ro••s will have, will you not desire, and most freely obey, as my Servant Moses did to go up, and dye on Mount Nebo. That is, take leave of this Earthly Con∣gregation, and go apart from all, that still would invite you to abide with them. For if you do not withdraw out of their sight, you will never be able voluntarily to dye, while they do see any strength, vigour, or force to be in your natural Ability, as the beloved Moses had. They will be crying, What need is there of such a dying, as no

more to be seen or known by us, after the manner of what hath been; so as without you follow this Example, to go apart, you will hardly dye away quietly, but you will be disturbed to bring your Life back again, so as it will be a lingring dying Death: therefore well consider this impeding thing, and that you might not be alone, in a suffering dy∣ing state, I have provided one, that will be a dying-Mate with you, to support and strengthen each other, till a Dissolution is finished. Then you may totally cast your selves upon your dying Beds, there waiting for the Hour of your Change. The utmost grievousness of it will be, but as a slumbering Trance, that will make you forget this Principle, with all its good or evil Properties, all things will be alike unto you, because gather∣ed unto your own People in the Land of Light, where more transparent things will take up your Minds, and satisfie your Sights. There be certain measures and rules, whereby ye may know, whe∣ther or no your approaching End be near.

First, Consider the Years and Date of your Age: there is a set and appointed

time for Spiritual Death, as well as for the Natural: The bounds thereof are determined, though few, or rarely any, have tasted this Spiritual Death, before their outward Man hath been broken by Natural Death. Yet some known, and some unknown Examples hereof have been, as Enoch, Moses, and Elias, with the Lord of Life, who though he suffered Death, yet rising in that Body again, was with it for a certain time conversant in the Earth, to testifie another Change was to pass thereupon, or else he never could have stood upon the Sea of Glass, without being changed into another Fi∣gure, meet for Mount Sion Light. More also have found this Translation, though happily concealed. But it is enough that you know by what means it may possibly be reached, through the serious disposing of your selves unto this dying state. Making observation by self-Exa∣mination, of those Signs and Marks, that you may certainly conclude, that the time of your departure is at hand.

Secondly, For the Bounds and Time, without all controversie the Body of Sin is old enough to dye•• it is not few, but many and evil have been its days, which

have been spent unprofitably; therefore the Life thereof, is not to be prolonged, but to seek the cutting of it off, as an un∣profitable Member, with all that do per∣tain unto it. As the vile Body which through the corrupt Principle entring in, changed the very Form, into the like deformed Image, which being brought back again unto a Nullification, then the Eternal Life will spring, and set all in order, as to the very outward Ve∣hicle again.

The Third Symptom you are to take notice of is this, how your Life-Pulse beats, weak or strong, that is, whether the Life and Vigour of the Heart be much deaded and spiritless to all, whatever can be named, that hath its Root from this degenerated Principle.

The Fourth Symptom is this, do you feel your Stomach and Appetite fully gone, that yon cannot digest any of the Fruits that is brought forth by the Sweat of the Brow, and Toil of the Hands, all which was the product of the Curse.

A Fifth Symptom is this, nay more, try your selves, that to all which seems to carry a more refined excellency in it, are you able to distinguish it, as garnish∣ed

only with somewhat out of Paradise, but mixed with the wild and sowre Vintage of this World, whether you do feel real disgusts and loathing here∣unto.

The Sixth place, this is another pal∣pable Sign, the Life-Breath is much pent and stopped. The thick Air and unsavoury Fumes of this worldly Re∣gion, have near stifled the very Life-Breath; so as it will be unbearable, find∣ing nothing at all in this whole Universe pleasant unto you, because of this your Spiritual Sickness, which presageth Death to be so near. Can you now but give a real Proof of such languishing Symptoms, then may you hope and be∣lieve, a glorified Translation is hereby working out, where nothing more that is uneasie shall be felt.

Concerning some means to this perfect Death, consider these that follow.