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.

September the 10th. 1677.

THIS Day I was calling my self to an account; being sensible of that usual Springing Light, that was something shaded, and Revelations restrained for the space of a Week: occasioned by disper∣sing thoughts, and letting in, and busy∣ing my Mind upon inferiour things of this Worlds concern. Whereby I was made suspicious of a greater loss sustaining, than any thing of this World could repay me. And although there was nothing, which I did engage in, but what might seem very just and reasonable to the Eye of all Creatures; yet that could not be my justification. Because we were under an unknown Nazarite Law, that was in spe∣cial given: and therefore accordingly we are bound to obey it, who are concern∣ed herein. Hereupon I descended down into the deep Region of the Spirit, where I did attend to hear, what would be answered. Which was again through Grace renewed: For thus, I did the in∣speaking word hear; Did not I by my Spirit oft declare, that it would be hard

for any one to keep my charge, who had not first cleared all scores of this Worlds Accounts; that so ye might have nothing to do, but to attend fully your Lord's busi∣ness, who hath called you for such a Principal End, out from all this Creation Service. Henceforth then cease to be the Servants of Men: for since the day of your free assignment of your selves, His you are, to whom you did your selves bequeath. Upon this word I found a great conflict in my self, having a great desire to depart, and to throw off every weight, that would tie, and engage my Mind. For I did well see an absolute ne∣cessity to be alone the Lord's servant: and to give my self up in constancy to that new revealed Ministery; though I should here∣by incur all Creatures enmity. For my Lord by a secret voice doth follow me close; so that from Loves Charms, I can hardly get loose. Yea he drives upon us so hard, as plainly we might see the Holy Ones design is to make a breach betwixt this World and us; as foreseeing that none till then can aptly be for his use and service. And verily this is the Cup that is given us to drink of, and to leave nothing thereof behind. It was, what

our Lord proposed to the two Sons of Zebedee, who were ambitious to be equal in the Kingdom with him: Who told them, They did not consider what they did ask. For if they did come to un∣derstand, what a Death-cup they must first drink of, they would not have climbed so high in their desires. There∣fore he dealeth plainly with them, and shews them both the necessity, and possi∣bility thereof; but gives the disposal of those Throne-instatements to his Father only. It was also at this time spoken in me, that we had begun to drink of this Cup, wherein the deadly draught was, which would crucifie us to this world; but as yet we had but drunk the Upper part of it: the Portion being so bitter, we indeed could never get it down at once. Upon which the Spirit giveth this advice, Not to let one day pass without imposing upon our selves a draught out hence to take; till all be exhausted, and drunk out. For the Cup is very deep: and at the bottom thereof doth lie, that which will us from this Principle absolutely unty. Therefore let us not herefrom cease to drink each one, to whom this Cup is given, and no

time let us lose; for through continual sipping we shall see it lessen, and so by degrees the effects thereof, upon that which is to die, will be felt. O who will be so valiant and worthy in this Age, as to hold out to the very last as the bottom of this Cup to see? Then was it said to me, There was at hand imme∣diately for such another Cup, wherein was the everlasting Water of Life. The operation of which is not expedient yet for to be uttered; till some have of the first Cup drunk all. O, Lord Jesu, be thou to us, what thou wert, when thou didst take the last part of this Cup.