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.

October the 9th. 1677.

The Interpretation of the Vision upon the first day of October.

As to this Vision, the Interpretation thereof plainly is read in the Book With∣in, which beareth the living Testimony hereunto; signifying those living Acts of Faith, which sometimes have carried our Spirits up to Elijah's Hill. Where not only Batteries are from the potent King of this low Region: but he doth make war with, and by his Agents, as taking notice, we are those, which do separate from his Kingdom. Therefore we may expect nothing less, but a Beleagering throughout; especially when they perceive that we are such, as would

overturn that indeared Life of Sense, that hath been maintained so long in its range in opposition to Faith's S••veraignty. But while here we stand, like Elijah, up∣on Faith's Mount, we can command Invi∣sible Bands, Chariots and Horsemen of Fire, that will come in to help upon Faith's Alarm: and so shall all weapons of War be frustrated. Therefore fear not ye, who are upon Faith's Ground, saith the Al∣mighty. But the word of his Councel, thus spake in me, rather beware of those more close and subtile Enemies that are within your own house, which will eve∣ry moment make war upon those lofty aspirings and ascensions of Faith; they are more dangerous Enemies, who can so swiftly raise indeed up the strong Forts of Reason, and can display all their Faith-destroying Arrows to wound the Heart and Life thereof: Threatning, if ye still hold out, and will not again descend into the gulf of Sense, then ye must be liable to the peril of Famine, Nakedness, Poverty, and all kind of Reproach. If ye will not yield to the Laws of Reasons Kingdom, such Destructions must necessarily befall you. Now then for caution, said the Spirit of Life, cast up the Accounts of

present and future times, and in the clear Eye of Light, thou both backward and forward maist make discovery, that such Arguments as these, have frighted down thousand thousands of Souls, which o∣therwise would have kept Faiths Ground. Therefore at this very day among the professing part of Christianity, such a Faith is only of reputation, as will not expose to loss, shame, and disgrace, but can fall in, and hold correspondency with what is agreeable to the animal Bo∣dy. But hearken ye, who do so much search after this life, consider if you will adventure up to this Hill, what shots, not only from the World below, but what will break in, as Floods, from all dark Centers, to bring you back to live in the warm habour of Sense and Reason. Then this word further arose from the pure motion, saying, Therefore now that ye are diving for this pretious thing, I would that no mistake should be upon your Mind, if you would come to reco∣ver that Life that Adam had: Which was indeed an unmixed Life of Faith, before the relapse did take hold upon him, I say, if ye will fix your Minds to this Life, then stay, and lean your selves

upon this Faith-alsufficiency, and do not think to carry two Lives in one Body, that are contrary to each other. For this Spirit of Faith can only agree with what is willing to bow, and be all friendly with it, as a suitable Ma••e unto it. Canst thou, saith the Spirit of Faith, walk out as Abraham, Isaac, and Elias did with me, they saw nothing before them, as to the visible but Earth and Air, and yet nothing mistrusted, but con∣fided in what was not seen; who there∣fore were abundantly recompensed. Such as these, who have put out the Eye of their Sense, and have thrown away the Crutches of Reason, doth the Spirit of Faith seek to walk with, that so they may live upon Hony out of the Rock.