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.

November the 22d. 1677.

As soon as I came out of Sleep, after the Nights rest. This word met me, Oh that I might awake, with thy Image perfectly: then should I behold thy Face, and not be reproached, because of an ignominious Body. Whereupon I con∣sidered the weightiness of the Word, and it was opened unto me, that it related

to a Resurrection stare after a Death-sleep in the Grave, of the Body of Sin, out from which the Spirit awakeneth in∣to the God-likeness. Upon which there was presented unto me, a clear Crystal in the figure of a Heart, which hung by a Pipe, through which a stream like Blood passed into the Heart: which was said to be the pure Life-Seed, that conveyeth it self from the Fountain-Heart of the Godhead. As it is the Pro∣duction of a Birth answerable to the very Heart of God, which would be the true and original matter of a divine Na∣ture: In which only the Life of God should move, as it did in the Person of our Lord Jesus. Whose Heart was fed from the Heart of his Father, and so ours from his, when so purely generated as his, from the Seed, or Incorporating Power, of the Deity. For it was made evident to me, that the New Birth-heart conceived in us, must be from the Root of the same holy and unmixed matter, and answerably: in order to a full redeeming from the old polluted Heart, out from which are the Issues of Death, which is said to be the heart of Stone. Now it was shewed me, that Fallen

Man did carry about him three Hearts. As first, the Heart of a Beast, as it may be said of Nebuchadnezzar, he had a Beastial Heart. 2dly, The Heart of a Man, which comes up to Sensibility and to Rationality. 3dly, A Heart in which, as to the outward Birth, remains some∣what of an Eternal Essence, as a Spark of Light, which Adam had in Paradise: and this we call Man's Eternal Heart. And this in the highest Improvement, is in much Imperfection and Instability: sometimes in a raised Life towards God, then sink∣ing down as a Stone again into the Earth, according to the outward Constellations, that do mutually concur in the good and evil. The effects whereof, we have sen∣sibly felt, by an inward strife and war, through the divided property of the Soul, which moveth sometimes from the Hea∣venly Center towards its primitive Being before the Fall. So as in this contest, without conquest over the earthly part, Millions of Souls have past away out of the Body. And fearing least it should be so with us, another Heart is shewn unto us. For none of these can bring us near unto God. And therefore remove, and give them up, and pray vehemently that we may see this old sto••ey Heart fail

within us, and then such a new Heart, to which is annexed a pure burning stream, which becomes a quickning Spirit. Which will make essentially the great alteration, so as we shall find our selves new-born perfect Creatures. For it is of that high deified Composition of Pu∣rity, as it forceth all polluted matter of contrariety from it to fly. It is such a pure thing, as it will be contracted into it self, and live alone in an absolute do∣minion. There is no allowance given for any of those forementioned Hearts with it to commix, no more then Clay or Iron with Gold. The Spirit of this Heart is most subtle, penetrating, bubling, and still flying upward above all low things. As its Birth is from the Heart of the Deity, so there again it will live. Truly, at the consideration, that there is such a Heart to be given, my Spirit is in an astonishment. Therefore I call all ye Throne-Angels and Seraphims, to be with me in wonderment, that such a Heart shall come in any one to be fixed substantially. For what less will this come to, but the making good of that saying of the Lycaonians, who said to Paul•• The God's are come down in the likeness of Men. For as the Heart is,

so is the Man, a Godlike Heart overturns the whole Course of Nature, and changes all into another Scheme, answerable to the first moving Cause: Which sends forth Life and heat into all parts, as natu∣rally, so spiritually, for the existency of the divine Nature. And further it was given me to know, that it was a renew∣ed act Creation: A drop let fallen from the Heart-blood of God, for Life in∣kindling into such in whom the Virgin Crystal Mold is formed, that here for hath been making way in preparation through many Washings and Cleansings, and Heart-relinquishings. For this Word came closely unto me from the Lord, and home to me: Suffer and endure ye must who are looking for the gift of this New heart, Such a breaking up of the Old, as a dying man when his heart-strings are loosening. This is the true my∣stical Death: this is to be a dead man in∣deed; which many have sought, but could never find. Because they did not strike at the heart-root: for so long as there is life remaining, it will Send forth it sin-reviving Effect••. For what if thou shouldest cut off this & that mem∣ber, yet life may be at heart still; and

then what avails hewings and hackings, and suppressing; the root of the evil life being still there? The work is ne∣ver done, because the life of sin is still sending forth one bitter ••ume or other: to pain, and afflict, what would be at ease and rest. Now what remedy can for this be considered, said the Holy One, but the plucking up, and breaking the very heart-strings, that its Life may be a Sa∣crifice to divine Justice? for so it must be both a passive and an active Offering, for the Sin that hath been commited in the body of the flesh. Which mystery hath not been understood: but know it for an everlasting Truth. Let not the Sen∣tence of this Death be grevious, because it will certainly usher in some what, that will be Equivalent to the deep springing heart of the Deity; whereout issues of Life, Love, Joy, and Peace will flow. They thou shalt know no more strife, sor∣row, or pain; because the root of all this is by death taken away. Therefore Repent not that ye are entring into the very way: Fear not to fail the old heart melting, for when that faileth, another heart and Spirit will be given. Which is of that strength, courage, and perfecti∣on,

as that ye shall be spirited for the great and primary business, and for the work of trust for God and the Lamb. So all may see what the effect of this New Heart will visibly produce in you.