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.

December the 6th. 1677.

As we were in the Spirit of Supplica∣tion attending together, a transient view of full ripe Sheaves was presented, as a testification, that we should bring of the first ripe Fruits, as a pure Offering to the Lord, according to what hath in the days of our sorrow, heaviness, and tempta∣tion been purely sown in the Spirit. But it was also shewn me, that this should not be accomplished, till we had fulfilled our set-time in the Wilderness. For this is an Ordinance that was given by God to Moses while Israel was yet in the Wilderness, be∣fore they came into the good Land. This instruction was for time to come, saying•• Now behold the first Fruits of the Land, which thou hast reaped, thou shalt offer unto the Lord thy God. So according∣ly

the first ripe Fruits of the Spirit must be wholly dedicated and brought into the Store-house of the Lord; rejoycing and making everlasting melody in the Courts of Holiness, as the Joy of Harvest. Oh! this is the desirable day, but who hath it seen? because they have all dyed short, before entring into the good and fruitful Land, one Generation passing away after another, as we have seen it. But it is decreed eternally thus to be? No, as∣suredly no: there is a Generation to come, that shall not only sow, but reap, and pay their Tythe-Offerings to the great Melchizedeck King. There is a Caleb and Ioshua, who will out-live all the spirits of Unbelief. Who have been faithful Spies to search, and find out the virtue and glory of Mount Sion's Land. Whereupon the Spirit did the History take up, and did it mysterious∣ly, to our state at present very closely apply. As thus, that Ioshua and Caleb signified the Unity of the Spirit concur∣ring in a strong Faith, the Spirits of our Minds agreeing mutually with the Spirit of Jesus, and so both do agree to pass and see the goodly Spaces of Eternity, whe∣ther all things be so, as hath been report∣ed

of, concerning the matters of Christ's Kingdom. To which we are annexed Heirs, and therefore concerned to take our flight thither, to view all within the New Canaan. For our Lord did know, that a sight before hand of this Inheri∣tance would greatly satisfie. As it was with the Queen of Sheba, who gratified both her Eye and Ear, in the state of Solomon's Kingdom. Now then may not we in the Spirit of Faith, and rising pow∣er of Christ's Spirit, come to have such a pass over Iordan's flowing River? Hereupon it is cleared up to me, that it is most lawful and expedient to take such a heave or flight in the Spirit. For which end, in obedience to the counselling Word, which to me was dropped in; Let us then be, as a goodly Ship, who would launch into the Ocean deep, and would swim upon the broad Waters, all tackled and trimmed, and pitched within; that no place may be found for bleaking, and our pure and white Sails stretched out, all in a readiness, lying at the very Ha∣ven upon the Anchor of Hope; waiting to see when the Gusts and Breath of the Holy Ghost will turn our Ship about, and blow all South, that we may suddainly

be cast upon the Rock of Pearls and Pre∣cious Stones in that Land Beulah, that is so little known. But who now must be hither our sure Pilate, but he that hath already there been, even that bright Star that can steer through Fire, Water, and Air, having himself broke through all these, and so will do no less for us, if we shall be found in such a ready posture, as here hath been described. Now let us give all place to this Ioshua-Spirit in our Bark, who will make a remove for us out of the Wilderness. He doth but wait for the mighty Birth to be here brought forth, that so we may pass away jointly and al∣together. It was further also denoted to me, that all the murmuring and un∣believing Spirits should be wasted away in the Wilderness, who have murmured through fear and distrust: For these can have no share with us, whether they be with, or without us: all are excluded; none but Ioshua and Caleb will enter in with us to view, and will have possession with us in the Land Beulah.