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.

February the 21st. 1676/7.

I saw a Vision thus presented to me; I did see a green Cloath-Covering, which was sown over a White Sheet, which was let down, and I was bid to unrip it, which after a metaphorical manner was done, I know not how. And under it there were Creeping Creatures, that were of a devouring Quality; then under the Linnen there appeared a Lamb pure and white, with sparkling Eyes as Flames of Fire. Which thing considering, it was thus opened unto me, This was the Face of the Covering, that the Word of Command came forth to have unripped, and taken off. By which the very in∣ward ground might be discovered, where the fatned Beasts did lurk under, who by the Covering were bounded. But now the shame of their Nakedness did appear, so as they crept away, and could no longer abide, by reason of the Lamb's sparkling Eye, which caused the Remove

to be made; saying to me, Now give place, who am come to scatter, and de∣stroy all of this evil quality from before my Face. I can no longer bear this Co∣vering upon me, this partition Vail must be rolled away, even that dark Body of Sin, which hath been as a weight up∣on the Lamb of God. Whose Eyes do pierce to find out every thing that hath made a breach, that so the Heart of God should not be concealed from you: into which you could never see so long as this thick dark Covering remained, whereby hid hath been the very Origi∣nal matter, that hath brought in all the Woe and Sorrow. For which purpose by way of this Similitude, you may come hereby to understand the force of that great Love, that moveth to lay all na∣ked and bare, that so through the medi∣um of that light Eye, which did lie un∣der covert for a time, ye might see the Image of that Sin-breeding Beast, that could multiply into such encrease under the green Covering. Whose Seat and breeding-place shall make discovery to the most innermost Ground unto thee, that so thou mayst be at rest, from the source of Sin's working property.

Let us in the first place now make en∣quiry into the Originality of this Mon∣ster, how he came to have a Being. For in the beginning of the Paradisical Crea∣tion, all was created by God, comely, good, and perfect: how came then this strange Essence to be brought in, to dispoil and alter the whole Heavenly Course of things in this Paradisical Creation? Now know, that before this, there was a Creation of Angelical Hosts, as an im∣mediate product from the everlasting Being. Who delighted to generate Thrones, Mights, and Powers, that so God through distinct Existencies of Ce∣lestial Spirits, of that high Angelical Order, might come to manifest his At∣tributes, which before lay void and hid in an Eternal Stillness. So as here was the Angelical World in pre-existency before the Paradisical. The Superiour Heavens were furn••shed in the first Place with Dignities suited for God's own peculiar Habitation. Of which Num∣ber, there was a Spirit of high Eleva∣tion, that did awaken in some of them, who were Principalities in this Kingdom, to exalt themselves equal, or above the Lord their Maker. For which cause, 〈1 page duplicate〉〈1 page duplicate〉

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being cast out from the most meek and holy Presence, they consulted how to spoil and infect, having great Envy against God's new Creation, and forma∣tion of Man in, and after the express Image of himself. This blew up their Coals of Jealousie, and fiery Indignation, which as deadly Arrows were soon sent forth; namely, so soon as Adam came to have an existency. He must be tried by this subtle Serpent. And the first onset was, whether they could by their Magical Art cast him into a deadly Sleep; that so thereby his Impotency might be mani∣fested, stupifying his seven high gradu∣ated Faculties. Who hereby before he was aware did loose his Virgin genera∣ting strength: and whereas it was said, That God cast him into that Sleep, the meaning is, God suffered it, and per∣mitted the probation to come upon him, to see whether he could stand this first Insinuation, which was by some secret Poyson, that he had drunk in, from the fallen Spirits, who had somewhat al∣ready of their evil Seed cast in. In that God said, Seeing Man is already fallen from that primary force and strength, that he cannot bring forth from that Vir∣gin

Female property, Now it will not be good for him to be alone: he shall have a Companion answerable to his present state, which is already lower by many degrees, then when the pure im∣mortal Breath did enter in. But had Adam with his Eve here staid, and had not been brought in a further Premunire, Mankind had not seen the Sin fatal Death of Mortality. But the Serpent seeing his Invisible Sorcery had taken so good ••ffect, he now is more bold to adventure upon the second Tryal, suiting his Temp∣tation more subtlely, telling them they should be as Gods. Which was an indu∣cing Argument, at which Sugar-Bait they presently nibled, and did eat of it, and in that very moment were turned in∣to that mortal Beastly shape, the Figure whereof you do to this Day wear. But well had it been, if this had been all the injury; but oh the Serpently Seed was cast in there, who at once sent in that Poyson, that hath had its death opera∣tion ever since. Thus you see the Ori∣ginality, from whence ye have derived your Earthly Life of Mortality, which is so inherent, that as a boiling Source it is maintained from this strange intro∣duced

Fire; so as though you are in con∣tinual Labour, to scum off the Filth there∣of, yet it still renews again. So while the root of this corrupt Matter remains, your toil, fear, and care will have no end. Now what is it think ye, must enter in so deep, as to suck out the Serpent's deadly Sting, that hath made all this disorder in Nature? Many Medicines have been ap∣plied, and some have been safe, and un∣doubted of, yet they have not reached the place of Sin's Conception, to destroy both the Serpently Seed, with the first Earthly Eve, which is the Mother of all Living in the Earthly Property. Her Womb is fruitful, still to b••i••g forth Viperous Thoughts, and evil Earthly Motion from a flowing Source through∣out all Generations. Now you will say how and by what means shall this be reme∣died? You cry the Power is not in us: how can that come to be nullified, that is so essentially in us? The Boughs may, while but tender Boughs, be bent; and when strong grown, they may be cropt; but the stock, as a deep grounded Oak, our Arm is too short to reach: We can∣not move it, the very Earth will rend and shake, when ever it shall come to be

displaced. Hear now and consider ye, whose lawful Objection is come before me: it is granted to you, that the ever∣lasting Father through the Mightiness of the Spirit in the Lamb's Nature, must dis∣place for you the Root of this Oak, that is so deeply rooted in the Ground of Nature. But what Tool or Instrument will he take in his Hand, but the Ax of your Wills. Then a through stroak will he strike by the piercing Eye of his Spirit, who seeth the very depth, from whence its Essence doth proceed. For without a discovery made, where the Cause of this defect is, nothing hereof could be made, or for you wrought out. There∣fore the Lamb of God is come, the Vail of Covering to unspread; that so by the sparkling Fire of his Eye, ye might see from the Depths beneath the Birth-Source of Sin, which doth open wide. Also with the same Eye, ye may behold within the heights of Sion, a flowing Ocean of mol∣ten Gold: to this for healing do ye fly. For no other Medicine can heal the S••r∣pent's Sting within you. These are the Golden Floods, which by the Spirit are daily poured forth, to drown the first Birth of Eve; that so an end may be of

that generating Source, and her Womb for ever henceforth may come to be barren in you. To which end, Orders and Decrees are made in Heavenly Places, that Virgin-Wisdom shall take place in her room: and her Seed shall be destructive to the Serpent's, and to all his Hierarchy; and you shall see his Head-Power bruised to purpose, when all Sin in its Originality shall be blotted out by the Hand, and working Source of the Deity. Who will give also to you the Key and Chain of Power, that so in the Name and Authority of the Lamb, ye may take hold on the Dragon, and bind him, and shut up his flowing Source of Evil, and with the Seal of the Living God, to seal him up, that he may find no way to come out of his own Lake, to corrupt or deceive you any more. Then you will begin in all stillness upon the Earth the Reign of Christ within the pure Region of Wisdom's Climate•• For in the Singular Number, it will begin to work forth. The Day therefore is near or far off, according as ye are car∣ried forth in Zeal, Power, and Faith; hereunto giving up your selves totally, to observe the Word of Wisdom: In

which whosoever are found so doing, they shall all be Crowned with this Diadem of Power.