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.

April the 10th. 1677.

As I was in my Bed, contemplating the unknown and invisible Orb of Glory, longing for a Body, with which I might have entrance thereinto: While I was thus deeply mufing, there first appeared to me a bright Cloud, which gather∣ed it self into a round Compass; then it opened into various Colours, wonder∣ful Splendorous with numerous Stars: which were only discernible, as they did not so visibly appear, because the brightness did overcloud them. In the midst of this, did suddainly break forth somewhat like the Figure of an Eye, which did look terrible, piercing through all, with flaming Streams round it, which were transcendently glorious. Upon which I could not stedfastly look, till I had closed my mortal Eyes: which then for some space of time, I did behold, and then it vanished in the twink of an Eye; then opening to see whether I could bear the glory of it, it did re∣tire out of sight with this Word, What Flesh can live in this refining Element?

Then answered my Spirit, True, O Lord: therefore the destruction of it I would see, that I may come to live with thee in these New Heavens. Why dearest Lord, is this Crystalline Orb of Light, let down only for view? If we may not partake something of the Nature of it? How is it that we have been so long lodged out of the sight of thee in this remote Principle? if it must still be, how can this vile Ter∣restial state be grateful to Spirits, who did pre-exist in thee before all Worlds; coming now to understand what is their true Eternal Dignity; to live in such lu∣cified Bodies, free and unclogged of Corporeity? After I had thus pre∣sented our deplorable Condition, through the sight and sence of what was in the Idea of my Spirit, I could not but move this Question to my Sovereign Creator, Why such a pure Spirit generated out of the highest and super excellent Mat∣ter, should unite with such course, mean, Corporal Forms, acted by a mortal, sensual, rational Soul, that governed it by the Star∣ry Region? To this deep Question, the Spirit gave this Aaswer readily, That the Immense Deity did hereby prepare high and worthy Ends, in sowing pure Spirit

into corruptible Flesh. As first for its Probation, it cometh into such Bodies to exercise, and to put forth its Superi∣our Might, for Mortifying, and to cor∣rect and check all the natural Propensity; which the mortal Spirit would tempt that which is Eternal, to joyn with it in. The which not yielding to, but maintain∣ing its own Superiority, in curbing and suppressing all of the earthly part, God is hereby greatly pleased, and highly ho∣noured. Therefore think not much, that for the present there is such incongruous∣ness betwixt that which is Intellectual, and that which is Terrestial. That which is E∣ternal, may command and subdue all what ever is Temporary. Therefore be not ig∣norant of your own Spirits Soveraignty, but call up its true Authority, for the Spiritualizing of what would be clouded with Sensuality. For if you yield here∣unto, and are overcome, then your Ta∣lent lies as dead and buried. And what account can any such give to their Lord, when he comes, who are thus slothful. Therefore that Parable (consider of it) about the Talents improving, had a very deep meaning: if you should not be faithful in the first stock of Life and

Spirit, you must not expect that more high and full Trust, and latter Crop, both Ghostly Spirit & Body Celestial, will be given. Therefore be patient, hold out, and do the prese••t work of the day, and know your Reward is not far from you. Then was the Vision of the Holy Element to me opened, as thus, The bright Airy Cloud, which gather∣ed it self into a round compass, and was mixed with flame Colours so subtle and pure; this was said to be the Mat∣ter of all Celestial Bodies: and those in∣numerable Stars, which were veiled un∣der the bright Cloud, were naked Spi∣rits, that did ascend out of Bodies ter∣restial, into this pure Element, and put on Figurative Bodies bright and Aethe∣ral, corresponding to the Nature of the Star-like sparkling Spirits, who did ap∣pear to be fixed in this pure Element. Then further, as to that Majestical Eye, which did appear so terribly piercing, it was shewn me, nay, the Spirit did plainly in a still Voice eccho in me, that from this pure Eye all distinct Sparks of Life did proceed, and did fly into mor∣tal Bodies, according to the hour of Life, and did come piercing into the

fleshly Womb, there to unite with a corporeal Spirit, which is naturally in∣troduced from Adam's lapsed day. Then was a Secret whispered into that Ear, which open stood to hear, what the Spirit dictated so uear, saying, Hast thou not read that one Star differeth from another in Glory, and one Angel is more mighty and powerful, and greatly dig∣nified then others, yet all of and from that pure Eye extracted. Even so fur∣ther learn, and receive this, That in the productions of Spirits, there is great difference, some greater, and more deep∣ly comprehensive, and intelligent, and strong to encounter with the averse matter, to which they are united. For know, this prerogative of Will, which with God, the Fountain of all Spirits is to be left free, is not here to be called to an account by his Creatures. Who gives Spirits successively to Bodies, ac∣cording for what he hath for them more eminent and extraordinary work to act and do, in the lower Region of this World. Therefore God hath left himself this Liberty to give to one five Talents, and to another but two, or one. But if to that one, any shall be

faithful to improve it, while he lives in this Body, doubt not but it is of very dear acceptation with their Lord, to enter into his Joy, though somewhat different accor∣ding to the Spirits degree. Thus Abraham and Lot were both from a pure righte∣ous Seed, yet Abraham's Spirit of Truth did much excell. And so ye may recol∣lect innumerable Instances throughout all Ages, as Enoch, Moses, Ioshuah, Elias, who had answerably great Service to do for their God, though so unsuitably matched by Bodies; yet such was the greatness of their Spirits, as they made their very terrestial Man to keep pace with their Spirits. Nay, such is the power and ability of an Eternal Spirit, through piercing into its original center, that it may attract and cloath it self with the inward Virgin Body; which is the Matter of that pure Element, which thou didst see; and so for Times and Seasons, the gross Nature sublimated and over∣powered, may be as oft of this kind, as was formerly; according to the might and potency of the Spirit existing in Bo∣dies. As this was shewn in your Lord Je∣sus both before and after his Resurrecti∣on. Now what doth this Vision pre∣dict,

but the cloathing of some great Saints with this pure Element. Who do often withdraw from the Corporeal Sense. Oh who can tell, What is here to be enjoyed, but such as do slide away from this vile earthly Climate? The Seven-Star Planets will be given into their Hands, the Influences of which are all of pure Ghostly Inspiration, to out-set and overthrow the earthly gross Element, which so long hath prevented the Heavenly Community. Now then dive into your own Celestiality, and see with what manner of Spirits ye are en∣dued: for in them the Powers do en∣tirely lie for Transformation.

From the fore-going Revelation, it was fully cleared unto me, for what cause pure Spirits, which did proceed from the holy Being, came to exist in mortal Vehicles. It was not for any Sin or Trans∣gression, which they acted or did in the times of their pre-existency in any Ethe∣ral Region, as some do believe, being bare abstracted Spirits, without any Fi∣gurative Bodies. Only Adam and Eve may be considered as the whole Uni∣verse, and all included in them, as the representative Heads of all successive Ge∣nerations,

who were mortalized after their similitude. For which cause, Sin, and Curse, and Death enter'd, but none for Adam's Transgressions shall be con∣demned: for shall not the Judge of all the Earth do and pass righteous Judg∣ment? Shall any suffer for what they could no way avoid? God forbid, as in Sin all Men and Women were conceived and born, so likewise in a Seed of Truth and Righteousness, which is invisibly in∣troduced for to destroy and overpower the Serpently Seed, both growing up to∣gether, which of them doth obtain the mastership, doth remain in each ones Principle. The most wise God having laid in a sufficiency of Spirit, who in the days of Noah, said, My Spirit in them was tired out, striving still with them, so God will clear and acquit himself of all, that of this Nature can be charged upon him. Then further it was opened unto me from that Scripture, That as Sin hath abounded, Grace shall much more abound. This Grace was revealed in the Gift or Infusion of the Spirit of Christ, as the promised Seed of restoring Life unto Adam and Eve, upon their very dege∣neration, that they might not be as with∣out God, in that corporeal Image,

which they now were changed into. If the Eternal Word, which was from the beginning, had not been their Light and Life, and so likewise generative to their future Posterity, they had been in the same condemnation with the fallen An∣gels, but the Eternal Word did even then incarnate himself for their help and recovery, and to save them from sinking into that horrible Lake, which the Ser∣pent had prepared for them. Thus did the Eternal Love immediately move to∣wards them, to free them out of the Dragon's Power, whose design was to make them of their own Hierarchy, in their Princely power of Darkness, out from which the Lamb of God did re∣deem them. Who from the Foundation of the World was the Salvation of God, so still going on to the Ends of the Earth. But while this new thing sprang in my understanding, which seemed to differ from what I had formerly received as Truth, I besought the Lord my Tea∣cher, to answer this Objection that was raised thereupon. That if so immedi∣ately upon Adam's Fall, the Eternal Word (who is the new Birth-Seed) did incorporate with Eve, whereby power

and ability were given to bring forth wholly after the Spirit; how was it then that she should and did bring forth after the fleshly Image, as ap∣peared by the first Man, which she brought forth in the wrathful Property first awakened. In Answer to this, I found Light at hand to resolve me, As thus, it did not seem good to the Wise Creator to obliterate, and so presently to wipe off the Stain, with which they by the act of Disobedience had blemished themselves. Some marks of Displeasure the most Holy did still include them un∣der as a Terrestial Body, and to bring forth in Travel and Sorrow, what should have been by Magical Power, and Joy, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Celestial Angelical Forms: but now as the effects of disregarding the Command of God, they brought forth a mean and de∣spicable Image, according to their own Likeness. But then I further queried, but this Corporeity might have been Sinless, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Original Righteousness was also infused, by the immortal Spark of Life entring in, to incorporate with the outward Elemen∣tary Birth. That Spirit which had so pure an Existency, and was in free Liberty, should come into a necessitated thraldom as in Cain was manifested. As to this I

also obtained Satisfaction, that Cain had the Eternal Light of Life with him, that did fore-warn him, and convince him of the end and danger of Sin, and that he was under Probation, and that the Serpent had liberty still to ••••••mpt a new sutably to the Condition he w••s fallen into. Who had an absolute Liberty of Will and Suf∣ficiency of Power to stand his Ground, as God said to him by way of Reproof, If thou dost well, shalt not thou be accept∣ed; but if not Sin lieth at thy own Door. Which plainly doth declare, that Cain should not have yielded himself Sins Captive. So that in all Temptations, you may know whither to fly, even to that eternal Word within you: who is migh∣ty to Save, who Is and Was from the Be∣ginning, the First, and the Last, Visible and Invisible, Deity in Humanity, and De∣ity out of Humanity; all making and ten∣ding to the fullfilling and Manifestation of the Mystery which hath been hid in the Trinity. Which Arcanum will be daily revealing in this latter Age. Then arose a further Query to be answered, If Christ as a Seed of Life was infused into every individual Birth throughout the Line of Terrestial Propagation, whereby

a Sufficiency was found to bear down and overcome, what the Serpent had intro∣duced of this Venome and Sting of Sin add Death: What further need was there of Christ to assume a Body and to be pro∣claimed in the World as a Personal Savi∣our by and through the offering up him∣self a Propitiatory Sacrifice for Sin; If it could have been expiated by the Pro∣duction of Internal Light and Life, thus ori∣ginally Springing according to that Scrip∣ture, Christ the Light of every one that cometh into the World? As this is a weighty and considerable Question, so re∣solved it shall be from That, which seeth into the first Ground, of what cometh to be manifested in time. Now then for these Reasons it was expedient for him, who was nominated the Second Person in the Trinity to be exhibited in a corporal Form upon this Account.

First, To declare the possibility of bringing in and acting forth an everlast∣ing Righteousness in ••rail humane Na∣ture, which every way was beset and assaulted with Temptations from all dark Powers; which from their evil Cen∣ter did conspire to overturn Truth and Fidelity in this Immaculate Lamb; for

had the Dragon prevailed upon him here, Mount Sion and the Heavenly Ierusalem should never have been revealed.

Secondly, Then again for this Cause, Christ was to be manifested in Flesh in God-like Power, as very needful to be∣come that great High-Priest, to attone and make expiation for the Sins and De∣fectiveness under the first Covenant, which was given in Paradise; all since having sinned after the similitude of A∣dam's Transgression. The holy Seed in them being weak, through the Body which is included, and falling under the gross Element: which hath and doth in some much more then others, choak and smother the Life, and doth greatly cloud and darken universally this pure Light whereby the good part doth rarely get the Victory in any, till they attain to a good degree of Illumination and Purifi∣cation. For, this Spring of Light doth get through but by degrees: for tho in it self its of great Potency, yet need enough there is, for Sins committed in the times of Ignorance and Minority; before the Spirit comes, to make the Soul under∣stand it self, from whence it is relapsed: I say, for the Remission of these Sins past

through the forbearance of God, not less then such a Sacrifice was your Jesus for you to become.

In the Third Place, Then as Christ ful∣filled all Righteousness in his Humanity, for an Example to his fellow Breathren, so they might come to the unity of the same perfect Life, by the same per∣fect Spirit, which was in him through the dying Life. For thereby your Lord Jesus obtained a super-additional force and power of Spirit to give, and shed abroad into you, for the working out a full Liberty and Salvation. For seeing his pure Life-Seed was under oppression, he also came into a Body of Flesh, to re∣lieve and free it from the Bondage of Sin and Evil, and also the very Mortality antecedent thereunto; according as it is written, delivering them, who through fear of Death, were all their Life-time subject to bondage: Which no way could be effected, but by Death de∣stroying Death. First in the humane Figure of your Lord Jesus, who here∣by shewed you the way to do mystically, that so thereby you might escape the Second Death, through the Resurrecti∣on,

which is said to quicken Mortal Bodies.

Fourth Place, Now then further con∣sider, that th••s was the very great and primary end of Christ coming into a Body of Flesh to transfigure, and to shew the way of Immortalizing of it, as he did his own after his Resurrection, when he ascended into the Kingdom of his Father. Then this was also noted to me from hence that had not Christ come down into a Body, the highest Saint could have attain∣ed no higher State than Paradice: though endued with all the internal Excellency from the Word of Life, as a Seed incorpo∣rating with it. For their highest dimensi∣ons was Adam's Paradise, beyond which Region neither Patriarchs nor prophets did arrive before Christ's appearing in the World. Therefore you see Christ imbo∣dying himself in a Terrestial Form brought forth many considerable Advantages, if they may now be considered of by the wise hearted, so as to wait and expect the fruits of that additional Spirit, that is some degrees higher, than any Seraphick Flame of Light. Believe it, and know it, that this Breath of Fire breathed and

sucked in, will melt away all your gross Metalline Corporeity.