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 28th. 1677.

This Morning awaking about three of the Clock, my Spirit after some di∣vine ejaculations, was inkindled through the Love-melting Powers of the Spirit of my Lord Jesus: which did pass as a burning Lamp through all my Intellectu∣als, finding there matter to feed upon, an∣swerable to its own light property, whereby refreshing was found. After this I slept till five a Clock, or some∣what more, as by me surmised. Then I was awakened with the beholding one in the figure of a man, in a blue clear firmament, enclosed as in an oval frame, Rainbow-like: his Countenance was grave and majestical, facing me with great majesty. Upon the sight of whom, I did feel within me a mighty rapture of joy. So I making to get nearer to this Person, thus plainly portraied, then he did further withdraw; for such was the ••ervour of my Spirit, that I would have proceeded into the very Circle, where he was. Who seemed to be in the very fashion of a man from the Loyns up∣ward,

but I saw no Legs or Feet; but he fixed his Light Countenance still on me, which was no way terrible, but all reviving. Now I was expecting some∣what to be spoken from him, but the voice was uttered within me, saying thus, This is the Sign of your Lord from Heaven, that Jesus whom you have de∣sired to see. Upon which words, I at∣tempted again to break through to him, upon which this Representation did pass away, that I could no longer gratifie my spiritual Eye, with this blessed Persona∣lity. After whose departure I was left sad, for I would willingly have left my corporeal form to have entred into that Oval Cloud, where I might have joined the Hand of my Spirit with his. But then it was again further revealed to me, that if this sight was so pleasing and grateful, what would the coming in of the Fathers glory be, which would be much more, then what I now did see. Then this word spake in me, go on to believe, and ye, who look for me, shall yet further see greater things then all this.

Some days after this Vision, it was fur∣ther manifested to me, that this visible

Figure of my Lord Jesus did signifie the formation of himself in our corporeity, which would be much more advantagi∣ous, then in beholding him in a distinct Personality as without us, till we can come to say, as he is, so are we. Till which there can be no fixed view, for a constant retaining of his now glorified. Person in our Eye. Now it was given me to understand, that the Reason I could not be admitted, to enter into that Oval Light where he was present∣ed; was because, said the Spirit, thou art not come to the same perfect state and degree in which you did him see; wanting yet, your more high, clear and elementary Body; so that ye could not possibly make your pass unto him. But only hereby, your Jesus knoweth, that these transient sights would have a pure magical power upon you, for the beget∣ting of the same likeness within you, that was shewn outward. For it was re∣vealed to me, that all representations that did not work to this effect, would be little available, as to the fruition of the blessed Object it self. Then I was cautioned to be heedful in this respect, and to watch how to receive all power∣ful

impressions hereby: all which was for the bringing on the heavenly Birth, to every degree of perfection. Then no strange nor unusual thing, it shall be to see the very express glory of the Maje∣sty; when you are Christed, and all clo∣thed upon with him. Then shall ye see That in your selves, which to others is invisible. Philip could not see the Fa∣ther in Christ: while he was looking out∣wardly, for some wonderful appearance of God in visible Glory, he did not con∣sider, how uncapable he was of that sight; but Jesus invites him to see, and know the Father in the pure simplified humanity. God will to all first mani∣fest himself here, in that which can as∣sume the Christ-like Life: which is the only light and medium, in which we can see God. Christ would have directed Philip to have looked for this Vision of God in himself, but he knew he was not clarified in his Mind and Spirit for that species: his Eys were not anointed, the Holy Ghost not being yet given to him. Therefore Christ directed him to turn his Eye inward, to see the influ∣ence of the Divine Power and Presence of the Father in and by Christ. Who

gave him this rebuke: Have I been so long with you, and yet have you not seen the Power of the Deity acted forth in me? The Disciples were but of dull sight, and flow of belief; so that it was not the conversation of Christ, although all holy, perfect and good, in his Visible Figure. That did give the transformati∣on, till he did convey his Spiritual Bo∣dy into them, they could not rightly know him, nor yet the Father in him. Then the Spirit ecchoed this through me, O haste, and seek to be baptized by the Holy Ghost, that ye may both know, and be perfect in the Father and in the Son; then may you see God in Christ apparently. God in God, some∣times in an immaculate Nature, and some∣times in the essence of a Spirit out of Nature. From hence learn to see your selves all fully in Christ, as anointed by the Holy Spirit into him, and then you will not make complaint, for want of the visibility of his glorified Person. When ye shall see your selves in him, and know him in your selves, as the ex∣press Image of the invisible God. Then you cannot but walk in the constant sight of that, which is all beautiful,

comely, sweet, and ravishing. For then ye will never care to turn your Eyes, nor set your Foot out of this pleasant Habitation, when the Holy Ghost shall be ever in you, the Tabernacle of God.