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.

May the 9th. 1677.

This day my Spirit was cast into a very serious and deep debate about that Proposal, which was the other morn∣ing, so audibly made by the Spirit of our Lord Jesus unto us. Whose Faces hereunto were set, and our Minds here∣unto inclined. I had another onset, by the Friend of him, who most willing is to become our Bridegroom. Who still urged this thing mightily, concerning the actual passing away of our selves, so as to be entirely the Lords, moving it again in this word: Who, who can come as a very Christ to be, who stands in humane property, but those who have bequeathed themselves away, as to move from another Life, in which they may in winged Power go forth. I found my Spirit as in Peter's frame, when our Lord

repeated the question so often, and so suspiciously concerning his loving of him: Even so verily, I found my Heart troubled, and my Spirit grieved, that my Lord did by his Spirit press this thing so hard upon me, as if my Love and Will were hereunto doubted of by this my Lord; from whom knowingly I would reserve nothing, that could be demanded from me. Whose Love-fer∣vour hath been so strong, as to give a∣way my whole Spirit to him, who, I do believe, will renew another more pure and powerful Spirit in us. Then was this by the Spirit further spoken in me, True it is, that thou lovest the Lord thy God with thy whole Soul, and Spi∣rit, which is more then all Burnt-offer∣ings or Worship, though spiritually in∣stituted: yet this is not enough; For Love as it may work in an ardent Spirit, by and through internal flowings to the Object, may stop again: This many have reached unto, and yet have doubted in it again. Therefore God would have a pledge left in his hand, something given him as a fruit of Love, to wit, Life it self must seal the Truth hereof, as go∣ing along with it. Christ was put upon

giving this proof to his Father, not on∣ly in bare love, but by laying down of his Life, for which saith he, I am belo∣loved of my Father: Iohn 10th. So as God had this proof from him, so he expects the same from you: who if you love the Father and Him, then his Com∣mands will not be to you grievous. Ye will then observe all the Antecedents belonging to this Law of Love. Which Love rightly born carrieth a mighty force with it; it cannot deny, or keep any thing back from that which it is cen∣tred in: as hath been evidenced by those great Saints, before Christ's Manifestati∣on and since. As Abraham, he did un∣feignedly love God, when he forsook his own People, and Land of his Nati∣vity, to go where the Lord gave him a word of Command to go: yet this was not sufficient, but ye did see God would prove him further, as in Isaac's death. Which when God saw, that he stopped not in that, which touched the very Life; nay then said the Lord, Because thou hast done this thing, in blessing I will bless thee, I am now sure thou lo∣vest and fearest me, and therefore God will be thy exceeding great reward;

which the Patriarck did fully witness in his day. Numerous instances might be added out of the Scriptures hereunto, as also the late and private experiences of holy Souls, that have been obedient to that true Prophet and Seer, that daily giveth, and maketh known the Coun∣cel of God. Under which seal opening, ye are come. To which Spirit of Wis∣dom, give now an obedient Ear, saith the Holy and True. Upon this I made my application in great earnestness, ac∣cording to that Power and Life, that stirred in me; being greatly distressed to know, what was further to be given up, and parted withal, that consisted in the power of our own Wills; having gone far in the self-abnegation, suppressing and keeping under the earthly part, that so sin could not reign, but be kept un∣der condemnation: So as to this degree some are come. As I was thus silently in the Spirit of my Mind parling, this word was uttered to me, All this is ac∣ceptable, but the very giving up of the Life must be, that my Name may be written in the very Blood thereof, and be returned in a Life-quickning Spirit again. Then will the property of that

which was dull, dark, and corrupt be∣come all light, vigorous, pure, and Chry∣stalline, as the Spirit of Christ was in the Corporeal Figure. The same Mind, which only respects things that are above in the Fathers Kingdom of Glory is to be in you, as it was in Jesus your Lord. For this is the sum and head to which all Prophecies and Revelations tend, even the finishing of this Mystery, Christ the Light, Wisdom, Power, and Righ∣teousness of God: Which can be brought to pass only by giving up, and laying down our Life, as to all sensitive proper∣ties; which is the highest, and most re∣solute act of the Will-spirit to give its Name up thus and to subscribe your Spi∣rit, Soul, and Body in the Blood of that Life, that must die, that so Christ may be only alive in you. And albeit while ye are laying down with great reluctan∣cy that Life, which is so agreeable to this terrestrial Life; because of contempt and dishonour, that it suffers hereby: As your Lord in his Crucifixion went through so by your spiritual mystical gi∣ving up your Lives, though as to this worlds eye in shame, rebuke, and weak∣ness; yet in Truth and Verity, it shall rise

in Strength, Victo••••, and Power in Ghostly Majesty, whereby ye will pos∣sess the Gates of your Enemies. This is most wonderfully deep, if it may be fa∣thomed by the Spirit in you.