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.

Iune the 23th. 1677.

Sarah and Abimelech.

This Morning as I was recollecting my interiour Powers and Faculties, which I found had been somewhat scattered, by being let out and employed upon secu∣lar concerns: and which I found was as go∣ing upon Thorns, grievous and unsavo∣ry; Upon this my Spirit made appli∣cation, with Soul-meltings, for Life-re∣covery and restitution to those wonted familiarities, and divine discoveries; wherein consisted all my peace, life, and satisfaction. Upon which my care now was, how we, who were under a pecu∣liar obligation, should discharge our selves of all, and every weight that had beset us. For it was presented to me, that while we were gathering together, what might accommodate our outward man, as Paul did the sticks to warm him after his perilous voyage; even so we upon necessary and lawful things being

employed, were in danger of the poison∣ous Vipers, which would stick so close to our hands, as we should be constrain∣ed to awaken and call up the Most Holy Adjuring Power of the Mighty God. Whereby we might be able to cast them off, before they infected our pure eter∣nal Life-blood; that so we might pro∣ceed forward in our Spiritual Work. For this word was spoke, why seek ye to dwell in ceiled houses, and let the most holy in your selves lie waste? Then a∣gain this word met me, Take heed of the Commonsewer that corrupteth the whole Earth; that it break not in upon you. For it is a Noah's flood: it will sweep all away, that are out of God's Ark. Upon which warnings I guirded up upon my Watch-Tower, to hear what would be further opened to me. Having had somewhat yesterday passing through me upon Abimelechs taking Sarah from Abraham: The Meaning of it was this day made out further unto me; the Spirit taking up that Scripture, as in way of a Parable, to shew us the danger in passing through with the Virgin Mind amongst Foreigners and Strangers; though not intending to take it up as a dwelling

place, but only to sojourn as Abaham did in Gerar.