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Text Sermons : ~Other Speakers G-L : Jane Lead : April 7. 1678. The Blessing.

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The greater part of this Night, I passed in a high Spiritual Contaction, with the Mystical presence of that immense goodness seen, wherein the Spirit-Life Essence existeth. But before I could draw in all Spiritual Forces and Powers, for the vivifying and chafing the Life-Blood of the interiour Man's Will and Mind, I had somewhat of a deep conflict, with which I encountered, before I could reach into divine sensation, and feeling touches from the invisible Body. All which had been suspended more than usual, which was my grievance, of which I did much unburthen my Soul, in a silent way of Praying, that was in heaviness through many Temptations, and I much pressed to be delivered out from them. Remembering that was one of Christ's Petitions in the Lord's Prayer, not to be led into Temptation, but if in it, then to find an escape out of it. Which now was experienced, by a manifestation of a Sumptious-Chair, let down with a Person setting in it, with a Crown upon his Head, very Amiable and Glorious, reaching out his Arms, calling to come, and to prostrate before this Mercy-Seat, from whence I heard the blessing pronounced, saying, God, even Thy God, give thee of the dew of Heaven, and the precious things, out of the everlasting deep, and let People serve, and Nations bow down to the rising-Star, that over thy Earth shall have Dominion. This was both amazing, and consolating after my Agony. Drawing me up, and transporting my Spirit into an excessive sweetness of Love's-freedom with him, whom I had seen in Vision. From which my Spirit found all liberty of Speech to Eccho to this Love-Salutation back again. So that my Night was turned into Day, and my Heaviness into Joy.

But now the great concern is, how to keep up in a raised divine posture of Mind, answerable to the degree of Light and Revelation given in. For it is shewn, that is it, which will entail and make sure this great blessing. And the Holy Unction did give further Counsel, To present the Father, (who doth set now upon the Mercy-Seat) with an Abell's offering, to wit, with the firstling and fat of all the Flock, that is, to be found in the field of refined Nature. This verily will commend us to God our Father, and give us favour with him, so as we need not matter all Creaturely unkindness. If Jehovah will us bless, and be our countenance, it will be Jacob's Enough, to which alone let our Faith stick. For there is very much in it, as the Holy Ghost shall make out the property of Blessing, in all its various outflowing Powers, according to these particulars unfolded.

As First from the Dew of Heaven falling down, to enrich and make the Seed to spring, which under the binding Earth doth lye. The Coelestial mist is that, which makes the inward Ground to thrive and multiply to the Thousand fold, as Abraham's visible increase of Cattle, and Goods were; which grew to that abundance, as the Places were too strait, where ever he went, to contain them. Even so it may be considered Spiritually of this degree of Blessing, upon whom it shall rest. This internal Frame, and Model, as confined within this form of Corporiety, will be found much too strait: for the out-birth must depart and give way, that so the strife may cease, and full inlargement may come in, according to the utmost bounds of an Abraham's blessing; which was so excessive great, Figuratively, to let us know and understand the line of Blessing, that it should run in this Age far more high, as we shall come capable hereof. Now let us enquire, What will qualifie us for Blessings of this high Nature and Degree, that so we may not be the Tail but the Head, in all Rule and Authority over the Nations within, and the World without? The way and rule, which the Holy Spirit hath prescribed for it, is Obedience to the law of Faith. Whose precepts run the Soul upon the Ground of all-sufficiency: Nothing less, than God's all-sufficiency stands before its Eye; resting upon that Omnipotency, that calleth those things that are not for to be. Which saith not in the Heart, how can this be? That a dead Womb should bring forth a living Seed, or the vile sinful Body be made pure, and unrebukeable, nay, Angelical and Powerful? For to them, in whom the law of Faith is written. What is it, that shall be impossible, if they decree any thing in this Spirit of Faith, Almighty Power, is at hand to make it good. If they will to do any Miraculous Cures, either Internal, or External, it may be effected, by keeping to the exact rule and method of this highest degree of Faith. Which hath been sunk down so deep in Nature's Ground, that it is incredible, that ever it should be brought up in any for activity. But the Earth shall not always cover her slain, for the Coelestial-Dew, shall make this dead Faith to live in Christ's raised Body; and yet do wonders again in those, who are of the Sealed-Number.

Then the Second qualification in order to the obtaining this high degree of Blessing, is the pure working source of Love, that boyls up like a Pot of perfumed Oyntment: this carrieth a strong force indeed. For nothing hath greater Power with God the Father, than the strong melting Fire of Love, which over-looks all checks and denials, being resolved to pursue the Blessing. When Isaac put Jacob hard to it; to have a confirmation, whether or no, he was the right and first-born Heir of the Blessing; The great vehement Love, made him plead and stand to it, and over-look the difficulty of a repulse from his Father, and thereby he supplanted Esau in his Birth-right. Likewise again, when he was proved the second time, if he had not wrestled hard and resolvedly, not to let go his hold, till the Blessing was again confirmed upon him, he had lost it. Thus through the continued pursuit, he conquer'd all. Which the Holy Teacher hath called up for your example, not only to be strong in Faith, but ardent in Love. Which hath so much of God's own nature in it, as it overcometh all things. So that it may be said, what resistance can be made against Love, that is pure and unfeigned? It dissolveth the very Stone, wherein all Powerful virtue lieth. It enters where nothing else can. It is a Spirit-flame, that can ascend, where the Mine of all Treasury doth lie. Our Lord Jesus Knew the great efficaciousness of this Love, when he prayed, that the Love where withal, the Father did love him, might be in them, who were given unto him, for that would be of mighty Potency. Therefore to whom ever it is given for to love much, such will have the greatest share of the Blessing. Now by all this, our Eyes may be opened to see, what will necessarily qualifie us. Whereupon we are exhorted to mind, and look into it, and to examine whether or no, we have this high provoking Love kindled in us, which may mingle with God's own flaming Nature of Love, so as to kiss each other. Then may it be concluded, this may be the time of Love, that whatever we ask, we may receive. Oh happy were we, if we could arrive to this vehement strong Love, Faith working with it wisely, maintaining the Furnace, that may keep it up boyling. Truly it is evidently shew'd unto me, that this hath been the great set-back, and let in the rising of the perfect Love, to with, the Water-floods that have so often quenched the Furnace, so that we never could keep up Love to its boyling height. Sometimes in the heat of a Love-Passion from the perswasion of the Holy Trinity, it may force pure Love from us, then cooled it is again, as sensible objects and things do come in to smother the Life-flame. So that till the Love fire does get the Mastery, we must expect to be great sufferers, and thereby the Blessing sought will be still prolonged, till Love gets the Victory by immutability. But now what is to be considered for our help in this respect? Shall we always subject be to this Mobility and Life-extinguishments, and Love-coolings? No: the Ghostly Comforter hath proposed a remedy, if we can give to him, our Eyes, Ears, and Heart, then we shall have his Love shed into us, so as to see it a bubbling-spring. Now then it is given us, as in a Glass for to see, what will provoke, and raise our Love to this high degree of a Nuptial-tye, which never can be loosened, either in Time or Eternity. Oh! What shall be able to separate from the Love of God (Now observe the Emphasis) that is in Christ Jesus? This is that, which tieth the knot so fast betwixt God and us, that there is no loosening of it; because his Blood-Life is so shed into our Nature, and doth gradually change us into his perfect Humanity. But this Birth comes on by degrees to the Unity of the Faith. While it is young, wisdom and care must be taken for to hide it: for there is a great confederacy in the Herodian-Kingdom to root out, and destroy it. (This the wise in Spirit do foresee.) If preserved till unto full Age, then this Love Birth will undoubtedly be a Conquerour, and will come and Reign, till no more an evil Spirit be left to offend, throughout all Nature's properties. But during this state of Infancy warned we are, (as Joseph was) to fly out from all, that would kill in the place of breaking forth, and growing up, and to make away with this Heir. Now the Virgin-Mother of this Holy-Birth is all tender, to fore-spy any Conspiracy, and it always gives its own Natural, and Coelestial Food, that it may be nourished in the Wilderness, till the time, and half time is accomplished. Then it is to go forth in Strength, Power, and Force: and then we need no Herod, or Pontius Pilate to fear, because raised above their low Sphear, impowered from God-Almighty, to possess the Blessing of the everlasting Kingdom, in Peace, Joy, and Righteousness. As our Lord ascended into Heaven, Blessing his own, whom he left in the World: Now again, he is to descend with all, and every Heavenly Blessing to bless all those in whom this Love-Seed hath been tenderly cherished. For this the Holy Spirit hath now left with us in charge, to watch over it, as Joseph and Mary did over Jesus during his Minority. Because this is the Seed to whom only the utmost Riches, and fulness of every Blessing in Heavenly or Earthly places doth belong. Thus in the way of divine Rule we are still to go on, and not as impatient to think it tedious or long, but wait for this Birth of Love in us, yet to grow more Mighty and Strong, to enter us into the very essential Being. Wherefrom we may command all, and every kind of Blessing. Thus in Blessing, we shall be Blessed. To which, O Love-flame, bring us up above all Seas and Floods, that would it either kill or quench.





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