SermonIndex Audio Sermons
SermonIndex - Promoting Revival to this Generation

Give To SermonIndex
Text Sermons : ~Other Speakers G-L : Jane Lead : (The Revelation) 29 - CHAP. XXIII.

Open as PDF

Here follow the Divine Openings of the Reign
and Kingdom of the LOVE.

May 3. 1680

HAving been exercised for some considerable time, in the Prophetical Office and Ministration, from the Spirit of Revelation, as my Writings bear witness; concerning the Kingdom of Christ in its suffering state first of all, then in its rising up through Tribulation unto Victory, for Dominion and Glorification through the Love: Now I am to Relate what Further given down hath been. The Degrees hich lead hereunto, have been sufficiently described [in The Heavenly Cloud, first Printed in 1680 by the Author;] which hath had most forcible effects, for the bringing in and establishing of this Kingdom. Wherein, and to whom this Spirit of Prophesie was given for a sealing Evidence, that the Spirit of Truth was the Spring of those foregoing Revelations: which are now to be confirmed by the present Reign of a Risen Christ, in some personalities, which are and shall be taken up for this end; to shew it forth, by that most excellent and perfect thing coming in, which is the Love-Dominion. Which hath exalted the same Prophetical Spirit, to be with Christ upon the Throne, and doth Absolutely rule in God’s meek Love over the whole Region, even to the utmost parts of the Souls inward Earth. Wherein now great peace is found; the Government being carried on serene and calm, through the conquering Love. Which hath, like a River, run over the whole Earth. But this was not so fully felt, known, and witnessed as of late. The former Reign was maintained but in an imperfect degree: the Spirits within were indeed under awe and check; yet unwillingly made subject to the Kingdom’s Laws, that were renewed, suitable to this most eminent and singular Ministration. Sometime I was under it; which was looked upon as sharp and severe: The Old Man being rein’d in very straight, would have gone forth into reluctancy; and so break all Harmony in the properties, that should be found abiding in the new Model.

And thus indeed the Kingdom hath suffered violence; and hath been hid in great Strife: as many holy Souls may witness with me in the same case; who are come thus far to the Dominion. Which is a good and hopeful Introduction to the ruling Scepter of Love; in which will be found a far more pleasant and joyous Kingdom: when all and every Spirit is brought over, and subjected to the Love’s Soveraignity, respectively in their order and place, to their superior Governour, the Heaven-born Spirit, who personates Christ upon the Throne. Now to come to have every motion tinged with the fiery Love Balsam, how will they run and fly, at the very look of the Kingly anointed Eye: where Love’s rays are so vehement, as to captivate every thought to the obedience of the Lord’s Anointed King; not in some, but in all and every thing! Which will indeed make every Saint that hath attained hereunto, walk worthy of God. Whose Being consisteth in the Essentiality of Love: And where any is admitted to be as God’s fellow Companion, by being in the Center-Life of a Love-dominion; There must necessarily follow all Holy Boldness to come into a Christ’s propriety with God the Father; as Heirs with him of all Kingdoms, that are worthy of inheriting, whether in the Mystery, or out of it. Love’s Center opens through all; and brings in an endless Pleasure and Joy: which cannot be by any worldly Craft stolen away. Therefore it is that most excellent thing, that will heal and cure all within the Soul; reconciling what was at variance, whether in relation to God, or to any of our fellow Members. Therefore what is to be more desired, or to be paralleled with it? I must solemnly profess, that I have found such Sovereign Power and Sweetness in the opening of this Love-Center, that I cannot but commend it to others: and seek earnestly to have more fellow-Commoners with me at God’s Table; that there we may sit down together, and feed upon the fruits of Love, which are the Wine and Strength of the Kingdom. For in very Truth I am come to witness Holy Paul’s conclusion of it, that it is the absolute Perfect Thing, that works out all imperfection, removing all sorrow and grief from the Mind and Heart. For it is a strong and vehement Heat, that devours fear and anxiety. Oh! how doth it shelter and secure from all blood sucking Vipers, that they cannot prey upon the inward part of the Soul. Because this is a Love which cannot Imagine into any evil thing; and therefore nothing of the Serpent’s Venom can mingle with it. Which makes the Soul to know it self to be returned to its Eternal primary Concord, and Virgin Simplicity.

But now it may be Queried, Whether I give forth the commendation of this high and perfect Love, from Revelation, or from divine and pure sensation? I must truly humbly acknowledge, it is from Both: they are met together, as proceeding from one Love-Center. Which is the first Glass wherein I saw the aimable Beauty, and worthiness of this most Excellent Thing; with all those advantages and great prerogatives attending it. For it brings in no less than a Kingdom of sweet peaceable Amity and Love; whereby I now Sensibly find an unspeakable benefit.

But it may be asked farther, How comes this most precious and worthy Thing to be wrought so Essentially in the Soul, as to be evermore ruling upon the Throne; as having got absolute conquest over whatsoever would make Seditions, and Broils, within the Regency of the Soul?

In Answer to this, I shall give my Own particular Experience, as one who hath obtained Grace of this kind. It is Risen, and hath wrought out great Victory, after it was begotten by Species and Revelation, and formed in me, as a true Essential Life-Birth; which I did find daily grow up; and it did encrease in Wisdom and Strength. But then after that, this Love was grown up to such a vehemency towards my God, as known to me, in the person of my Lord Christ; from and through frequent visits, and very intimate Conversation: which I did daily enjoy, in an unknown and most singular way. This in very Truth was so grateful and sweet, that it drew up my superior vital Spirit after Him: So that all Places and Companies, became very tedious and unpleasant to me, where I was prevented of feeding the flame of my Love, from the beautifical enjoyment of his presence.

The truth is, I had sucked in such a sweet Savour, through a most intimate Friendliness, (to which my Lord condescended, for the Joy and Love-delight of my Soul) as I could scarcely admit the giving my Conversation to any, in whom I could not see his all-aimable Spirituality; for which alone I reserved my self. For indeed I could willingly have attended it day by day continually, without any intervening Night. But my Bridegroom after all this ingratiating of himself to me, did often prove those two great Witnesses in me, of Faith and Love; which as two Twins did grow up out of the fresh Sharon, which was renewed Within; from whence they did with great strength and loveliness spring. But many hard Encounters, and rude Assaults, they were fain to bear. And first in this respect, my Lord Jesus having begotten his own lively Signature in me, by his often appearing, and so passing in himself as an Essential rising Body, that naturally cared only to move and act in the Sphear of High and Heavenly things, and at no time to be found out of that Circumference: in this to be thwarted and prevented, was my very great tryal; I having reference only to GOD in this matter. On whom my Faith and Love was exercised, for having all outward vacancies and advantages; that might cherish and nourish up this Lily-Birth, according to its native Kind: which neither could agree to go out into the gross, muddy, and infectious Air of this noisom Kedar, or Worldly Region. But so it was, that my Lord suffered it thus, by reason of many temporal Necessities, wherein I was constrained to spend my time; which should wholly have been employed upon a more worthy and considerable account, than to serve the Table of the outward Man: which I looked upon as very low and mean, in comparison of that High-born Heir, whom I carried as an invisible Glory, under the Vail of contemptible Corporeity. And upon this consideration God tried his own begotten Love, whether it would hold out under all damps, checkings and suppressings, both inward and outward, which it met withal. For I apprehend, I had so great an interest and hold of the Almighty, that it had been an easie thing to have had all Needful things to come to serve the free born Spirit, and not be engaged in the Toil and servile Care, after the Rudiments of the present fallen and self-ingrossing Generation. The Customs and manner of which, my Spirit had long since been made to dissent from, in obedience to the Law of Faith: which I continue to keep up unto, expecting all Income of Blessing there-from. And though hitherto the Lord hath exceedingly proved me herein; yet now the Thousand-fold is beginning to break in, even by that pure and only Love-dominion, which I do feel open in the highest leavening Property: for it reacheth to the Bounds of the everlasting Mountain of God’s immutability of Love, from whence it springs. And what? may it not multiply and produce, as it goeth on, still conquering all Enmity, where-ever it meets it, as having overcome it in its own soulish Essence; and so may do the same in others, who groan and travel for the same; being but weak in Love, and so not able to out-wrestle Love’s opposite.

This is, and will be the signal Motto, whereby that perfect thing call’d Charity will be known, which seeketh not its own Dignity and Tranquility in Heavenly Places, there to reign in the Love alone; but most ardently seeks it for its fellow-Members, even when rejected and fought against. For this is the new Gospel-Law so urged and pressed by the Lord, and his Apostles in their day, as knowing it was the only means to plant us again in our own pure Eternal Beginning, where nothing but perfect Love was known. Oh! this is of such import and weight, as I cannot but from the feeling sense hereof, set forth the exceeding Sweetness that is to be found in it, when it comes of a Conqueror; having been tryed by God himself, and by our fellow Disciples, which is more piercing than any Tryals from others. Yet all this will not quench the right Spirit, which is tinctured with the God-head flame of Love: It is so strong, that it works over all Choakings, and Water-Floods that would drown it.

May 6. 1680.

Thus having given a most true and experimental Account, how the Kingdom of Love came to reign in Dominion: for all Shakings of this pure Plant, rooted and fastened it as an invincible Rock: As in reference to GOD, the Being of Love; so likewise towards all my fellow-Members, growing up in all their various degrees in this Body of Love, fulfilling that Royal Law, which is to love one another from a pure Heart; not superficially or feignedly, but with such a Love as wherewith God our Father hath loved us. Who caused his Love to enter in our Enmity: and did thereby slay it, and reconcile a depraved Nature, which stood out in all Refractoriness against his Grace and Kindness.

Now after this sort we are to love one another, even where we meet with Reluctancy and Gain-sayings, to the killing and opposing of this pure thing; yet Charity, that is begotten of God in us, will suffer, and bear, and rise up a Conqueror through all Beatings and Quenchings. And truly, whosoever hereunto arrive, and can fixedly keep upon the Throne, and uncessantly Reign over all Assaultings and Contradictions of this kind in themselves, and out of themselves, they may well and really conclude, that the Perfect Thing is come, that will redeem from all Evils; even from the wrathful Root it self of Enmity: From whence all Self-Love, Envy, Haughtiness, Covetousness and Bitterness do proceed. Now Love’s-Birth rising in its strong Might in the Soul, is as that Eternal anointed Christ, who is come to condemn Sin in our Flesh; yea, the very Root and Source of all Sin: and we shall certainly know the falling away of the Man of Sin thereby. For Love is that which irrecoverably sinks him into his own bottomless Lake, from whence he can never rise any more.

But it may be said, this is a rare and wonderful thing indeed; But is it attainable during this time of Mortality? Yea, assuredly, or else the Lord Christ, would never have urged it, and commanded it so frequently, both in leaving it as his last Charge, and Summing up the whole Law of Perfection, in Love to God and our fellow-Members; preaching the same Doctrine by his Spirit in the Apostles after his Ascension, according as it is by St. John and St. Paul abundantly recorded: Read their Epistles, and you will find what an Eminency is put upon this Gift, more than all others, * as that which is the Band of Perfection, that unites and ties the other firmly together. I shall Instance one special Scripture, and refer you to what you may find in numerous Places elsewhere. But this had its peculiar Openings, by the Anointing in me, Col. 3.12. where you will find sum’d up a Bundle of rich Fruits of the Spirit, wherein we might have concluded nothing more could have been added, for the making the Man of God perfect. But the Apostle goeth on further, as if all this was too short, there was yet an higher Work to be aim’d at, which follows in these words, And above all things put on Charity, which is the Bond of Perfectness. One would have thought this had been included, when he exhorted to put on Bowels of Kindness, Humbleness, Meekness, Long suffering and Forgiveness; but now the Holy Ghost brings in Charity, as Distinct and more Excellent.

[ *What Follows having been Carelessly Omitted in the Former Edition, is Restored in This from the Original.]

[Margin note: A Description of the Flame of the holy Spirit, as sensibly and bodily felt.]

“The Holy Inspiration thus Opened it: That Charity is of that high Extraction, and so purely descended; Composition of its Birth, being all Matter of Incorruptibleness; that no defiled thing can ever enter it. Its consistency is an invisible Body, as thin as Air, as piercing as a Flame; an all-moving and acting vigorous Spirit of Power and Life; that can go in and out, as an invisible Breath. Which no mortal Eye can see: only its force may be felt as a Seraphick Heat; that burns as a Refiners Fire in our Corporality, to the end that it may tinge it with the Holy Ghost’s property.”

This is the true and faithful delineation of this perfect thing, call’d by the Apostle Charity. Where ever this comes, it makes all imperfect things flee before it; which cannot answer to it. But it strengthens and confirms every springing weak Plant, that is sown by the Spirit: and fetcheth them also up, which have lain as Buried under Ground. It is the King-flower of the whole Paradisical Spring, that protects the whole; transmuting all into one entire Body of Love: that doth extend and give forth it self in all Spiritual Bountifulness; according to its high Nature and Property. It is not shut up to it self upon any consideration; as to what it possesseth and enjoys. For it holds no Self-Propriety; whatever its Lot is. As to Worldly Possessions, they are as Free and Common, to the Disciples that are of the same Descent and Birth with himself. This Love cannot with-hold from any of their Necessities, what is in its possession; for it seeks not its own. Then it hath also a virtual Power, (as being made to inherit the best of Riches and Substance of the everlasting Kingdom) to convey and freely distribute of this inexhaustible Treasury, to Impoverished in Soul: and to relieve them that are in great Distress. Which Power can pass in, as an high Spiritual Balsam, to heal the Wounded, who are under the striking of the Scorpion-Sting of the Serpent. For this Love is a ministring Flame, that can go in, where holy Passiveness and Humility are as the open-Door for its access: and there cherish and feed it with what its present degree doth require. Charity is furnished with all Sorts and Stores: It is God’s Steward upon Earth, whom he dare trust with the Care of his Household; who are in spiritual Hunger and Nakedness. It is a most infallible truth, that God will appoint such holy Overseers in his new-born Church, that shall recover the Apostolical Spirit and Power, that hath been lost out of the Earth: and it shall rise as a most bright Morning-Star, and multiply it self into a Generation that will be all lovely; in which God may see himself.

For which end, the Kingdom and Dominion is already come into Some: and prospers to this expected degree, treasuring up now for a full Bank, in store against that Day, in which our Son of Man will again appear in the Heavens; for the delivering up the Kingdom to the Father, that so God (who is Love) may be all in all. But in order to the accomplishing of this last and finishing Mystery, there shall arise a Melchizedeck Priesthood: which shall know the way into the Holiest of all. Concerning which, we shall come in our Course to declare, after this Subject is finished; for it springs out of Love’s-Root in us. For this is the most clear and undeniable witness of Truth, when Light of Revelation, and Life of Enjoyment meet together, then Declaration carries Power and Authority with it.

But to return to the present Thing: What can be said sufficiently of it, that so (if possible) the reign of Love may come to spread it self, as a Net to gather in, for the Priestly Kingdom? Why some other Motions may be further urged, as These; Would you be always in a serene, quiet and peaceable Frame and Constitution of Mind; so as no vicissitude, no working-Cross, or Turbulency towards you, whether from Gentiles, Barbarians or Israelites? All of these can give nothing of Disturbance, where Charity is predominant. And why so? This is very marvelous, never to be perplexed, and never to be put out of Harmony!

Objection. But how can this agree? When as our most perfect Pattern was said to be troubled, and his Soul was sorrowful unto Death; as also, that Afflictions are not joyous for the present?

First, We will Answer this main Objection, as to Christ our Lord in his Agonies: You must know, that all this was on This side of his Resurrection. [Observe that:] And it was to shew, that he had the sensible Passions of our Humanity; and that he was on our behalf to feel a sinless Grief and Sorrow, and to be really touched with these kind of Infirmities. Or else how could he make Provision through, and by Love’s Conquest; if he had not been in Temptation, and in Encounter with all Despite and Defamations? But yet he maintained his own Peace (which was the Fruit of Love) through all: and was reconciled to all the cross-Dispensations, that met him in the World. For it was this perfect Love that carried him through to bear and suffer all things: and this was for our Example and Encouragement, to express, during the time of his humane Minority, those sensible Dolours and Passions. But he comes off a victorious Champion, and tells us, That he had overcome: and assureth us, That in him we shall have a most fixed and firm Peace, though in the World exercised with Tribulation.

So from hence it is to be admitted and allowed, that in the time of our Minority, before Love is in its perfect degree risen; it cannot be otherwise expected, but we may be liable to Grief, Sorrow, Commotion, Fears and Jealousies; and so up and down in an uncertain Motion, tossed to and fro in our Minds, and all this because Love is but little, weak, and low of Stature. It is not got up into the Throne of Dominion, so as to govern all by the Law of Love. Yet such are not to be hopeless, or of doubtful Mind; as desponding ever to see the Resurrection of Love, so as to possess its peaceable Immunities.






©2002-2024 SermonIndex.net
Promoting Revival to this Generation.
Privacy Policy