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Text Sermons : ~Other Speakers G-L : Jane Lead : (The Revelation) 30 - CHAP. XXIV.

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May 23. 1680.

KNow, whoever ye be; that are made willing to venture the loss of all to arrive at this Pearl of Charity, that you shall most surely find it: and great rejoicing there will be at the finding of this lost Groat. Indeed for this the House of the Soul must be first thoroughly searched: and the great Opposite, which is, the natural Self-Love must be swept out. Yet what is that which we are required to set down by the loss of, but what is Dust, Rubbish, Filth and Dross: and to have our Hearts emptied and cleansed of all of this kind: that so the King of Love may enter in with his full Train, wherein we may know nothing but Concord and high Tranquility, with a springing Treasury of all Goodness? Wherefore let all Holy and pure Minds be stirred up to wait for the dropping Dews, which fall from the one eternal Element, to bring this Plant of Love’s Kingdom forward; even unto its full height of Perfection: and be tender of its first Buddings, for it hath many subtil Enemies, both at home and abroad. It is the Heir, and therefore is conspired against: for can but the envious Spirits find out where its Birth doth spring, they will attempt to kill it whilst it is but an Infant. For which cause it must be hid in the Clifts of the Eternal Rock, there to be fed and nourished with its own Nature-Milk, and Honey of Love: till it become strong and able to encounter and overcome all its Opposites, that it may reign alone, as Monarch of the Soul.

My Friends, who-ever ye be that shall read this experimental Writing, know assuredly, that if you can but find this burning Star of Love risen: Nay, if you can but feel the Glowings and Enkindlings of its Heat in the Center of your Hearts, it is more to be valued than all other spiritual Gifts, Powers and divine Ornaments, which pertain to the new Creation. And if so, then it must carry the Preeminency over these: then we may boldly set at nought, despise, contemn, and trample down all Mortal Dominions, and all of Sensual Loves, Joys and Delights; promoted, and held fast, by such as give no place to this Rising Birth of Purifying Love. For you must know, it is such a Sacred and Coelestial Seed, coming immediately from the Heart of the Deity, as cannot admit any thing of defilement or pollution to abide with it. It soon leaves the Soul, if it take but in what cannot agree with, or abide the burning touch of this Altar Coal.

But here it may be asked, What is this LOVE, which is so highly exalted above all Heavenly and Earthly things? Sure there must be some rare transcending Quality in it, not commonly known, that makes you press it so vehemently.

Truly, well I may: yet not I; but the Essential Love it self. Which doth move me to open and reveal the wonderful and hidden Mystery of it: Which happily hath not been understood, (as Now) by Breaking up the Fountain of it; that so it may plentifully run forth. For giving the Light of the Knowledge of It, doth but make way for the very substantial Body it self, to arise sensibly in its flaming Quality. Which is felt in whomsoever its Birth is found.

Take this further Account of it, that it is known for to be the most holy and pure Generation of the Immaculate Virgin of God. For whom is prepared a Virgin-Womb, for high and suitable Contaction: that so this might be but One; and the choice and undefiled one of her that brings it forth. It will not now at Christ’s second Birth be, as it was at his first. Then his Visage was marred more than any of his Likeness; a Man of Sorrows, and acquainted with Griefs; there was no Form or Comeliness in him: which made him to be set at naught, and greatly despised, though without Sin or Guile. But being found a Sufferer under it, he therefore could not be exalted till he had slain the Enmity, and wrought out Victory: And thus He hath his first Birth in us; which must precede his second. But there is a vast difference between Christ’s first and second Coming. Many Ages are passed, wherein the Saints have only known the Birth of Christ in them after this weak, suffering, dying and reproachful State.

The Apostles themselves, upon whom the Holy Ghost was poured forth after a most signal manner, by which Christ gave witness in them of his Victory and Exaltation, enabling them to work Miraculously; yet notwithstanding were not got beyond the suffering Birth of Christ in themselves: for they only had the Revelation and Fore-sight of his appearing in Power and great Glory; Pointing to it, and Reckoning of it. But they departed this Life, and did not see the sign of the Son of Man to take up in them for a visible Reign and Kingdom, that they might redeem out of all Tribulation: and so it hath continued until this Day. Nay, yet there is not to be found a Generation so prepared and made ready for the second coming of Christ, as was in that day. Which might make us doubt, whether the coming of Christ be so nigh: because this Birth of Love is so hardly found in any, risen up to an absolute Dominion; which is as sure Introduction to the Omnipotent Reign of Christ, in this visible Earth, in the inward Properties of the Love Flock.

But you will say, The Apostles, and those that were Converted by their Ministry, were all in the Dispensation of Love, and were in expectation of having the Kingdom restored to Israel in their day; and what was the reason then that Christ’s second Birth did not rise in them?

To which I Answer, That it was thought meet by the Father of Wisdom, that all of that Christ-like Generation should drink of their Lord’s suffering and dying Cup: as he often hinted unto them, when Personally with them; though they had a general Spirit of Prophecy concerning his Glorious Reign, in which he would appear in his Saints. And then again, it may be demur’d upon, Whether those Elders themselves had compleated their own Regeneration; and so were perfectly arrived to the Throne-Dominion of Love, to set down as fixed Overcomers thereupon, no more to descend from that exalted Degree. St. Paul, Peter and John that were most eminent amongst them, seemed to have somewhat more in their Eye, than to what they had got up to: and so were still hard upon their Race, making after it. However; though it may be concluded, that they had gotten the Start, and were much before any that are known in this day: yet it seems that hitherto Love’s Womb hath been shut up from bringing forth Children of the Resurrection; at least to any that is manifestly known. But for this we may have good hope, that if indeed it be Born in any one, it will be made strong to maintain its Right and Superiority over the whole inward Creation, ruling as God. By whom it is certainly avouched, that a Virgin shall be given to such, for eternal Generation; who shall be able to raise, and quicken the Holy Grain of Love, that lieth as dead, even in those that are number’d in Christ’s Fold: that so Love may see her Off-spring to multiply exceedingly unto all perfect Purity. Such an holy Congregation and Society being once raised to reign upon Love’s Throne together, they will be as so many raised Banners, which will be terrible to the Nations, which stand without the circle of Love.

Now by all this we see what hath hitherto put a stop, and caused the Lord to delay his coming: and will still, till perfect Love be come, to burn up every Image in the Mind, that is not engraved by God’s own Finger. It’s certainly to be concluded, that Charity is the golden Wash, and the Baptizing Pool, out of which Souls do come all Ruddy and White, Clear and Bright; to whom the Lord may say, My Dove, my fair One, my Undefiled, come away: the Love-Scarlet-Dye hath washed thy Blackness away; so that now thou art all fair in my Eye.

This is a Prophecy which hath now in some its fulfilling, and will have more abundantly, as this Spirit of burning Love takes possession of Hearts. And then the very Face of God will be the Covering, by which we shall see and know, what before we were ignorant of, our own pure Love-Nativity: which was fore-known in Christ, before the Word of Wrath and Bitterness did shew it self. And thus by the first and second Birth of Christ in us, all will come to be restored to a glorious new Creation: where Love shall dye no more, nor Sin live; which brought in Curse and Sorrow, and estranged God from us.

Now is not all this a most perswasive Motive, to the Love-Flock, where-ever scattered, that God intends to bring them to this Love-band of Perfection; that so we may know one another as God’s enkindled Sparks, encreasing to Flames; which are to consume all Envy and Wrath, as Stubble and Dross? The Trumpet sounds from Mount-Zion, and waxeth louder and louder: We daily hear it; from which we have declared the most excellent things concerning the Eternal Love-Fellowship, in God’s own Clearness, in which no spot of Darkness is to be found.

Obj. You will say, Where are such to be found, according to this degree, which you have here described? All visible Churches and Societies are far too light, when weighed with this golden Grain, and Shekel of the Eternal Sanctuary.

Answ. We know it to be so from the all-piercing Eye, which doth try all degrees of Love: And it may be universally bewailed, that so much superficial, formal and dead Love is found both to God and to one another. Hence we do not wonder that the Bridegroom makes no more haste; his Bride wanting as yet her full Vesture or Robe of pure Charity, without which she can never be said to be ready. For this is to be all her Glory, both Within and Without, and to adorn her for her love and delight.

May 24. 1680.

Therefore all Preeminence and Honour give to Love, taking all care to nourish it up in God: and there abound in it towards one another. This high, pure and mystical Unity of Love hath been yet very little understood; and less practiced: that Heaven-born Society is much scattered. Where is Love’s paved Habitation to be found, in which fervent Charity doth wholly act and move, loving and admiring, as God appears and looks forth through the Lattice of Humanity in each one? Oh! how should it draw out, and open the Springs of Love, as God himself, who is the Spirit and Life of Love, which moveth and riseth in holy Souls! And therefore it becomes us to be tender of it, not to grieve it or quench it in one another; for that may cause it to sink and dye away in ourselves: and then the very Ark of our strength declines with it.

Upon which consideration, O ye Heaven-born, out of the Womb of Eternal Love, where-ever dispersed, let your Gatherings be to this lifted-up-Standard, where Love’s Kingdom is known, and possessed in all Peace, Joy and Tranquility. The Trumpet from Mount-Zion doth sound, to call you away from all worldly, drossy, perishing Loves; even from all which are not Supersensual and Coelestial: Nay, further from all luke-warm superficial Love, towards what Coelestial is; since Love’s workings must be fervent, strong and immutable, for the making meet for the Rising and Abiding Powers of the Holy Ghost to work from.

All which Power will be brought out of the fiery Furnace of Love. For the great and mighty things that are to give Testimony of Christ’s Kingdom in his Saints being come; It will surely open from this Center. Now, who-ever ye are that feel the touch of this Coelestial Fire-Stone, send forth your warming Sparks, to set one another in an holy Flame; know your own Mother’s Children; hide not your selves from them; be no longer Strangers towards them; find them out from North to South; revive yet once again the Apostolical knot, and band of unfeigned Love, that may fore-run the Bridegroom’s return to dwell amongst us: that so we may no longer Fast and Mourn; but be ever feasted with Love’s multiplying Blessings from the Fountain-Deity. Even so confirm it, O Lord Jesus accordingly!

[See more of this in the Fountain of Gardens, by the same Author, Vol. III. Part II. p. 239.]




Verses Upon Divine Love

OH God! inspire with thy Love-Fire,
That we may abide with th’ Angelick Quire,
The Lamb’s Trump doth sound to call us up,
To drink of this Love-flaming Cup:
Whose Spirit doth so sweetly burn,
As Mortals into Seraphims to turn:
Is not this the transforming Thing,
Which to a God-like Being us will bring?

Oh Charity! What can be said of thee,
Thou that proceedest from the Deity?
Henceforth I must proclaim thy Fame
To all that bear that Living Name.
Who would not be in love with Love also,
Whose force is greater than the greatest Foe?
How doth it expel all Fears; that they fly,
Because of sweet Peace and Serenity?

LOVE born of God, Heir to all His Goods,
Steward of his House, giving out Food:
Is not this the One only excellent thing,
Which will fetch out the Serpent’s Sting?
Nay, more than this I clearly see,
Love will enter the secret of the Deity,
Where ye will see Love a burning Lamp,
Upwards flying, never chok’d or dampt.

Wind we our Angels up to God above,
Where we may drink our fill of Love,
And feast on those fat, and pleasant things,
That are within the Gardening Springs,
Where th’ everlasting Gates do open stand,
For such ase ar united in Love’s Band:
Come, enter then as Chariot-burning Flame,
Into that Holy Place which known is by Name.

We feel Love like a bubling Spring,
Which make us the new Song ever Sing.
All Praises we will give to Elohim,
Who rideth on the Seraphim:
Floods of Joy, with Coelestial Praise,
Shall now out-flow to the Antient of Days;
For while we feel, and taste Love’s Fire,
It doth extinguish all earthly Desire.

Let Love stream forth as a Shower,
Let it flow forth in Life and Power;
This is the thing that is most pure,
It can all of our Diseases fully cure.
Oh! let the Kingdom of this Love come,
That we may reign with God the Son
In everlasting Love’s sweet Harmony,
Hereby conquering all of the Enmity.

Love is the Lamb’s pure Virgin-Bride:
She is all Fair and Comely in his sight.
So sweet, so mild, so ravishing in his Eye,
That in his Love-imbraces she must lie:
And there possess such pure Coelestial Joy,
As none can know, or come to annoy.
A Bed of Rest must here for her be found,
That makes Love’s Trumpet ever sound.



The Same by Another Hand: With some
Alteration.

Come Holy Ghost, sweet Heavenly Dove,
Thou sweetest mild, and yet most Powerful Love,
Come and Inspire
With Thy Love-Fire,
Come and Inflame our Hearts,
That we may bear our Parts
In Praises High, with the Angelick Quire.

How sweetly does the Virgin-Trumpet sound,
The Trump of Love, that calms the Earth around?
Softening obdurate Hearts; It melts the Rocks,
And into Fertile soft and moistn’d Globe,
Dissolves the Stony Ground.
It speaks in Fire; and Thorns that tear the Flocks,
Or choak the Heavenly Seed, are but its Fuel found.

How sweetly does it Call? Invite us up,
To drink of this Love-Flaming Cup;
Whose quick Invigorating Spirits burn
So strongly, so divinely in the Soul,
Thro’ Spirit, Body, thro’ the whole;
That Mortals into Seraphins are turn’d.
This is the only true Transforming thing,
That to a God-like being, that to Deiformity will bring.

O Charity! What can be said of Thee?
O Love! Whence art Thou? From the Deity.
How loudly then must I proclaim,
Love’s Everlasting Origine and Fame?
To all that wait to bear the Great Elchaijah’s Name.
The Name of Life, and Resurrection-Power,
Glory, Dominion, Riches, Triumphs, Joys:
At last the Suffering Spouses Dow’r.

O Love! who would not be in Love with Thee?
O Love! we sure must own thy Deity,
For sure I am, that He is Thee.
With thee, in what blest Safety shall we dwell,
Who hast Omnipotence thy Foes to expel.
Scatter’d by thy Perfection high:
All Fears from ev’ry side around Thee fly.
They cannot bear
Thy Blisful Shrine so near;
The Temple of sweet Peace, and Blest Serenity:

Where ev’ry Soul Rejoices,
And all Harmonious Voices.
For Service high of Praise combine in Thee,
In perfect Love-concordant Unity.

Love Born of God, is Heir of all His Goods,
As Steward of his House, it gives out Food:
Indulgent Mother to her Off-spring;
She feeds ‘em with that Quintessential thing,
That fetches out all Venom of the Serpent Sting.
Nothing can enter God but Love,
And that most Free.
From whence we prove,
That Love can Rend the Vail, and in the Holiest move,
And touch the secret Centre of the Deity.
Whence its Originating Fires ascend
Eternal, Inextinguishable, without Bound or End.

O ye Superior Angels of our Souls,
Wind up, wind up above this Earth’s Controul:
Let us live, and fix above,
Where we may drink our fill of Love.
Feast on those Fat and pleasant things,
That are within the Gard’ning Springs,
Where th’ Everlasting Gates wide open stand,
To the Indeard-United in Love’s Band.
Ascend, Ascend ye Guardian Seraphs Dear.
We follow to Love’s Element and Sphere;
We follow as in Burning-Chariot Flames;
Into that Holy, Holy, Holy Known,
But too August to Name.

Love, Love we feel, that like a Bubling Spring,
Unrising from the Centre of the Heart,
Rivers of Pleasures ev’ry way imparts;
And teaches us the Nuptial Song to Sing.

Hence Praises Naturally Ascend,
Constant and Vigorous without End
To the mighty Elohim,
Who Rides upon the Seraphim:
Full Tides of Joy, mingling with flowing Praise,
Flow and Reflow to th’ Antient of Daies.
For while we taste and feel Love’s sacred Fire,
We are in Heaven, and swallow’d up in God,
Forget the Earth, and ev’ry low Desire.

Still let thy Love stream forth in mighty Showers,
Still let it flow in its Life-giving Powers.
This is the only thing most pure,
That satiates the Heavenly new Desire,
As it the old Inferior Cures,
O let the Kingdom of this Love be known,
That we may Reign with God, in Jesus Throne,
In everlasting Love’s sweet Harmony;
Love Reconciling Discord, slaying Enmity.

Love is the Lamb’s pure Virgin-Bride;
She is all Fair and comely in his Sight;
So sweet, so mild, so ravishing in his Eye,
That in his Love-Embraces she must lie:
Possessing there such pure Coelestial Joy,
As none without can know, or come to annoy.
Here the † Throne-Chariot-Love pav’d Bed is found,
Of Heavenly State Divine Magnificent,
In Glories Triumphs Joys unspeakable:
From whence around,
By Angels blown Divinely Sweet, and loud,
Love’s Golden Trumpets Ever, ever sound,
Slinging the Joyful Tydings far and wide,
The Heavens with Echo’s clear Resounding,
And from the Earth the Joy Rebounding;
The Marriage of the Lamb is come:

The Bride
Prepar’d, Adorn’d Enthron’d,
Her Blessed Nuptial Crown’d,
And Love’s All-Conquering and Triumphant Power,
Ore All-Imperial own’d.

† Cant. 3.9,10. The Word in the Original signifies also a Bed. And in the Spiritual part aptly denotes, the Triumphal Procession.





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