April 13. 1678. the Nest-Hunters.
Jane Lead's sermon emphasizes the importance of safeguarding divine inspirations by elevating our thoughts above worldly distractions.
Jane Lead preaches about the importance of guarding our thoughts and inspirations, likening them to precious eggs that need a safe and elevated 'nest' to grow and develop without being snatched away by negative influences. She warns against allowing our pure and divine inspirations to be scattered by worldly distractions and urges us to build our spiritual 'nests' high above the common thorough-fares of the mind, where they can safely mature and take flight towards God.
Text
This Night in the Sleep-Magia, I saw several Nest-Hunters that searched the common Hedges and Trees, that were reachable, the Birds so soon as they were Hatched, to take them away. And when they found Eggs only, they sucked them. Such were these ravenous Birds of prey, though in Corporeal shapes. Then was there a Cry from on high, saying, Thus it will be while any build their Nest, where a common thorough-fair is, that is not raised above the stature of a Man. Consider the wise Eagle, that buildeth on high, where the Vultures Eye cannot spy.
This may be fitly applied, to this our present State. Which thus was explained, That every pure motion is as the offspring of the Heavenly Being, and it from its first conception, a warm Birth-Nest must have, where nothing may disturb, scatter, or disperse it. Which will be in peril hereof, if placed in the highway Hedge, which does present the common thorough-fair of the Mind: The Nimrod-Hunters will certainly take, and root out every sublime Cogitation, before they are perfectly winged with Power to fly up to their Author.
Therefore wisely we are cautioned, Eagle-like to build on high, above the stature and reach of the Man of fallen Reason, whose arm will be too short, to reach those Holy Faith Conceptions, which are hatched on that high Cedar-Tree, which in Christ, who is the rich Ground of Lebanon, doth grow above all those Shrubs, and wild Plants of profuse imaginariness, that so hurtful are. Therefore evermore lodge your thoughts on high.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Introduction to the concept of Nest-Hunters
- The significance of building nests in safe places
- The metaphor of the Eagle and Vultures
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II
- The dangers of common thoroughfares for thoughts
- The role of pure motion as a divine offspring
- The importance of protecting sublime cogitations
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III
- The necessity of elevating one's thoughts
- The contrast between fallen reason and divine inspiration
- The call to lodge thoughts on high
Key Quotes
“Thus it will be while any build their Nest, where a common thorough-fair is, that is not raised above the stature of a Man.” — Jane Lead
“The Nimrod-Hunters will certainly take, and root out every sublime Cogitation, before they are perfectly winged with Power to fly up to their Author.” — Jane Lead
“Therefore evermore lodge your thoughts on high.” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- Regularly reflect on where you place your thoughts and inspirations.
- Seek to elevate your mindset above common distractions to nurture your spiritual growth.
- Be vigilant against negative influences that may disrupt your divine aspirations.