August 12. 1678. What Cometh Late Cometh Double.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of patience and trust in God's promise to return double peace and joy, even in the midst of spiritual sorrow and adversity.
Jane Lead preaches about the struggles of waiting for the expected salvation and the soul-sickness that comes with the deferred hope of freedom from captivity. She emphasizes the need to rely solely on God for spiritual healing and restoration, as no creature can provide true release. Despite experiencing low points and spiritual ebbs, she encourages turning to the Living Rock of Ages for revival and sustenance, drawing strength from the Word of Life to overcome fainting moments. Jane Lead reminds believers to patiently pursue the hidden Pearl of the Kingdom, as the Lord promises double peace and joy to those who persevere in their pilgrimage.
Text
THE Dove-Mourning-State, is attended with Sorrows daily meeting upon me: because the expected Salvation is still deferred, looking for the coming of that Kingdom, that will release from all Captivity. The detaining of which, puts me into a real Soul-sickness oftentimes, which brings me low in my Spiritual Nature. Which no one sees or knows; for it is all invisible. No Creature can minister in this case any release, God alone must be all herein for raising. Therefore we are taught only to repair to this Living, Healing Rock of Ages.
And truly, thus far I have experienced in low Ebbs, when scarce any Life-Water hath run, which hath occasioned Spirit-failing in me, then suddenly a reviving hath come from the Word of Life, that hath raised up again.
Which brings to remembrance that Word of David, How hath the Lord quickned me, who had fainted, if I had not believed to see it made good, though for a time prolonged. Yet the Spirit as a flowing Stream, doth come in for healing. And this Word was given in for to sustain the weary inward Mind. The Lord that doth number the Days and Years, of your sorrowing Pilgrimage, shall certainly return Double Peace and Joy. Therefore in patience run the Race, that is prefixed.
For the everlasting Counsellors will not forsake those, who do pursue the most hidden Pearl of the Kingdom. Therefore follow it on most eagerly, considering who it is that will be for you in the greatest of Adversities.
Sermon Outline
- The Dove-Mourning-State
- Spiritual Nature Affected
- Repair to the Living Rock of Ages
- Patience in the Face of Adversity
- The Lord will return double peace and joy
- Follow the hidden Pearl of the Kingdom
Key Quotes
“The Lord that doth number the Days and Years, of your sorrowing Pilgrimage, shall certainly return Double Peace and Joy.” — Jane Lead
“The Word of Life brings to remembrance that Word of David, How hath the Lord quickned me, who had fainted, if I had not believed to see it made good, though for a time prolonged.” — Jane Lead
“Therefore follow it on most eagerly, considering who it is that will be for you in the greatest of Adversities.” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- We should repair to the Living Rock of Ages, God, in times of spiritual sorrow and need.
- Patience is essential in the face of adversity, as it allows us to trust in God's promise to return double peace and joy.
- We should follow the hidden Pearl of the Kingdom, the spiritual treasure of knowing and following God, eagerly, even in the midst of adversity.