August 13. 1678. the True Priestly Habit.
Jane Lead's sermon emphasizes the necessity of spiritual preparation and righteousness for true worship of God.
Jane Lead emphasizes the importance of maintaining uninterrupted, pure conversation with God, highlighting the need to observe specific times and seasons for this purpose. Drawing parallels to the Mosaic priests who wore distinct garments for approaching God, she stresses the necessity of putting on a spiritual habit of righteousness, symbolized by the white linen Ephod, to be sanctified and draw near to God as true worshippers. Lead reveals that through Christ, the great High Priest, the everlasting testimony within the heavenly Ark and Tabernacle will be unveiled to those adorned in spiritual purity, reserved for those consecrated for this divine purpose.
Text
This Morning it was revealed unto me, by way of Conference with the Anointing, that it was absolutely necessary to decline all whatever would interrupt, pure Conversation with God. And this Word in express was, That Times and Seasons should be observed hereunto.
And as the Priests under that Mosaical dispensation, never undertook to perform any thing of Spiritual Worship, relating to God, but they put on outward Habits for distinction and Consecration, for their drawing near to God more peculiarly: So it was warned me never to approach near to God, without such a Spiritual Habit as it may be said, that we are Sanctified through the putting on of the Lord Christ, as our white Linnen Ephod; which signifies perfect Righteousness, that thereby we may answer the requirings of the most Holy God, who will be Sanctified by those, who are his true Worshippers. Who must act, and perform all from the Spirit, so adorned and separated from every Pollluted thing.
And then the Lord by his Spirit doth affirm, That the everlasting Testimony within the Ark and Holy Tabernacle, that now are concealed within the Heavens, shall be revealed, and given out by the hands of Christ, our great and most Holy High-Priest, when being found thus in his own Spiritual Garb, will meet us most frequently, and make known such Secrets, as are not to be committed to any, but such as are hallowed Vessels, set a part only for this very use.
Sermon Outline
- I points: - Importance of pure conversation with God - Observing times and seasons for spiritual growth
- II points: - Role of priests in the Mosaical dispensation - Significance of outward habits for spiritual worship
- III points: - Sanctification through Christ's righteousness - Requirements for true worshippers
- IV points: - The Spirit's role in worship - Revelation of divine secrets to hallowed vessels
Key Quotes
“It was absolutely necessary to decline all whatever would interrupt, pure Conversation with God.” — Jane Lead
“We may answer the requirings of the most Holy God, who will be Sanctified by those, who are his true Worshippers.” — Jane Lead
“The everlasting Testimony within the Ark and Holy Tabernacle... shall be revealed, and given out by the hands of Christ.” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- Prioritize your relationship with God by eliminating distractions.
- Embrace the righteousness of Christ as essential for your spiritual journey.
- Seek to be a hallowed vessel, ready to receive God's revelations.