February 14. 1678. Winter Fruit.
The sermon describes a vision of a fruit tree in the winter season, representing spiritual growth and nourishment available to those who are willing to receive it.
Jane Lead shares a vision where she sees herself enclosed in a place with walls covered in trees bearing luscious fruit, guarded by an unknown man. Despite the value and preservation of the fruit, she desires to taste it. The keeper reveals the extraordinary nature of the fruit by transforming a bird into a delicious fruit for her to eat, symbolizing a deeper spiritual meaning awaiting interpretation.
Text
In the Night I had this Vision, I saw my Self enclosed in a place with Walls, and upon them there was Trees that had spread themselves, and were tacked to the Wall, as a Vine is. And there was such large pleasant Fruit upon it that I did much admire, because of the present Winter-Season. But they were so Luscious, that I did much desire to taste of them, for it was of such a kind, as I had not formerly seen, nor known. Now there was a Man set to keep this Place and Fruit, and he was unknown to me, so that I could not tell how to entrust my self in him, but walked up and down by the Wall, but could no ask for any.
For I did believe they were of great value; and were preserved by a great art, as I understood by him, ever since the Summers growth, and reserved fresh and fresh to be plucked for them, to whom they did belong. But the Keeper seeing me so eye the Fruit, he told me these Fruits were of a strange and wonderful Nature, and were beyond what I could imagine them to be. So he took two Flig Birds, that were Nestled in the Tree, and cut them in the midst, and gave one of them to me, and when I had it, being hot and Bloody, as I had it in my Hand, it changed it self into such a fair Luscious Fruit, as I did see upon the Tree, and I did eat thereof, and it was very pleasant. The other Bird, he told me was reserved for another.
But before I did see who it was, I came out of the Vision.
[The interpretation of this Vision was given by the Spirit twelve Days after; being very considerable, which see in its Place, February 26.]
Sermon Outline
- The Vision of the Fruit
- Seeing the fruit on the wall
- Desiring to taste the fruit
- The keeper's warning and explanation
Key Quotes
“The Fruits were of a strange and wonderful Nature, and were beyond what I could imagine them to be.” — Jane Lead
“And when I had it, being hot and Bloody, as I had it in my Hand, it changed it self into such a fair Luscious Fruit, as I did see upon the Tree,” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- We can experience spiritual growth and nourishment even in difficult times, such as the winter season.
- We must be willing to receive spiritual gifts and blessings, even if they are unfamiliar or unexpected.
- We should trust in the keeper of our souls, who has our best interests at heart and wants to provide for us.