February 16. 1678. the Three Unclean Creatures. a Dream.
The sermon warns of spiritual enemies that seek to harm the Lord's people and calls for spiritual vigilance and faith to resist their attacks.
Jane Lead preaches about encountering strange and symbolic creatures in a deep hole, representing spiritual battles and forces of darkness that seek to harm believers. She emphasizes the importance of watching, praying, and using faith to overcome these malevolent entities that conspire against the faithful. The advice given is to stand guard in the pure Spirit, fortified by faith, to successfully bind these dark forces and protect the Lord's chosen ones from harm.
Text
I saw in the Night-Vision a deep Hole in the Earth, as I was walking with a Friend in an open place, which I drew near unto, and there did come out a strange kind of Creature, which I could not know what to liken it to. It had a Head like a Frog with Wings and a long Tail, and it did fly past me to the Person that was with me; but it was driven back, and it went into its Hole, that seemed to be bottomless. Then came out another kind, like to what a Cockatrice is described to be, at which I was put into some disturbance, and withdrew from the place to my Friend, and it followed a little way, but was driven back with a strong Gale to its own place.
Then did rise out another creeping Creature, that was Speckled, and with its Mouth open, from whence went forth a dark Smoke.
These three sorts were all obvious to my Sight: And there was this advice given me, saying, Watch these into their Den, as they do return, and then by Faith, and earnest Prayer bind them down. For they have been in confederacy, to take away the Life of the Lord's own Turtle Mourning-Mate, that hath been in Tribulation. It was also Counselled me, we now henceforth do take care to stand upon our Guard in the Life of the pure Spirit, and in the fortitude and strength of Faith, and then we should be able to bind down all of this kind.
Sermon Outline
- The Vision of the Three Unclean Creatures points: - Description of the first creature, a flying creature with frog-like head and long tail - Description of the second creature, a cockatrice-like creature
- The Disturbance Caused by the Creatures points: - The disturbance caused by the second creature - The withdrawal from the place to safety
- The Third Creature and the Counsel points: - Description of the third creature, a speckled creature with dark smoke - The advice to bind down the creatures by faith and prayer
Key Quotes
“Watch these into their Den, as they do return, and then by Faith, and earnest Prayer bind them down.” — Jane Lead
“For they have been in confederacy, to take away the Life of the Lord's own Turtle Mourning-Mate, that hath been in Tribulation.” — Jane Lead
“we now henceforth do take care to stand upon our Guard in the Life of the pure Spirit, and in the fortitude and strength of Faith” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- We must stand strong in faith and the fortitude of the Spirit to resist the attacks of spiritual enemies.
- We must be vigilant and watchful for signs of spiritual harm and take action to bind down these enemies.
- We must prioritize our relationship with the Lord and His people, and protect them from spiritual harm.