March 16. 1678. the Man of the Earth.
The sermon emphasizes the importance of focusing on our spiritual purpose, employing our power to overcome evil, and bowing to God's authority.
Jane Lead preaches about the importance of focusing on our heavenly calling and being good stewards of the gifts and resources entrusted to us by God. She emphasizes the need to resist the temptations and distractions of the world and to exercise our spiritual authority to overcome the schemes of the enemy in our inner lives. Jane Lead also shares a vision of a man representing earthly desires bowing before those who have mastery over them, indicating the power we have to subdue and control our fleshly desires through the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Text
This Morning I had several Advertisements from the Holy Watcher over me. As first this, Be all intent upon your Heavenly Vocation. Give to God, what encrease cometh of his own State-Life entrusted with you. As this World appropriateth to it self, vain Perishing and evil things, so know, your God does expect improvement, and the return of his Principal again. Then great Caution I further had to keep all Rule and Authority over that invisible World within. For it was given me to know, that there was a Head-Power great and mighty in the Soul-Region, to repel and keep down, what the Dragon and Beast would do to make Mutiny and Riot, according to the unregenerated State.
And therefore we are to employ our Power, which we have from the Superiour Light (which doth see all of Sin-defect) to suppress and root out, that God's Peace may only be left for a Garrison to keep all Treachery of Spirits out.
Then after this, I had a Representation of a Man, that came very near me, in a plain Husband's Garb, and looked very earnestly on me, and Bowed several times to me, but spake no Word. After which disappearing, I enquired into it, and it was spoken unto me in a Powerful Voice, Thus shall the Man of the Earth bow unto thee, as thou dost keep him under. More of which shall be opened, as thy inward Spirit shall dive, where the Treasures hath lain in hidden Darkness.
Sermon Outline
- Be all intent upon your Heavenly Vocation
- Keep all Rule and Authority over the invisible World within
- Bow to God's authority and keep His Peace
- Give to God what increase comes of His own State-Life entrusted with you
- Expect improvement and the return of His Principal again
- Recognize the Head-Power in the Soul-Region
- Employ your Power to suppress and root out evil
Key Quotes
“Thus shall the Man of the Earth bow unto thee, as thou dost keep him under.” — Jane Lead
“Be all intent upon your Heavenly Vocation.” — Jane Lead
“Give to God, what encrease cometh of his own State-Life entrusted with you.” — Jane Lead
Application Points
- Make a conscious effort to focus on your spiritual purpose and give God the increase that comes from His own life entrusted to you.
- Recognize the power of God within you and use it to overcome evil influences.
- Submit to God's rule and keep His peace in your life by bowing to His authority.