Jane Lead
Jane Lead (March 1624 – August 19, 1704) was an Christian mystic whose calling from God inspired a visionary ministry that shaped the Philadelphian Society, proclaiming divine wisdom and spiritual renewal across the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Born Jane Ward in Letheringsett, Norfolk, England, to Hamond Ward, a prosperous gentleman, and Mary Calthorpe, she was the youngest of twelve children in a well-off family, baptized on March 9, 1624. Her education was informal, shaped by a comfortable upbringing and personal spiritual experiences rather than formal theological training, culminating in a transformative moment at age 15 during a 1639 Christmas dance when a heavenly voice declared, “Cease from this, I have another dance to lead thee in.” Lead’s calling from God unfolded after marrying William Lead, a merchant, in 1644, living happily with him and their four daughters in King’s Lynn until his death in 1671 left her penniless in London. That year, a vision of the Virgin Sophia—divine wisdom personified—called her a “Bride of Christ,” igniting her ministry of recording divine revelations. Ordained informally by her mystical experiences, she preached through writings and leadership, joining John Pordage’s Behmenist group in 1668 and assuming its helm after his 1681 death, renaming it the Philadelphian Society in 1694. Her sermons, preserved in works like A Fountain of Gardens (1696–1701) and The Revelation of Revelations (1683), called for a universal restoration through the Inner Light, influencing Quakers and Pietists despite opposition from Anglican authorities. Widowed, with no further marriages, she passed away at age 80 in London, leaving a legacy of mystical preaching that echoed beyond her time.
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Jane Lead preaches about the manifestation of God's power and wisdom through the Holy Spirit, transforming the hearts of believers to be the throne of the Lamb. She emphasizes the need to surrender to the Spirit's leading, allowing God's sufficiency to flow as required, and anticipating the reign of the Omnipotent King over all earthly powers. Lead encourages fervent prayer inspired by the Spirit, leading to a continuous experience of God's power and presence.
June 8. 1678. the Seat of the Beast Became the Throne of the Lamb.
This Morning I was deeply encircled and covered over, as with a Fiery Cloud in the Center of my Heart, whereout a Voice did Sound. Here is Wisdom's Root: Light and Revelation is her Off-spring. Therefore be not thoughtful to say, how shall that, which is the Seat of the Beast, become the Throne of the Lamb, to Reign evermore? Know thou the Power will be also Antecedent, to accomplish what is seen in the Glass of the Spirit. God's all sufficiency giving out, as occasion does require. For the Holy Spirit, (that is Christ’s Agent) will renew and fetch in more force, as Batteries and Assaults are made, For the Omnipotent King is coming to Reign over all, and neither Flesh, Beast, nor Dragon shall him detain. This Day at our Meeting the Breath of the Power did mightily stir, and there was a Transient appearance of a Circle-Cloud, in which a Flame, and a white Mist went up from it, which was confirmed to be the acceptable Incense. Which through the Spirit's intercession did open. Oh, it is good to Pray, as the Spirit inspires, and to ascend in the Spirit's own kindled Flame, and to watch the same at ever Spring-tide of Power opening.
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Jane Lead (March 1624 – August 19, 1704) was an Christian mystic whose calling from God inspired a visionary ministry that shaped the Philadelphian Society, proclaiming divine wisdom and spiritual renewal across the late 17th and early 18th centuries. Born Jane Ward in Letheringsett, Norfolk, England, to Hamond Ward, a prosperous gentleman, and Mary Calthorpe, she was the youngest of twelve children in a well-off family, baptized on March 9, 1624. Her education was informal, shaped by a comfortable upbringing and personal spiritual experiences rather than formal theological training, culminating in a transformative moment at age 15 during a 1639 Christmas dance when a heavenly voice declared, “Cease from this, I have another dance to lead thee in.” Lead’s calling from God unfolded after marrying William Lead, a merchant, in 1644, living happily with him and their four daughters in King’s Lynn until his death in 1671 left her penniless in London. That year, a vision of the Virgin Sophia—divine wisdom personified—called her a “Bride of Christ,” igniting her ministry of recording divine revelations. Ordained informally by her mystical experiences, she preached through writings and leadership, joining John Pordage’s Behmenist group in 1668 and assuming its helm after his 1681 death, renaming it the Philadelphian Society in 1694. Her sermons, preserved in works like A Fountain of Gardens (1696–1701) and The Revelation of Revelations (1683), called for a universal restoration through the Inner Light, influencing Quakers and Pietists despite opposition from Anglican authorities. Widowed, with no further marriages, she passed away at age 80 in London, leaving a legacy of mystical preaching that echoed beyond her time.