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 importance of wisely using our time to seek favor with God, emphasizing the need for a solid testimony within us before the sudden and dreadful day arrives. She urges the congregation to seek refuge in the Watch-Tower where the Holy One is near. A vision of a hand holding a beautiful streaming banner, resembling a covering tent with colors of flame, is shown as a symbol of protection from impending danger. The message is clear: hasten into the Shepherd's Tent to avoid the coming threats of destruction, finding safety and peace within God's covering.
March 1. 1678. the Flaming Tent. a Vision.
Gathering up my Spirit to hear, what would be ministred from out of the Holy Place, this Word came saying, Blessed are those, who shall wisely improve all time, for the getting into favour with God, their Creator; For now all need there will be for a sure Testimony hereof, to have it seated within them, before the Dreadful day overtake them, which as a Thief in the Night will suddainly come: Therefore fly to our Watch-Tower, where the Holy One will be found nigh. Then after this, there appeared a Hand and Arm stretched out, holding an incompassing fine streaming Banner. Which at first was as a Curtain folded: then it opened and out-spread it self, as a covering Tent, it looked like the blew Element, with streaks of Flame Colours. This I saw to great admiration: and there followed this very Cry, saying, Haste away into this your Shepherd's Tent; for it is a time, when terrible Beasts of prey will be let out. But under this covering nothing of Fury or Destruction shall come, therefore always abide in God your Tent, and go not forth upon your Peril.
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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.