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.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
Jane Lead preaches about the transformation of believers into a new creation through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, emphasizing the need to let go of earthly desires and embrace a spiritual rebirth that aligns with God's will. She highlights the importance of cherishing the birth of love within us, which leads to a higher spiritual dignity and a renewal of nature into wisdom and perfection. Lead also discusses the concept of universal blessing rooted in the deep original ground of the soul, where God-like signatures are imprinted for the manifestation of God's essence in believers' lives.
April 16. 1678. the Essential Matter of the Universal Blessing.
This considerable Word passed through me, as I was longing, and in an eager pursuit to find God, and to loose that which was not capable of such unconceivable Purity and Glory, abiding in this Mortal frame, which is compacted together of sensitive parts. Now it was cryed in my hearing, What can retain God? Noting, verily but the New Heavens framed in Man's Nature, all Spiritual, descending from the Eternal Element, for congealing such a Body, as the high Spirit of Eternity may move free, in supernatural faculties: for no such Schism is to be in the Body of God. This is that wonderful Creation, that Jesus Christ will work forth, through the Holy Ghost, in those, who would ever live in God, and forget the earthly self. Now then we are Counselled to cherish that rising Birth of Love, that would reach, and bring us to this Principal-Dignity. The Spirit did also further shew, that in this New Model the Essential Ground of Universal Blessing is existing: for what else can Bless till leavened it be, all through with the rich spice of the Deity, for a thorough Change in every property of the Soul. This is that, which must renew Nature, into its Primeral Beauty of Wisdom and Perfection. Nothing can do it, but what open is from the deep Original-Ground, from whence Spirits are generated in Angelical figures, for the bearing a very God-like Signature. This is the Essential matter and substance, of the High blessing. This is the substance of the most High blessing, which we are directed to, as the root of all Eternal matter: from whence the Tree of fruitful Blessings, in all their distinct and various operations, doth successively act forth. For the bundle of Life, and the Treasures out of Wisdom's Ocean, may be commandable, when God in any one shall introduce this high Nature, and so in pure Essences. That which may work through every part, for the over-cloathing it with excellency of Spirit, as with its covering. Which the Lord will grace the Birth of Love withal: For the revenue of Love's Blessing will come then into our own Hands, that we shall have the Power of disposal. As the Father did commit all Power to the Son, who through suffering had learned Obedience: so we being found after his Example, may derive such high credit from our Lord Jesus, as to be found Incorporated, and Dignified in the very Life-Essence of this our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.