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 delves into a vision where she contemplates the approaching Day of God, a time of great turmoil and divine judgment. She seeks to understand how to secure the physical bodies that are vulnerable to destruction during this period of chaos. Through a mystical experience involving a key fashioned with golden liquid by an angelic figure, she learns that only those chosen by God can unlock His deep and immense heart of love. This key, intricately designed and unique, is essential for navigating the challenges of the future and accessing divine treasures to combat evil forces.
November 13. 1678. the Angelical Key.
AS the Spiritual Exercise of my Mind was consulting upon the now approaching Day of God, which will be so terrible to Flesh. I cryed O my Lord, who shall live in this Day, when thou shalt contend with all Nations, and pour out Indignation? What can secure these Bodies at such a time, that are Obnoxious to the common slaughter? My Mind being deeply plunged herein, that it was now all needful to know, what might be trusted to, where all things were like to be in Confusion, as to the visible Forms of things, throughout the whole Creation. The Heavenly wise will consider all this, and lay it up in their Hearts, from those Warning-peals, that are rung in our Ears. And truly the Morning-watch is set, and doth make discovery, that the spoiler and breaker of Nations, will make way for Christ's Kingdom, the fore-running Violence must be suffered. But this Word came to me, Be not ye hereat dismayed, whose Lives are growing out of the Vine-root, ye shall still spread out in Fruitfulness within the unknown Walls, wherein you shall walk without fear. After this entire Conference, and Night-repose, I had the Representation of a Mold, that was fashioned for a Key, and there was a Liquour of Gold colour poured upon it. And it was of the same impression, that I saw the Mold of, it was very clear and curiously Wrought, that you might see through, as if it had been Glass. Then was it in the Hand of one in an Angelical form, who poured the Liquor, that gave the form of the Key, and spake. This is such Key, as hath not been entrusted with any, but him, who has been the former and fashioner of it, who only knows the use thereof, and has the Donation thereof to give. No Key, but what is of this make can unlock the Gate of God's deep and immense Heart of Love. The Wards are so fine, and intrinsically wrought, that the Key must answer in every winding hereunto. No imitated or counterfeited Key can turn in this threefold Spring-Lock. Then I hereupon made Supplication, for to receive this Key to open God's Heart withal. And it was answered me, This was but to shew me, that after this manner, and kind, there is a Key to be cast, within the secret of thy dwelling, for its appointed use. Then was it further opened unto me, that all of the Heavenly matter was to be separated, in a way of high extraction by the Coelestial Fire, and the Mold cast and formed a new by the Finger of God, and the Spirits Liquor to be pured forth. And this is the Gift of this mighty Key, that should open, and bring forth that of God, which never yet was manifested, since the Earth was. The Spirit said, the Knowledge was reserved, till the Mold in Nature should be wrought. But it was assured me, that the Mold was already cast in some, known to the Lord: And that the pure matter was upon its Separation. Which when refined enough, this Mystical Key would soon be run. For there would come such a Time and Age, as would be so hurtful, as nothing but this opening Key can secure out of Wicked Hands. For it is shewn me, very obviously, that a chosen Generation there will be reserved, to be wrought out, for to do actual Wonders, to save and deliver from the Serpently Seed, which have grown as unsavory Weeds, over the whole Face of the Earth. Therefore let us try in that method-deep, that may enter us great Magicians to form this Key. This will be all-worthy to advance and bring in vast Treasures, with which we may be profitable to those, for whom the Lord shall hereby unlock his Deity. [This Vision is a more distinct Revival of a former one, that was given several Years before, and is already Published in the First Volume of this Diary, pag. 22 Entitled, The Key of the Great Mystery. Which ought therefore to be compared with this.]
- 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.