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 encountering strange and symbolic creatures in a deep hole, representing spiritual battles and forces of darkness that seek to harm believers. She emphasizes the importance of watching, praying, and using faith to overcome these malevolent entities that conspire against the faithful. The advice given is to stand guard in the pure Spirit, fortified by faith, to successfully bind these dark forces and protect the Lord's chosen ones from harm.
February 16. 1678. the Three Unclean Creatures. a Dream.
I saw in the Night-Vision a deep Hole in the Earth, as I was walking with a Friend in an open place, which I drew near unto, and there did come out a strange kind of Creature, which I could not know what to liken it to. It had a Head like a Frog with Wings and a long Tail, and it did fly past me to the Person that was with me; but it was driven back, and it went into its Hole, that seemed to be bottomless. Then came out another kind, like to what a Cockatrice is described to be, at which I was put into some disturbance, and withdrew from the place to my Friend, and it followed a little way, but was driven back with a strong Gale to its own place. Then did rise out another creeping Creature, that was Speckled, and with its Mouth open, from whence went forth a dark Smoke. These three sorts were all obvious to my Sight: And there was this advice given me, saying, Watch these into their Den, as they do return, and then by Faith, and earnest Prayer bind them down. For they have been in confederacy, to take away the Life of the Lord's own Turtle Mourning-Mate, that hath been in Tribulation. It was also Counselled me, we now henceforth do take care to stand upon our Guard in the Life of the pure Spirit, and in the fortitude and strength of Faith, and then we should be able to bind down all of this kind.
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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.