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 struggles of waiting for the expected salvation and the soul-sickness that comes with the deferred hope of freedom from captivity. She emphasizes the need to rely solely on God for spiritual healing and restoration, as no creature can provide true release. Despite experiencing low points and spiritual ebbs, she encourages turning to the Living Rock of Ages for revival and sustenance, drawing strength from the Word of Life to overcome fainting moments. Jane Lead reminds believers to patiently pursue the hidden Pearl of the Kingdom, as the Lord promises double peace and joy to those who persevere in their pilgrimage.
August 12. 1678. What Cometh Late Cometh Double.
THE Dove-Mourning-State, is attended with Sorrows daily meeting upon me: because the expected Salvation is still deferred, looking for the coming of that Kingdom, that will release from all Captivity. The detaining of which, puts me into a real Soul-sickness oftentimes, which brings me low in my Spiritual Nature. Which no one sees or knows; for it is all invisible. No Creature can minister in this case any release, God alone must be all herein for raising. Therefore we are taught only to repair to this Living, Healing Rock of Ages. And truly, thus far I have experienced in low Ebbs, when scarce any Life-Water hath run, which hath occasioned Spirit-failing in me, then suddenly a reviving hath come from the Word of Life, that hath raised up again. Which brings to remembrance that Word of David, How hath the Lord quickned me, who had fainted, if I had not believed to see it made good, though for a time prolonged. Yet the Spirit as a flowing Stream, doth come in for healing. And this Word was given in for to sustain the weary inward Mind. The Lord that doth number the Days and Years, of your sorrowing Pilgrimage, shall certainly return Double Peace and Joy. Therefore in patience run the Race, that is prefixed. For the everlasting Counsellors will not forsake those, who do pursue the most hidden Pearl of the Kingdom. Therefore follow it on most eagerly, considering who it is that will be for you in the greatest of Adversities.
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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.