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 formation of a visible body, likened to a fine, clear image of a man created by the Potter, but lacking life until the breath of life enters. She emphasizes that even the most beautiful heavenly form is like a mere picture without actual life, unable to serve God or man. The sermon delves into the deep realization of a fine creation needing a vigorous life to be truly useful, culminating in the imagery of life entering every part, starting with the eyes and spreading throughout the body in full activity. Additionally, there are revelations about the outward state of the political body in the nation, symbolizing a flame designated to be partially extinguished to showcase the justice and mercy of God's supreme Majesty for the advancement of His righteous and peaceable kingdom.
October 8. 1678. Formation and Animation
There was presented the Formation of a visible Body, as out of fine mixed Matter, thin and clear, and every Member formed as the Potter pleased. So the Figure of a Man was thus modellized before my Eye, in all Comeliness; no one part defective: But there was no Life. And I was call'd upon to take notice of this Image, that was so fair and comely, but there wanted a moving Life to act it. And it was said to me, dost thou see this fair Portraid Image. Which shews, what the new Created Being is, as in a Figure transfer'd: but what can this do, till Breath of Life doth enter in? Then discoursed the Spirit further this Matter with me; declaring this was to shew me, that the most Beautiful Form, and shew of a Heavenly compact before was but as a Picture, that only did attract Speculation, but for want of an actual Life, it could no way be serviceable, either upon God's or Man's account. The sense of this entered very deep into me, that so fine a piece should want a vigorous Life. But I was exhorted to be quiet, and sit a while, and I should see Life would move. Which accordingly came into every part, the Eye first moved, then motion throughout-stretched the Arms, and Feet, walking to and fro in all activity. [The next Day some things were shewn, relating to the outward State of the Political Body, in this Nation, that was designated to be set in a Flame. Which Flame was in part, but not totally, to be extinguished: that both the Justice and Mercy of the supream Majesty might the better appear. Which it cannot but do to as many as have Eyes to see what GOD is now doing, and about to do, in the Kingdoms of the Earth, (and in this of England especially) for the advancement of the Righteous, and Peaceable Kingdom of his Son.]October 11. 1678.
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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.