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 presence of pernicious spirits that seek to kill, destroy, bind, and afflict, but reassures that the Lord sends His angels to protect and prevent harm to those who are targeted. She emphasizes the importance of staying within the Circle-Light of God's protection, where the anointing oil shields against any poisonous attacks from dark forces. Jane Lead encourages a deep connection to the love of the Bridegroom, which empowers believers to uphold their vows and resist the schemes of darkness, ensuring that the enemy, Apollyon, cannot infiltrate their inner sanctuary.
February 17. 1678. the Interpretation of the Dream.
This Morning as I was considering of the former strange Creatures rising out of the Pit, which in the Magia was shewn me, and hereby was further given me to know, that these were most pernitious Spirits, raised up by some awakening Calls, from ireful revengeful Spirits, whether in Flesh or out, that might make appeals to divine Justice, all which are ready to kill, and destroy, to bind and afflict. But the Lord this day, hath shewn me, that he did send his Angels to stop all these in their way; so as they could have no Power to touch the Life, which they did combine against. And it was said to me, the last Beast that came with an open Mouth with a dark fume was in particular in great envy and rage, against the Life-Ministration opened in me, and would endeavour to cast forth his dark Venom, to cloud the Glory of it, and doth hereunto daily watch. Upon which I was cautioned by the Spirit, that we were evermore to keep, within the Circle-Light, where the Oyl of the Unction will be still dropping, against which no Poyson of this kind shall be hurtful. Then also this Word of direction was given for my Friend, that the Love that hath restrained these Powers of darkness, though through a Veil of blackness and temptation, yet the sense of the Bridegrooms espousal Love might evermore have a mighty force, and constraint to live up to every dedicated vow. For they now stand recorded in God's roll, and it will be our Joy for to perform them. So that the great Apollyon may have no Power to circumvent, or by any instrument to come into our inward Tent. Where let us take all advice and counsel only with the Spirit, then we shall still foresee all of Evil.
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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.