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 spiritual battles faced with the rational mind and will trying to shake confidence, but finding strength in the everlasting Arm of God to bear all burdens and overcome the adversary's tactics. She shares a vision of being pursued by fierce men but ultimately escaping unharmed, symbolizing the constant besetments believers will encounter. Jane emphasizes the importance of being watchful, feeding on spiritual nourishment to resist the enemy's venom, and relying on the heavenly antidote to counteract the poison of the evil one.
August 14. 1678. Coelestial Nitre: Or, the Antidote in Persecution.
This Night after some Contest with the rational Mind and Will, which did set hard upon me to shatter, and unfix my Confidence, because the Yoak was strait upon me, and the burthens heavy, and the grand Adversary had every way consider'd, how to add more grinding weights to bow me down: I found the everlasting Arm was under to bear us through all. And it is clearly shewn me, the same Almightiness will ransom me out of the Hand of the Violent, that would take me by force. In which pursuit I saw my self Chased up and down by two Men, that were fierce, striving to have me, and when they did meet together to encompass me, they had no Power to take or hurt me, but I escaped from them. Whereby I was shewn the hard besetments, which I should still have. For it was said to me, That a set time was given to Satan, to try all ways and means to prevent and make void the Birth, that was Heir to the Blessing. And therefore he is all Vigilant to make use of his time, which hath a period set. And if he can within the limits hereof dispol, kill, or make waste by invading the Holy Place, he hath liberty, and may make great Spoil and Ruin. If not resisted by all the Force and Might, that the Eternal Spirit can call in to make the Heavenly Michael its Friend, else no possibility to hold out such pursuits. Therefore the Word cryed in me, "Be ever watchful, and feed upon the white Salt-Stone, that may keep from the Serpent's Venom. It is given for a healing Medicine. Thy Life is in it. Therefore attract this Coelestial Nitre, as the only Antidote to keep from the Earthy Poyson, that the evil One hath prepared."
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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.