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 transformative power of the eternal Morning Light breaking through the darkness of our minds, conceiving pure life within us. She shares a personal revelation about invoking the celestial dew to renew and restore youth and strength, overcoming fears and concerns through earnest faith and prayer. Jane encourages the congregation to strive together in prayer to stir up divine power, gaining dominion over adversities and conspiracies.
January 28. 1678. the Womb of the Morning, and the Dew of Youth.
This Word was opened to me. From the Womb of the Morning, thou hast the Dew of thy Youth. The Morning signifieth the Day breaking away from the Night, and so becomes a clear and distinct Light without Clouds, the everlasting Sun rising for to disperse all. Now this was shewn me to be that Light, which breaks through the darkness of our Minds, and becomes as an enclosed Womb, where the pure Life is conceived. For the Dew of this Morning-break makes it spring, as a tender Herb in a fresh and youthful Power. And upon some occasion of fear, and concern, that was upon me for the Doctor, as to this visible Body declining through Age, and a spending pernicious Cough, that I saw inwardly might impair his Strength, and thereby stop the Spring of Coelestial Fire. All which evil consequences I feared might him devour. This was made applicable to him, that from this eternal Morning-Womb his youth might spring and renew again, through the distilling Dew, falling from the Coelestial Element. Though his outward Life did seem to be breaking away, yet through earnest Faith and Prayer, this healing and recovering Dew may be brought down for his repair, and overthrow the malignity of the Stars. Therefore strive together in Prayer, till ye do stir up both Fire and Air, that ye may have Dominion over all conspiracies in divine Power.
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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.