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.
Download
Topic
Sermon Summary
Jane Lead delves into the spiritual realm, discussing the hindrances that prevent the rise of the life-flame on the altar of God, attributing it to natural causes, worldly influences, and the opposition of the enemy. She emphasizes the importance of nurturing the spiritual fire within, guarding against distractions and cares of the world that can hinder its manifestation. Lead encourages believers to be vigilant in protecting and nurturing the heavenly fire within them, likening it to a tender plant that needs constant care and nourishment from the Word of Life.
January 12. 1678. a Caution About Preserving the Fire of the Altar.
Waiting deeply and internally in my Mind about, and upon a Spiritual case I pleaded with my God, why such cold Floods should happen upon the Altar-Fire to keep the Life-flame from rising, to such who still would make their Offerings by Fire. By earnest inquiring into this Spiritual matter; it was evidently shewn me, that there was something of a natural cause, and somewhat from this World, that had its choking care to throw in, and thirdly the watchful and revengeful Eye of the Dragon, who hath always greatly withstood the going forward and accomplishment of the Kingdom of Power and Love: which the Nazarite mind is pursuing after, and the Spirit strongly moving and pressing thereunto, but the Flaming Wheel meeting with these stops, goeth on but heavily. Now direction was sought for in this case from him, who does so naturally own his in this afflicted Principle, who are fixed to follow hard after perfection. To whom this Counsel was given, first that Wise Judicious care should be taken to cherish the natural and animal Spirits, for by reason of Age, there would aptly be a declining of the Heart-Vigour, whence that spring of Heavenly Fire did open, and through obstruction from frail weak Nature, the operation of this Coelestial Flame may be hindered from displaying forth itself? Then if the distractive Cares, and thoughtfulness about these outward Worldly things comes in, they do and will exceedingly press, and bind this Spirit Flame, and will dwell upon the very Mouth of the Central Fire-Life? Then the subtil Serpent finds his inroad made, and augments the weight with great fury and rage. Therefore by all this the Holy One hath given to us this caution, that we should be choice of this Fire-spring to keep all out, all that would extinguish it. It is as a tender Plant, that requireth continual care to nurse it up, and to feed it with the Word of Life, that does go forth from the instilling Breath of the Holy Unction. This only must drive forth its heat again, and thereby raise up that which lies as Dead and Slain.
- Bio
- Summary
- Transcript
- Download
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.