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 emphasizes the importance of maintaining uninterrupted, pure conversation with God, highlighting the need to observe specific times and seasons for this purpose. Drawing parallels to the Mosaic priests who wore distinct garments for approaching God, she stresses the necessity of putting on a spiritual habit of righteousness, symbolized by the white linen Ephod, to be sanctified and draw near to God as true worshippers. Lead reveals that through Christ, the great High Priest, the everlasting testimony within the heavenly Ark and Tabernacle will be unveiled to those adorned in spiritual purity, reserved for those consecrated for this divine purpose.
August 13. 1678. the True Priestly Habit.
This Morning it was revealed unto me, by way of Conference with the Anointing, that it was absolutely necessary to decline all whatever would interrupt, pure Conversation with God. And this Word in express was, That Times and Seasons should be observed hereunto. And as the Priests under that Mosaical dispensation, never undertook to perform any thing of Spiritual Worship, relating to God, but they put on outward Habits for distinction and Consecration, for their drawing near to God more peculiarly: So it was warned me never to approach near to God, without such a Spiritual Habit as it may be said, that we are Sanctified through the putting on of the Lord Christ, as our white Linnen Ephod; which signifies perfect Righteousness, that thereby we may answer the requirings of the most Holy God, who will be Sanctified by those, who are his true Worshippers. Who must act, and perform all from the Spirit, so adorned and separated from every Pollluted thing. And then the Lord by his Spirit doth affirm, That the everlasting Testimony within the Ark and Holy Tabernacle, that now are concealed within the Heavens, shall be revealed, and given out by the hands of Christ, our great and most Holy High-Priest, when being found thus in his own Spiritual Garb, will meet us most frequently, and make known such Secrets, as are not to be committed to any, but such as are hallowed Vessels, set a part only for this very use.
- 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.