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 describes a vision of a house that appears ordinary on the outside but is actually a place of refuge from a coming storm and destruction for those under eternal shelter. She sees creatures hungry for prey and a company in red attire, but they have no power over her as they are appointed elsewhere. Inside the house, she witnesses a refining process where only those who can pass through the burning furnace without harm will be purified for the refiner's use.
July 29. 1678. the Refining House.
In the Morning I had the Figure of an House shewn me, that was but Plaistered over in the outside, and it was assigned for me, and such as did seek hiding from a tempest and overflowing Scourge; that would certainly come to devour much Flesh, who were not found under the Eternal shelter. And for the confirmation of this, I did immediately see in a Vision, a Regiment of Creatures rise, that looked Thin, Ravenous, and Hungry to get Prey. And after this arose a strong and fierce Company, cloathed in red Soldiers habit, they were very mute looking upon me, and I on them, but they had no Force or Power to harm me, for they were appointed to make spoil far away from the Place, where I was. This last Company seemed to be of some other Nation, differing in Looks and Habits from the English. I found my Spirit rise against them, and I did haste away to the Plaistered House, which within was all inlaid with Gold that shined, and in the Midst there rose a burning Flame. And one did set there in a pure white Garment, to cast in all rough and unpolished Grains of Gold: and all sorts of Mettals were to be tried and separated for the use of him, who was the refiner. And I heard him who was in White say, Here is no hiding, but for those, who can pass through this burning Furnace, as Spirits transparensed from the courser Grain, that can endure this Flame, and sustain no loss.
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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.