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 beginning of the great and notable Day of the Lord, warning that all nations will rise against Christ but will ultimately wear away like grass. She urges the preservation of the Seed of the New LEBANON-State, cautioning against mixing with those who will face destruction. Believers are encouraged to focus on preserving the Resurrection-Seed to manifest the glory of LEBANON and not fear even if the earth is shaken. Having the Mind of Christ is likened to a growing treasure, revealing the wisdom needed for significant endeavors that will prosper greatly.
October 31. 1678. the Seed of Lebanon
In and towards the Morning, I heard a mighty Cry, thus uttered it self in these Words: The great and notable Day of the Lord is begun, and it will not end, till the Lord Christ come. Now all Nations will put their Hands to War against the Lamb, but as Grass they shall wear away; for the Strength of Flesh shall be dried up as a Potsheard. But look ye well to it, who are preserved to be the Seed of my New LEBANON-State, that ye keep your selves preserved, and mix not with the Seed of Men, who be those wild Plants, that will suffer in the general Destruction: that will cut off many, before the Sharon-State will come more commonly and universally to be revealed. Much more was shewn me, which is too large to insert by Writing: but our work and business is to preserve the Resurrection-Seed, which will manifest the Glory of LEBANON in its first Fruits, as we do keep close to the Mark, so we need not care, though the Earth be moved and overturned. Then again, this Word came to me, Who so hath the Mind of Christ, it will be a growing Treasure in him, as the Book, in which the whole Mind of God is revealed. Meditate thereupon, for it will make thee wise, for the undertaking of great and principal Things; that will mightily prosper in thy Hand.
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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.