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 universal impact of the curse that spread over the earth due to Adam and Eve's disobedience, causing labor, sorrow, and various evils. She emphasizes the need to look to Jesus to be set free from this curse and to experience the blessings of the new covenant established by the law of faith. Lead encourages believers to leave behind burdens and old traditions, embracing the freedom and anointing of Jesus to break the heavy yokes off their necks.
July 26. 1678. the Flying Roll.
This Morning it was given me to consider of the Flying Roll, that hath spread over the whole Earth with its Curse. That no one in part, or Person in this visible Creation, but have felt the effects thereof in the various Evils, that hath been inflicted upon that Birth. Which is included under that dreadful Sentence, which God denounced upon Adam and his Off-spring, upon his and Eve's Apostacy. So that the Earth should bring forth no more after the first Paradisical Institution; but with Care, Labour, and Sorrow, as we have had daily proof of this heavy Doom. But there was secret Word cast into me, Look out from under this out-spreading Curse, and come under the saving Wing of your Jesus. For know as his Birth doth grow up in you, so it will come to make void all of the Bitter Worldly Curse. For redeeming Blood will set you free: The rich and deep Dye thereof will recover the Blessing again, according to the new Covenant, which is established by the Law of Faith upon those, who can live up thereunto. To whom the Spirit doth now expressly give new Laws according to the new Birth, Which acquits us from the old Traditions, Customs, and Manners, which the Curse hath followed so hard upon. A Door is now opened for our escape, at the entrance of which, we are to leave those Burthens, that have made us bow, and sink down so heavily. From which the Spirit of Jesus is come to set us free, as we do keep the Law of Faith: who is that Anointing, which will break these uneasie Yoaks from off our Necks. The Lord of truth hath spoken it.
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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.