Jane Leade

Jane Leade (* March 1623 in Norfolk, † August 19, 1704 ) was a Christian mystic, whose spiritual visions, which she published in a series of writings, significantly influenced the founding and philosophy of the Philadelphian Society in London.

Youth

Jane Leade came from a distinguished family and was carefully educated. At the age of 15, she claimed to have received a vision during a wedding celebration in which you suggesting an angelic voice urgently abandon such frivolities and turn to spiritual things. Although she promised to do, the next phase of her life was very conventional. She was married according to their inclination with a distant cousin and had four daughters with him. Her 27 - year marriage was very stable, but he left them penniless at his death in London back.

At this time she had her first vision of the " Virgin Sophia ", the feminine aspect of God, which is described in the Book of Proverbs in the Bible. Sophia promised to decrypt her the secrets of the universe. Leade declared himself the " Bride of Christ " and continued her constant visions in a manner similar to its predecessor, Hildegard of Bingen, recorded. Your mystic records eventually grew to several volumes.

The Philadelphian Society

1670 founded Jane Leade, along with John Pordage, a Protestant priest from Berkshire and followers of Jacob Boehme, and Thomas Bromley, the Philadelphian Society for the advancement of piety and divine philosophy. Leades writings formed the core of spiritual goals and ideas of society. The movement flourished until the early 18th century, as with Leades death began to shrink membership. Nevertheless, they found supporters in Europe (eg Dodo ( II ) to Innhausen and Knyphausen ( 1641-1698 ); Johanna Eleonora Petersen ) and America.

The World Thought ( Unity in Diversity )

Leade believed that the reign of Christ was imminent, but only after the abolition of the confessional strife. The brotherly love (Philadelphia ) should unite Christians. The individual denominations as temporary roof could persist for the time being. With Leibniz she shared the idea of ​​world harmony.