December 13, 1676.—In the night, I
had a bright shine about my bed; which was signified to me, that as without, so
it should be all light, from the seven oily lamps, that should be as a covering
flame to clothe the VIRGIN WOMAN, who SHOULD BE IMPREGNANTED WITH THE BIRTH OF
THE MOST HOLY SEED OF GOD. Then queried I, who this woman should be? It was
said, the name was known and written in one, that was to be of a perfect
heart, meet for high and heavenly converse, and so, thereby contract a
sun-shine body of light, chrystaline and clear, to wring unto the heavenly
sphere, which is the habitation for spirits of light. This woman, that is
certified of by John in the Revelations, has not had its fulfilling prophecy to
this day; therefore, yet to come, it was in spirit said to me, The birth of
Jesus was great and marvellous, but this shall far excel it, because it will be
of such high extracted quality, as no terrestrial can or shall see its God-like
form; but as its going forth may be felt and understood by effects, to be
indeed THE BIRTH OF THE HOLY GHOST.—The word of life opening testified, “that
in the human birth of Jesus, there was no visible shew of distinction, because
of the corporeity which then was needful to be borne; but in this
case it will be otherwise, for this is a birth of mere spirit, without any
commixture of humanity, only it will pass and act, sometimes through this
virgin humanity, which it hath chosen to be its birth-womb or temple body,
whereby it may act its deeds of wonder answerable to its birth-deity; so that
here the mother of the virgin-birth will be more dignified and honoured, than
the foregoing ministration in the birth of Jesus was. Therefore, an oriental
bright flaming garment is allotted her, with a crown beset with stars, plainly
declaring that to her is given the command and power to bear sway within the
celestial region; and by and through that near relation and conjunction with this
mighty birth, when born to go forth, to seal and save the nations, that
shall bow to its sovereignty. In this ONE PURE VIRGIN, she (virgin wisdom,) will
first unseal that everlasting source of treasure; and therefrom distribute,
according to the degrees and measures of the Holy Ghost, who shall give his
quickening powers FIRST IN THEM, who for this successive birth, HAVE
THEIR MINDS PURIFIED AND REFINED; for by way of birth it will grow, in all
that hereof shall participate, and after like manner generate: that is,
spiritually, as the woman will literally. But, oh! here will be the great
thing, who shall be counted worthy TO BE THE FIRST of this ghostly generation,
for him to begin with all. (Jane Lead, Divine Revelations and Prophecies [Nottingham:
H. Wild, 1830], 3-4, emphasis in original)