PHILADELPHIANS  , a

sect of religious mystics, founded in London in the latter part of the 17th century . In 1652 Dr John Pordage (1607-1681), rector' of Bradfield, Berkshire, gathered together a few followers of Jakob Boehme, the chief of whom was Jane Lead or Leade (nee Ward; 1623-1704) . Pordage was ejected from his living by the Triers in 1655, but was restored in 166o . Mrs Leade had been from girlhood of a mystical temperament, and experienced phantasms which she recorded in a diary entitled A Fountain of Gardens, beginning in 167o, in which year the Philadelphian society was definitely organized . She drew up for it " The Laws of Paradise," which show that the enterprise was designed " to advance the Kingdom of God by improving the life, teaching the loftiest morality, and enforcing the duty of universal brotherhood, peace and love." Its members had a strong faith in what they called the " Divine Secrets," the wonders of God and nature, the profound spiritual experiences of regeneration and soul-resurrection, and the second Advent . In 1693 some of Mrs Leade's writings were translated into Dutch, and by this means and her acquaintance with Francis Lee (1661-1719), an Oxford scholar who studied medicine at Leiden and became her son-in-law, a connexion was opened up with Germany and Holland . In 1703 the Philadelphians drew up their confession, but they made no further progress and soon declined . The Holland branch withdrew, and the English government forbade the society to meet . For many years, however, a considerable number of people regarded Mrs Leade's visions, which were published in a long series of writings, as proofs of her divine calling . In her later years she had a severe struggle with poverty, which was relieved by a pension granted by Baron Kniphausen .