Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	apprehend_v	faith_n	justification_n	2,613	5	9.8731	5	true

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ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A90861	Innocencie appearing, through the dark mists of pretended guilt. Or, A full and true narration of the unjust and illegal proceedings of the commissioners of Berks, (for ejecting scandalous and insufficient ministers) against John Pordage of Bradfield in the same county. In which he is justly vindicated from the unjust and horrid aspersions of blasphemy, divelism or necromancie, scandal in his life, and all things else falsly objected against him by his enemies. Published for the clearing of truth, and the detecting of malice and subtilty, and for the prevention of all mispprehensions that may be caused by any scandalous pamphlets, and false relations of the proceedings in his case. As likewise for the information of all sober-minded Christians touching his judgement in many things of high concernment, and particularly concerning chastity, virginity, apparitions of spirits, visions, communion with the holy angels, the invisible worlds, magistracy, &c. / Written by the said John Pordage.	Pordage, John, 1607-1681.	1655 (1655)	Wing P2967; Thomason E1068_7; ESTC R210422	152,492	125

righteousness is called Christs righteousness no other righteousness but the righteousness of Christ can justifie the soul Therefore he is stiled Jer. 23. 6. The Lord our righteousness 1 Cor. 1. 30. Christ is made unto us wisdom and righteousness that is for our justification This righteousness of Christ in its own nature is an everlasting righteousness Dan. 9. 24. 2 Cor. 5. That we might be made the righteousness of God in being clothed upon with Christs righteousness Phil. 3. 9. We are not to be found in our own self Pharisaical righteousness but in Christs righteousness which is the righteousness of justification And the formal cause of a sinners justification is their union and communion with this righteousness of Christ through faith and believing on it Rom. 10. 6. The righteousness of faith speaketh on this wise c. that is the righteousness of Christ apprehended by faith This was also intended to have been given into the Court in writing being transcribed out of three or four note-books compared together and afterward seriously considered and weighed to which the Witnesses could swear with good consciences notwithstanding all those outcries were against this Evidence by some of the Ministers and Commissioners as though I had prescribed what they should swear and that we were all combined to commit a hainous sin and bring the guilt of Perjury upon our selves whereas we all stood in innocency as to this thing having no other end in it but the stable assurance of the truth of what was to be attested by serious reflections upon it after the comparing of divers note-books together which served to help and strengthen the memory of the Witnesses together with the avoiding of the Clerks prevarications in writing by partially taking the Depositions in which we oft found him defective But to conclude this Article I have produced these testimonies to shew my judgement touching Christs righteousness which with the positive Deposition of Mrs. Mary Pocock That I spake that of the imputative righteousness of Christ with a limitation may in justice outweigh the Depositions of the other two Witnesses against me being neither of them are positive and so not effectual in Law or reason Now I shall pass to the third Article To which Mr. Tickle being sworn saith that I delivered That the Newbery Octob. 5. discoveries of the sinfulness of sin the terrors of the Law the death of Christ the free-grace of God are fleshly and flashy discoveries Afterward being cross-examined by me to this Interrogatory Whether this Article was delivered in the same express words and in the same Novemb. 2. order he answered thus That the very sum and substance of this Article was delivered fully and roundly by me and in the express words f He dares not swear syllabically to this but keeps two reserves in the express words for substance for the substance of them and to g To the best of his remembrance which clauses keep him from perjury and this from being a legal testimony in regard it is not positive the best of his remembrance Now I not remembring that ever I said that these were but fleshly and flashy discoveries and knowing that it was but his single testimony and not positively sworn to and so no legal evidence to condemn and besides that it was not comprehended in the Act of Blasphemous Opinions to which the Ordinance refers I passed it by formerly without any answer but now to satisfie knowing Christians concerning my judgement in this particular I shall here present this Answer That I then held forth and do still own it That the discoveries of the sinfulness of sin the terrors of the Law the free grace of God the death of Christ were but preparatory works under the Fathers dispensation to the higher and more powerfull workings of God under the dispensation of the Son in changing and transforming the heart into his Image and so but weak in comparison of the more full and clear manifestations and operations of God upon the soul in bringing it up into divine union and fruition To the fourth Article Mr. Tickle saith that I delivered That the Liberty and freedom spoken Taken Octob. 5 of purchased by the bloud of Christ is not a liberty and freedom from the guilt of sin the curse of the Law the wrath of God but the fiery Deity of Christ in the centre of our souls Mr. Tickle being further examined on this Article by me to this Interrogatory viz. Whether this was delivered first in the same express Novemb. 2. words Secondly and in the same order Answers First The very sum and substance of this Article was delivered fully and roundly by the Doctor Secondly That it was delivered in the express words for the h This is a meer shift to make the evidence seem positive and syllabical though in reality it is not so substance of them To a third Interrogatory proposed by me viz. Whether this Article was thus expressed by me without any addition or diminution of his own He thus answers h This is still no legal evidence to condemn one in Law or reason for his memory might fail as really it did To the best of his remembrance without any limitation addition or diminution of his own But here courteous Reader you must give me leave to shew you Mr. Tickles uncertainty and disagreement with himself in delivering this Article which cannot but make it invalid in the eyes of those that are judicious In his attesting of this Article three several times he never agreed with himself but either diminished or added The first time he sware to this Article he had this clause and applyed by the clinging and cleaving of the soul to Christ as you may see in the first paper of Articles which being sworn again October 5. he left out and neither of these agreed with his own Deposition given under his own hand some four years since to the Committee of Plundered Ministers when it was more flesh in his memory and yet not delivered so fully and positively as now which you may see by his own words taken out of his former Depositions which were these i This was the repeating of some passages in my Sermon though in a mistake as you will see afterward Another preparation was the instating of the soul into a glorious liberty and freedom in these expressions Which liberty and freedom is not that liberty and freedom from the guilt of sin the curse of the Law the wrath of God brought about or in an expression of the same signification by the death and bloud of another and applyed or a word like it by the clinging and cleaving of the soul to Christ Now you may take notice that in the two former this clause was added viz. But the fiery Deity of Christ in the centre of the soul which here is not mentioned Moreover the order is changed and some doubtfull expressions are inserted which shewed

righteousness Ans I thus deliver the truth As I was paraphrasing on that portion of Scripture mentioned in the 9 of Dan. 24. of everlasting righteousness I did say words to this effect That the imputative righteousness of another was a sapless righteousness to all those that had no right or interest in it I shall desire a little to explain my self on this Proposition that the imputative righteousness of Christ in this sense will prove a sapless righteousness For he that hath not the Spirit of Christ dwelling in his heart by faith notwithstanding all this application of Christ and his merits yet to him it is but a sapless righteousness so saith the scripture He that hath not the Spirit of Christ is none of his notwithstanding his application of the imputative righteousness of Christ to himself but here I do not deny the imputative righteousness of Christ nor his active and passive obedience to be the material cause of his justification yea I own and acknowledg Christs righteousness to be the souls righteousness in point of justification when it is applyed upon a true ground according to the true sense of the Spirit in the Scriptures 3. Article That they should look to the fiery nature of Christs Deity in the centre of their souls burning up the dross and chaff of their lusts and corruptions Ans For the explanation of this Article we must consider these are Scripture-Metaphors and Christ is often clothed with a garment of fire according to that of Paul Heb. 12. 29. Our God is a consuming fire and in another place Christ shall come in flaming fire None or few understand these Scriptures or the like of elemental material fire but either of the fire of his divine love to burn up our lusts and corruptions or the fire of his divine justice or wrath in destroying sin and sinners 4. Article That the fiery Deity of Christ mingles and mixeth it self with our flesh Ans I was then speaking of the mystical union betwixt Christ and his Church And in the illustration of this union I applyed that expression out of the 5 of the Canticles He mingleth his Wine and his milk together so in this union Christs divine nature mingleth it self with our humanity his spirit with our flesh This expression Mr. Tickle was pleased to charge with blasphemy asking me what I meant by flesh I answered in conference By flesh I understand not the sinfull and fleshly part of the soul that lusteth against the spirit for with this there can be no union 2. By flesh I mean not the outward elementary flesh of the body but by flesh I understand our pure humanity the pure regenerated part of the soul the converted part of our spirit and thus the spirit of Christ and regenerated part are really in union one with the other according to the Apostles phrase We are made partakers of the divine nature And against this answer he had nothing to reply 5. Article That Christ was a Type and but a Type This was in conference He asked me whether Christ was a Type or no I answered Christ was a Type so expressed 1 Tim. 2. 21. How was Christ a Type replyed Mr. Pendarius I answered His life and conversation was a Type that is a pattern and example for us Christians to square our lives and conversations by Who denies this said he Why I affirm no more said I then that Christ is a Type Is he but a Type replyed Mr. Pendarius I answered Why lie you thus on the catch I say Christ is a Type but I will not affirm Christ is but a Type And this they both confess in their Answers 6. Article That the gifts and graces of the Spirit are but flesh I confess I said the common gifts and graces of the Spirit were but flesh but this I opened after this manner That they were but fleflly weak and carnal in point of justification in point of trust and confidence in regard of salvation and life eternal and no otherwise as their own Witnesses on examination confessed before the honourable Committee of Berks. To conclude As for these Articles especially all the latter I look not upon them as under the cognizance of the Act yet for your satisfaction I have transcribed my former Answers and doe here present them again to your consideration by which you may clearly see my innocency in reference to the horrid opinions for which I am accused John Pordage This being read by the Clerk we were all commanded to withdraw About an hour or two after I was called in again and they told me if I would I should have an Order to fetch in my Witnesses to prove what they could on my behalf in reference to that Charge I replyed That I hoped my Discharge and Answer were sufficient and that they would not put me to the trouble and charge of traversing this business viva voce by my Witnesses again in that besides my Discharge I had brought all their Depositions delivered by Oath to the Committee of Plundered Ministers which I desired might be then read before them because the Witnesses could but say viva voce what was there wrote down Hereupon I delivered them to be read and so being handed to the Clerk the Commissioners asked me how they should know them to be true I replyed The Clerk delivered them as a true Copy and I would affirm on my Oath that they had not been altered since I had them But notwithstanding this they rejected them alleadging that they would not take notice of any written Depositions taken out of another Court but that I must again bring in the former Witnesses to testifie what they could by word of mouth so that all the reasons and arguments I could use could not prevail with them to free me from the charge and trouble of From the first to the last I could not have the least civil just request granted me which might either advantage my cause or free me from trouble and expence bringing in my Witnesses again for which the Clerk was then commanded to draw me up an Order BERKS By the Commissioners for ejecting of Scandalous Ministers October 19. 1654. At the Bear in Speenhamland Dr. Pordage of Bradfield hath this day again attended and hath exhibited an Answer in writing to the Articles exhibited against him Ordered that the said Dr. do attend again before us on this day fortnight at this place at which time he is to give answer to the additional Articles now exhibited against him and to produce his Witnesses if he have any for proof of his defence and Summons are to issue out for that purpose if he desire the same Then they told me they had a new Charge of Articles against me which were these that follow then openly read by the Clerk Articles against Doctor Pordage Parson of Bradfield to prove his ignorance and insufficiency for the Ministry 1. IMprimis One Mistriss Lewin being with child and near

the Witnesses might be open that so the people might as well hear the proof as the accusation but this could not be granted Then I requested that I might be present this was also denied So two Witnesses were privatly examined to the second Charge whose examination concluded that daies transactions in reference to me and I received an Order to appear before them again the 22 of November at the the Bear in Redding BERKS By the Commissioners for Ejecting of Scandalous Ministers November 2. 1654 at the Bear in Speenhamland ORdered that Dr. Pordage of Bradfield now present do appear again before us on Munday the 22 instant at the Bear in Redding as that he then give in his Answer to the further additional Articles now exhibited against him And it is further Ordered That the said Dr. do then produce his Witnesses and bring in his Interrogatories in writing upon which he will examin the Witnesses in his defence or cross-examin them produced for proof of the several Charges against him On the day prefixed I appeared at the appointed place the Commissioners then sitting being Mr. Dunch Chairman Major Fincher Mr. Trapham Mr. Stround Mr. Cook Mr. Nutkins The Ministers Mr. Fowler Mr. Lee Mr. Woodbridg Mr. Tickle Mr. Hughes with two more Just as they were going to Dinner I was called in and asked for my Answer to the last Charge of Articles I told them it was ready but I should be very long in delivering it but if they thought fit I would give it in before dinner At this one Mr. Trapham a Chyrurgion and Commissioner began to be very ruffe pressing me to give in my Answer and to leave it with them I replyed that it was in my power whether I would give it in in writing only or by word of mouth and that I resolved of the last So I was commanded to withdraw After dinner being called in again I read this Answer following and then delivered it to them in writing My Answer to the third Charge of Articles I present in this form following I Shall first present something by way of general Preface and so descend As I was expressing the first part of it I was much interrupted by Mr. Dunch who passionately cryed out they would not hear it bidding me come to my particular Answer though they would oft hear me railed against by the accuser and others in open Court without the least reproof to particulars In the first place then I look upon the first Articles charged upon me by young Mr. Tickle to be as the casting of my innocent person with Daniel into the Lions Den but those Articles as the mouthes of the Lions I conceive were stopped so that they could not hurt me because the Authority and just proceedings of two former Committees authorized by Acts and Ordinances of Parliament with some other legal Priviledges had sufficiently muzled the mouthes of those Lionish Articles And as for the second subscribed by an unknown name I believe there hath not been not cannot be any thing proved which may render me obnoxious to any legal guilt As for my third Charge brought forth by Mr. Fowler who is both my Accuser and my Judge I look upon it as the designe of the evil one to cast me with the three children into the hot fiery Furnace of unparalleld wrath and envy for I know it will one day appear that these Articles were raked together from a spirit of bitterness and spleen which seem to me as the furnace heated seven times hotter by the fire of wrath to burn up and consume my name Liberty Estate and Posterity But be it known unto you oh you Judges and Commissioners I am not solicitious what the event may be I know the God whom I serve in the integrity of my heart who is Jehovah the true and only God is able to deliver me from this hot fiery furnace and to punish those who cast me in But however God as yet may order and dispose of me in reference to the execution of my enemies intents I believe my strict and holy conversation with my holding forth what God in the riches of his grace hath bestowed upon me will clearly demonstrate that I am no such person as the false and unworthy aspersions of these Articles represent me to be As to the particular Articles which are raked together in much confusion without reducing of them to their particular heads of Scandal or Insufficiency many of them being incapable justly to be referred to either I thus begin my Answers Art 1. THat the righteousness of Christ was a poor vain sapless righteousness 1. Part. Ans This Article was in my former Charge and I was cleared of it by two Committees who had power legally to acquit me even as they did 2. Part. Ans I do cordially acknowledg That Christs righteousness is not a poor and sapless righteousness but very pretious being the material cause and spotless robe of a Christians justification and that every Saint ought to be found in this righteousness of Christ in point of justification and not in his own self-righteousness 3. Part. Ans I deny that ever I spake such words without some limitation which limitation if annexed would free me from any guilt resulting from such expressions and though any one should swear I spake those words yet that could not render me justly guilty it not being declared what preceded or followed in the series of my discourse And I have many Witnesses sufficiently known and pious who being constant hearers of me have testified by Oath and will upon occasion again that the scope of my Ministry drives not against the due application of Christs righteousness to the souls of believers but against the misapplying it to those who have not the spirit of Christ living in their hearts purifying their consciences and subduing their lusts Art 2. That Jesus Christ was not perfect alleadging that Scripture to confirm it My God my God Why hast thou c. 1. Part. Ans I do nakedly without any vails profess that I ever did and still do look upon Christ as a most perfect copy and pattern to square our lives and conversations by yea and to be a perfect Mediator in reference to that work he undertook for the redemption of the world being free from the least tincture either of original or actual sin and truely the thought of any such thing never lodged in my heart 2. Part. Ans But suppose I uttered such expressions as these yet the manner of it will sufficiently free me from that guilt my accuser may hope and believe I am obnoxious to by it I confesse I uttered these or the like words yet it was only by way of relating what I heard in a Sermon of Mr. Erberies in Somerset House who at that time endeavoured to enumerate Christs supposed imperfections whereof he made his crying out on the Cross in those expressions one Now I leave it to your considerations whether

take the Evidence of the forementioned witnesses because it contradicted not Mr. Tickles Testimony quoad idem tempus in reference to the same particular time I was forced to tell them that I must subject to the determinations of the Court but I hoped they would be more ingenuous and Christian-like then condemn me for a word or expression though i Which this was not the witnesses not being positive having some reserves at you may see before proved ever so clearly if the drift and tenor of my Ministery were otherwise But I shall here insert and so leave it to the judgement of the Reader what * Mr Francis Pordage Mrs Mary Pocock Mary Allin Mr Samuel Pordage Robert Bolt Richard Higgs John Higgs John Wickins eight substantial witnesses who almost constantly hear me would willingly have deposed upon oath touching this Article viz. That the scope of my Ministery is not to take away the due application of Christs Righteousness but the misapplying of it in reference to those who have no interest in it After this I further pressing the Commissioners to hear those witnesses which were to attest this they seemed somewhat to change their resolution and to admit one or two of them to be examined So I mentioned Mrs Mary Pocock a very pious and experienced Christim and so known to be in the place where she lives Against whom it was objected that she was one of my own Tribe Then I mentioned another discreet prudent Christian by name Richard Higgs who is known to be one of a very good conversation Against whom Mr Fowler having somewhat to object for his supposed judgement was willing to have him called to examination So this Richard Higgs being sworn deposed That he had been a The Examination of Richard H●ggs hearer of me at certain times for five or six years last past and that during that time for ought the Deponent knew the scope of my Ministery hath not been against the right and due application of Christs Righteousness but against the misapplication thereof for ought he knew or ever understood and being asked whether he had been a constant hearer of me he said he had heard me very often but that he was usually at his own Parish in the morning and that some times he was absent but had often heard me And being k Mr Fowler and some of the Ministers falling upon him with many questions he had not here liberty to speak his full minde For it is seldom that a day passeth in which he doth not hear me once and take notes as all the inhabitants of the place can testifie further asked what he had usually heard me preach concerning the Imputative Righteousnes of Christ he said he could not charge his own memory but had a note to which he would reflect for recollecting his memory and thereupon produced a note which he confessed was given him from the Doctor Here upon this were many Outcries against me from the Accuser and others of the Ministers and Commissioners as though I had committed some hainous act in suborning a witness to swear what I pleased whereas there was no such thing for this man and two more meeting at my house compared their note books together out of which this was taken which was in that paper which he after mature deliberation and reflection upon it could with a good Conscience swear to as looking upon it more safe then to swear upon sudden memory But I shall now proceed to the further examination of this witness as it was taken by the Clerk but very partially as you shall see presently This Richard Higgs being asked what he meant or what the Doctor meant by the righteousness of Christ he saith he cannot depose but the Doctor interposing said Christs Righteousness was his active and passive obedience and thereupon the Deponent being a Here the Accuser and other Ministers fell upon him so fiercely and asked him so many questions that the Deponent being a modest man seemed to be somewhat danted telling them it did not concern him to answer to many of their questions asked what was Christs active obedience presently denyed his words again To this he refused to subscribe The Clerk hath left out something touching Richard Higgs his answer to that question about Christs active obedience which answer being caught up by the b This Clerk was very partial in his taking the depositions as all that were present saw Clerk before he had Liberty to express his meaning he might very well deny though the Clerk had wrote it down it being not according to his meaning and purpose and so not fit to be subscribed After this Mr Fowler the Accuser openly attested against this Deponent That he denyed the Bible to be the word of God and said that the same was but old declaratives which the said deponent denies Here the Clerks partiality is again apparent who left out a weighty distinction which the deponent made concerning the word of God in answer to Mr Fowlers accusation which was this that he never denyed the Scripture or Bible to be the written word but had said it was not the essential word And this very distinction the Deponent had formerly given to the Minister of the Parish who being present confessed it before the Court acknowledging that he walked like an honest and sober Christian in his conversation But to proceed although this Deponents written evidence would not be received yet I shall here present it as it was to be given in and attested by seven more Witnesses besides himself The form of it was this I do confess I have heard the Doctor Preach at Bradfield about the year 49. d Since the Sermon at Ilsley for which is now accused out of Dan. 9. 24. thus Quest What is meant here by this righteousness Ans By this righteousness is meant Christs righteousness Io. 23. 6. The Lord our righteousness And Paul desireth not to be found in his own righteousness but in the righteousness of Christ Phil. 3. 9. Christs righteousness is the souls wedding robe Isa 6. 10. He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness As to the nature of Christs righteousness it is a pure spotless perfect and compleat righteousness Eph. 5. 27. That he might present to himself a glorious Church in this righteousness of his not having spot or wrinkle This which follows was also intended to be given in and was to be attested by e John Higgs John W●●kins Mary Pocock three Witnesses I confess I heard the Doctor Preach in Bradfield Church out of Luke 1. 68. That the free grace of God the Father is the first cause of the souls justification Quest What is the matter out of which a sinner cometh to be justified in the sight of God Ans It is righteousness as a man cannot live without a life so a sinner cannot be just without a righteousness and this This testimony would not be received