Selected quad for the lemma: cause_n

Word A	Word B	Word C	Word D	Occurrence	Frequency Band	MI	MI Band	Prominent
cause_n	formal_a	justification_n	righteousness_n	6,175	5	8.2431	4	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

that particular though I had before been guilty of holding that monstrous Tenent as I never was Thirdly In my Protestation I have solemnly owned the Deity of Christ as my judgement renouncing the contrary Opinion Fourthly If I were guilty of this it must be as it is an offence against the Act of Scandal which is the Commissioners rule in things of this concernment but it is not an offence against that Act in regard the words I am accused of were spoken in the year 1649. and the Act made 1650 Fifthly My Discharge together with the Act of General Pardon free me from the pretended guilt Now let these particulars be weighed together in the ballance of equity and the great untruth of the Commissioners Assertion cannot but clearly appear Sent. And the merit of his precious blood and passion Obs The falsity of this will be discovered if we do but consider that this Assertion must be grounded either upon the Accusers or Mrs Grips Testimony The Accusers was this That one told him that I had said the blood of Christ was not Meritorious of any mans salvation now this was as untrue as illegal being a meer scandal and a meer hearsay of the Accusers which therefore is of no force and can give no just ground to the former Assertion The Testimony of Mrs Grip was this that I told her it was a poor thing to live upon the blood of Christ Now that this is no sufficient ground for their formen Assertion viz. That I am guilty of denying the Merit of Christs precious blood will clearly appear if you consider First That this Assertion in the whole latitude of it is not false for if it be applyed to those who erroneously so live on the blood of Christ as to neglect the following of Christ in Mortification and self denyal as I feared this woman did and on that account applyed it to her I say if it be so applyed it is a real truth Now I averring that I delivered this not in general but with a particular respect to Mrs Grip and others that I apprehended abused the precious blood of Christ how dare they pretend so to judge of my inward thoughts and intentions as to condemn me as guilty of denying the Merits of Christs blood for such a speech Secondly l As you may see before My Protestation also shews that I do not hold maintain this and to am not guilty by the Ordinance which respects the present time These words were attested but by one single witness who committed Perjury and so invalidated her own Testimony Thirdly These words are no offence against the Act of Scandal whether you consider their nature or time as to the last it is clear they are not within the reach of the Act because I was not accused within six months after they were spoke it being above four years since as to the first there is nothing about the blood of Christ expressed in the Act which was chiefly made against the opinions and practices of the Ranters Fourthly They were spoken before the Act of General Pardon came forth Now these things laid together clearly evince the untruth of the former imputation of my denying the merits of Christs blood Sent. And hath asserted and maintained that Christ was a Type and but a Type Obs If you consider the evidence on both sides you will finde that the Commissioners have no reason to say this viz. That I asserted and maintained c. for though there be two witnesses to this Article yet one of them swears onely that he heard me deliver that Christ was a Type and but a Type whereas I had two witnesses who swore positively that in the discourse in which these words were spoken m Though the words were spoke yet I presently gathered them up confessing it was Lapsus Linguae or a slip of my speech as one of the witnesses deposeth I said I would not stand to the word but nor assert Christ was but a Type which is also agreeable to the written Deposition of Mr Pendarvis with whom I then discoursed who saith I waved the word But constantly affirming Christ was a Type Now I wonder how they that pretend to proceed secundum allegata probata considering the Depositions on both sides can say I asserted and maintained c. Secondly Though this had been so yet the Commissioners could not have touched or condemned me as guilty for it 1. Because this was one of the Articles I was acquitted of by the Committee of plundered Ministers 2. It was spoken some Besides what is here alleadged I own Christ to be more then a Type in my Protestation years before the being of the Act against blasphemous Opinions 3. I was not accused within six months after and so not lyable to any guilt by that Act. 4. It was long before the Act of Oblivion came forth So that whether you weigh the Depositions of the witnesses or the several Laws against which the Commissioners cannot in justice act any thing you will finde there is no reason of putting this into the Sentence Sent. And not perfect Obs Here the Judges shew their unjust judgement and great partiality so palpably that I cannot imagine what Fig-leaves they can sow together to cover this their so open nakedness they say here as one ground of their Sentence That I maintained Christ not perfect of which there is no proof at all nor shadow of proof For not to speak of the illegality of Mr Fowlers being permitted to be a witness being my Accuser all that was said to this was by Mr Fowler who deposed that young Mr Blagrave told him I had said Christ was not perfect which as I have oft said was a meer story weighing nothing in Law and so much the less to be regarded in that it was brought in by the Accuser against me now for my Judges to insert this in the Sentence as a thing proved against me is such a piece of injustice nay of weakness as to their own cause that I cannot but wonder at it Sent. An that his Imputative Righteousness was sapless Obs If we compare the Depositions together we shall finde that the Evidence is not a true sufficient ground for that which is here alledged For although there were two witnesses here against me yet upon cross examination whether this was spoken without any addition and as an entire sentence one of them answered he remembred no such Addition as was mentioned the other said He remembred nothing to the contrary but that it was an entire Sentence now neither of these are absolutely positive for though they depose that they remembred not any addition yet they do not swear positively there was no Addition now my witness absolutely deposed that I delivered this with an Addition and that the Addition made up one entire Sentence with the preceding words and that what I delivered was this That the righteousness of Christ was sapless except

the Fiery Deity of Christ be in the center of our souls burning up our lusts corruptions which is but equivalent to that Scripture He that hath not the spirit of Christ is none of his Now whether the absolute positive proof of this witness be not stronger in Law then the proofs of the other two which are not positive and absolute let the wise judge But secondly Admit I spake even as my enemies pretend yet the Commissioners had no power to retrospect to words spoken six yeers since for the Ordinance by which they are to act judgeth onely those who shall be found HOLDING OR MAINTAINING c. Now they cannot say that I hold or maintain this being I have declared otherwise in my Protestation Thirdly What I did then speak was some years before the being of the Act of Scandal of which I was not accused within six months after it was spoken and therefore it is not within the reach of that Act. Fourthly This was long before the Act of Oblivion Fifthly The discharge I received from the Committee of plundred Ministers takes away all legal guilt from this Article and puts it past the Cognizance of these Commissioners And although the late railing abusive pamphleteer pretends that in the Order of the said Committee There is not the least mention made of discharging Named M. L. Clerk to the Commissioners though t is certain the paper was not of his composing me from the fact and that it doth onely dismiss the cause out of that Court The Reader must know this vail and pretence comes either from ignorance or subtilty for it is not there expressed that the cause was dismissed out of the Court but Ordered that the Cause should be dismissed which is general and it is there added The same is hereby dismissed Now the dismission of the Cause on the Defendants part doth really discharge from the fact as those that have knowledge in the Law and are acquainted with the proceedings in Chancery and other Courts known very well and if you read the discharge pag. 4. you will finde it very full for 't is there expressed That upon hearing the Cause in presence of parties and Council on both sides and upon a full Hearing what could be said by both parties This Committee order the said Cause to be dismissed c. And though it be pretended the reason of dismission was because they had no proper cognizance of the cause and were not invested with power to Eject It is a great untruth for the reason was because they could prove nothing worthy of ejectment against me for had they found sufficient ground I had as surely been ejected as I was acquitted as it is well known to those who were at the tryal But to conclude the thirty two members of Parliament who were of that Committee at my tryal many of which came much prejudiced against me by the false reports of my adversaries knew better their own power then to receive such a formal tryal of a cause they had not proper cognizance of and to give such a serious and full dismission of it Thus much I thought fit to add to this last particular to shew the vanity and error of their exceptions against my discharge which as able Lawyers tell me is undoubtedly firm Sent. And several other hellish Opinions and is otherwise scandalous as by the said Depositions may more fully appear Obs Here their bitterness manifests it self in thus Arraigning me without cause Why are not those other hellish Opinions expressed And why is it not mentioned in what I am otherwise scandalous For I am sure the Depositions shew no such thing as they pretend nor give instance of one act which may be truly called scandal Sent. And it is likewise declared that upon the matter proved against him The said Doctor Pordage is ignorant and very insufficint for the work of the Ministry Obs The Commissioners never proceeded to examination in reference to this of ignorance and insufficiency contrary to their own Ordinance pag. 624. for they have not the priviledge of that exception made in m 624. where this disjunctive proposition is Upon such examination or proof made upon oath the same page as to me notwithstanding their pretensions in this part of the Sentence For 1. if they ground this their judgement upon the Opinions before mentioned their ground is not firm for we see those Opinions have not been legally proved against me and besides this is a confounding the distinct heads of scandal and ignorance c. against the tenor of their own Ordinance 2. If they bottom it upon n He was brought to witness to that Article viz. That I was ignorant and very insufficient for the work of the Ministry Hastlets Deposition it is a notorious piece of o Qui statuit aliquid parte inaudita altera aequum licet statuerit haud aequus fuerit Sen. injustice 1. In regard he was not examined till the day of Sentence I having no time given me to make my defence 2. In that he was objected against as a Common Drunkard and so an insufficient witness 3. In that his testimony was single without any concurrent evidence and so not legal Whence it appears that my Judges in thus aggravating my guilt with the terms of ignorant and very insufficient c. aggravate their own condemnation in the eye of the Righteous Judge of all things Sent. It is declared under the hands of six of the said Commissioners and seven Ministers their assistants c. Obs I shall conclude my Observations on this Sentence with some things it is requisite for me to discover and lay open touching the Qualifications and Dispositions of some of those Ministers and Commissioners which agreed to this Sentence of Ejectment Here I shall begin with the Ministers ANd first with Mr Tickle who some yeers since hath shewed himself a bitter and professed enemy against me in a Pamphlet Entituled The bottomless pit smoaking in Familism put forth by him 1651 In which he bedivels me all over calling me Familist pag. 49. There is one Pordage a Familist who cares neither for Scripture nor Reason and pag. 81. The God of the Familists whom they generally serve is the Divel The sink of sin and in his Epistle brands me for one that will say and unsay any thing giving a mistaken instance in these words And at the same time at Redding could call in all with o These men will not permit me to explain my meaning when by speaking either short or obscure I am mistaken by any I meant not so This he speaks in reference to that dispute about the Deity of Christ and here confesseth that I did not stand to the ownment of what he then and hath since accused me of about the Deity of Christ How then durst they Sentence me for denying it when in the discourse I said I meant not so as he here confesseth Now whether this person

and that life and truth of God I own and and live to I could not but publish and present you with this following Relation of the proceedings wherein I shall put an Even ballance and a just weight into your hands that by it you may be inabled to weigh all passages betwixt us in Justice and Equity and so discern that subtilty cruelty and envy of my enemies under which I have suffered and do still suffer But come my Brethren and fellow-travellers gather your selves together unto the Supper of the great God The day of your refreshment is at hand the Bridegrooms coming is even at the door when all injustice will be condemned and all persecuting Nimrods summoned to judgement when they who now Lord it over Gods inheritance and solace themselves in the things of this life shall stand trembling and quaking before the Judge calling for the rocks to fall upon them and the hills to cover them from the wrath of the Lamb then all their blaspheming railing against and reviling the Saints of God and God in his Saints will rise up in their Consciences then they will wish they had had no being rather then offended the little ones of the kingdom But in those days we shall lift up our heads and sing for the Majesty of the Lord and give glory to our Redeemer But in the mean time it is enough to consider that thus persecuted they the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and Martyrs in ages past speaking all manner of evil against them for righteousness sake It is enough to remember that thus even thus must all Christs eminent witnesses be civilly killed in their honor names and reputation thus condemned thus cast out of the Synagogues and thus injured in their estates But thorow all these sufferings the spirit of glory will be honored our royal gifts and graces as our faith love meekness humility patience courage perseverance tryed exercised and strengthened Precious friends Labour to see Christ coming towards you in all these clouds of dark persecutions and know that Christ hath his way in these whirl-winds troubles and confusions and that all these storms and tempests raised up by the powers of darkness imbodying themselves in the natures of men are but the fulfilling of those Scriptures spoken by our Lord Christ in which he prophesied of the Saints suffering as preparatory to his second coming in power and glory by which these mountains of opposition will be removed and these Hills of contention melt away and the wicked earth that bringeth forth these Bryers and Thorns of fleshly strife and passion be burnt up and consumed Oh who may abide the day of his coming and who shall stand when he appeareth who shall ascend into the Holy hill of the Lord or abide in the Tabernacle of his Glory They that walk uprightly and work righteousness and speak the truth in their hearts they that backbite not with their tongues and do no evil to their neighbours They that do these things shall never be moved Now you heirs of salvation to this kingdom of glory to this incorruptible inheritance to this exceeding excessive external weight of Glory I desire you to turn your Eys that having such great and precious promises you cleanse your selves from all the filthiness of flesh and spirit perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord that so you may be presented holy unblamable and unreproveable in his sight at the Great Day Which is the earnest prayer of him who remains Yours in the Love and Truth of Christ JOHN PORDAGE To the Tryal it self I thus present it to view I Was first warned by this subsequent Summons to appear before the Commissioners Berks. ss Monday the 18 Septemb. 1654. By the Commissioners appointed by an Ordinance of his Highness the Lord Protector and his Council for the ejecting of Scandalous Ministers WHereas several scandalous Articles have been exhibited against Dr. Iohn Pordage of Bradfield in the said County of Berks which said Articles lying now before the said Commissioners It is thereupon Ordered by the said Commissioners that the said Dr. Pordage do make his personal appearance before the said Commissioners on Thursday the fifth day of October next at the Bear in Spinhamland by Newbery at nine of the clock in the morning to answer the said Articles exhibited against him whereof he is not to fail Given under our Hands and Seales in Reading the day and year above said Chr. Whichcot Sam. Wightwick Ri. Fincher William Strowde William Natkine Wil. Cooke Accordingly at the time prefixed I appeared about nine of the clock in the morning in the place above expressed where I waited till betwixt three and four of the clock before I was called in then came the Door-keeper to tell me that the Commissioners called for me I presently obeyed and followed their servant with two friends that accompanied me then the Door-keeper commanded my two friends to go forth of the Room I told him they were to be there he replyed that he was ordered by the Commissioners to let none in but my self and therefore they should be put out and so began in an uncivill manner by violence to thrust them forth whereupon I applyed my self to the Commissioners telling them these two were my friends and that I brought them as Eye-witnesses of the proceedings and that it was no reason I should be alone To which it was answered they must depart it being resolved upon by them to have none but my self there present Then the Door-keeper began with violence to pull them forth crying out Do you not hear the sence of the Commissioners I turning towards them again said I desired none present but these my two friends it was replyed it should not be so upon this I was necessitated to ask them against my will what they were whether a publick Court of Justice yea or no for if they were I demanded the liberty of a Subject that their Doors might be opened for all to come in that would that so their proceedings might be open moreover I shewed how this was the Custome of all Committees above and of all such Courts of Judicature whereupon the doors were opened and the people came in Mr. Wrightwick openly averring that I should fare the worse for it thus was I necessitated to contend for this just and reasonable priviledge for which my cause was unjustly threatned The Commissioners then sitting were these with one or two more Mr. Fettiplace Chairman Mr. Samuell Wightwicke Mr. Samuell Dunch Major Fincher Major Allin Mr. Cox Mr. Stroud Mr. Angell Bell. The Ministers were these with some other Mr. Hewes Mr. Tickle. But to proceed as I stood silent before them Mr. Dunch turned to me and with much seeming bitterness and passion spake thus Dare you deny Christ to be God and again how dare you deny the God-head of Christ To whom I replyed I came to know my charge which was exhibited against me and that I hoped he had not judg'd my cause

before it was heard Hereupon the Chairman commanded Langly the Clerk to read these following Articles in open Court Articles against Dr. Pordage of Bradfield 1. That the fiery Deity of Christ mingles and mixes it self with our flesh 2. That the imputative righteousness of Christ is a sapless righteousness 3. That the 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 4. That the liberty and freedom spoken of purchased by the blood of Christ and applyed by the dinging and cleaving of the soul to is not a liberty or freedom from the guilt of sin the curse of the law the wrath of God but the fiery Deity of Christ in the center of our souls 5. That by Male and Female Gen. 1. we are to understand by Male the Deity by the Female the humanity and that these two became one flesh these things were delivered without any limitation whatsoever 6. That gifts and graces of the Spirit are but flesh 7. That Christ is a Type and but a Type 8. That Christ is not God 9. That Christ is not Jehovah Tickle witnesseth After these Articles were read the Chair-man demanded my answer to whom I replyed That I had been acquitted from all these four years since by the Committee of plundered Ministers and that after a full hearing and debate therefore I desired that according to Law they would pass by these old ones but if they had any that were new told them I was ready and willing to receive and answer them I further replyed I hoped they would give me the liberty of a Felon who after tryall and acquitment cannot be questioned for the same thing again to which Mr. Dunch replyed with much seeming fierceness You are worse then a Felon for ought I know Which language coming from a Judge to the Defendant before tryall let all sober persons judge of who are acquainted with the rules of civility morality or Christianity Here Mr. Hewes the Minister interposed affirming That a Felon might be acquitted at one Assizes and hang for the same thing at the next of which he gave an instance in a story not worth the relating To which I replyed only this That it could not be for the same he was acquitted of before but I seeing that he had gone ultra crepidam beyond his Office and beyond reason said no more to him though he was very bitter and pragmatical speaking oft as Judge although he was but an assistant and that only in reference to ignorance and insufficiency But afterward applying my self to the Chairman I further urged that these Articles were not within the cognizance of the Commissioners in that I had been discharged from them by those who had full power and authority to do it After this all were commanded to withdraw and about an hour after I was called in again and asked for my discharge I answered I came now only to know my Charge and that I had not my Discharge there but would bring it when they would appoint me Then they declared That notwithstanding my Discharge in another Court yet it was the judgement of the Commissioners that they had power to take cognizance of the Articles exhibited whence they made this Order viz. BERKS By the Commissioners for ejecting of Scandalous Ministers c. October 5. 1654. At the Bear in Speenhamland Dr. John Pordage Rector of Bradfield in this County hath in obedience to our Warrant dated the 18 of September last to him directed this day attended and pleadeth that he hath been already discharged from the Articles that are exhibited to us against him by the Parliament and the late Committee of this County and therefore not again to be questioned or proceeded against for the same by these Commissioners But the said Doctor hath produced no such Discharge Resolved upon the Question That by vertue of the Ordinance of his Highness the Lord Protector and his Councel for ejecting of scandalous ignorant and insufficient Ministers and School-Masters The said Commissioners have power to question the said Doctor upon the said Articles and that notwithstanding his Plea as aforesaid of a former Discharge And it is thereupon Ordered That the said Doctor do give his positive answer to the said Articles unto us on this day fortnight being the 19 instant at this place whereof he is not to fail Now this was the substance of the things which were transacted the first day of my appearance which I have here presented in truth and righteousness to the impartial Reader My second appearance before them was the 19 of October at the same place The Commissioners then sitting were these M. Wightwick Chairman M. Danch Mr. Evelyn Mr. Bell Mr. Mils The Ministers Mr. Woodbridg Mr. Fowler Mr. Hughes with some others The first thing they demanded was my Answer to the Articles exhibited against me But I desired them to receive my Discharge which I hoped would be instead of a full and satisfactory Answer So I produced it and it was received by them and delivered to the Clerk who after it was read took a Copy of it and then returned it to me again The Tenor of it was as followeth At the Committee for Plundred Ministers March 27. 1651. VPon hearing the Cause in presence of parties and Councel on both sides concerning Dr. Pordage Minister of Bradfield in the County of Berks And upon reading the Papers and Examinations depending against him before this Committee and full hearing what could be said by both parties This Committee have taken the said Cause into serious consideration and debate and do thereupon Order that the said Cause be dismissed and the same is hereby dismissed GILB MILLINGTON Afterward they asked me how they should know that this was a true Copy I returned answer I received it from their Clerk there present who knew it to be true And besides I had a friend by who being with me when I received it could attest the truth of it by Oath Then they waved my Discharge and called for my particular Answer to the Articles alleadging That notwithstanding the Discharge the Commissioners had judged the Articles under their cognizance So that after I had pressed my Discharge with as much earnestness as in modesty I could they still hastily calling for my further Answer I was necessitated to give in this which followeth My Answer to the Articles exhibited against me consists in these Particulars 1. Partic. I Humbly conceive that none of the Articles exhibited against me are comprehended in the Act Entituled An Act against several Atheistical Blasphemous and execrable Opinions derogatory to the Honour of God and destructive to humane society without the sense and meaning of the words expressed in the Act be stretched and wrested beyond the litteral scope and drift of the Act. And this is not my judgement only but the judgement of some pious and judicious Lawyers of this Land Which thing in