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
power of the Holy Ghost is neer at hand and that the womb of the eternal love of God is in travel to bring forth Christ again in the acting power of his Godhead which will be that wonder of wonders prophesied of the Prophets and Apostles by which onely the days of tribulation anguish and distress can be shortned and the utmost extremity of the vials of wrath and desolation prevented when once they begin to be poured forth upon the earth And they who are now waiting and groaning in their spirits and sending up the incense of continual prayers and intercessions for the breaking forth of this power to heal and binde up all the wounds and breaches amongst Christians to take away the Curse from the earth and restore the pure love and unity to the Church I say they that travel and wait day and night for this great blessing are those whom you contemn persecute and reject as enemies to the kingdom and interests But take heed lest ye offend one of these little ones and so bring a curse and judgements upon your selves and beware of persecuting in the way you are now in lest in the day of your distress the Lord reject you and give you up to those spoilers who will spare neither root nor branch So much I thought good to add to those Depositions concerning the Apparitions of spirits for the satisfaction of the spiritual Reader and information of many who through reports have imbibed much prejudice against that life and truth which I own and live to Artic. 14. That Mrs Margaret Pendar acquainted with this Doctrine of spirits and pretending to be converted by Visions of Angels doth n What a weak ground is this for to accuse me of Necromancy think she was bewitched by them of Bradfield c Depos Mr Christopher Fowler sworn to this Article and examined saith that Mrs Pendar being asked by him o This is a meer heresay and no legal Testimony and moreover deposed by the Accuser himself which is against Law did acknowledge on Thursday last at London that at Mr Blagraves house at Southcot she heard a great noise of drums and trumpets which Dr Pordage who was then sent for to her told her was the alarum to the spiritual war And that one night she had the Vision of young Mr Daniel Blagrave come to her bed side and she took him by the hand which hand felt cold which Dr Pordage expounded to her thus That the coldness of his hand signified that he began to be cold to vanity and that she asked the Dr what the visions meant he replyed to her we do not use to reveal one anothers visions The Deposition taken on my behalf was this that follows MRs Elizabeth Blagrave wife of Mr Daniel Blagrave sworn and examined This Deponent saith she p This Deposisition is here placed in opposition to Mr Fowlers and though of the same nature yet somewhat better because this Deponent was not a party as Mr Fowler was never heard Mrs Pendar say that she was bewitched by them of Bradfield but the said Mrs Pendar told the Deponent that her Visions were from God and that the said Mrs Pendar told the Deponent she * i. e. Before her Visions never spake with the Dr in her life This Deponent further saith That Mrs Pyndar told her she had been at Mr Fowlers house and that Mr Fowler examined her touching her Mrs Blagrave was the only witness examined in the last charge of Articles for it was the wiâ—l of the Iudges to admit no more visions and the Deponent asked her what she said To which she replyed she was sure she had said nothing to him that could hurt the Doctor Hereupon the deponent asked her if she told Mr Fowler that the Dr did send these visions To which she answered she could not say the Dr sent them for a world This Deponent further saith That Mr Pyndar told the Deponent That his wife said when she came to London she would not say what she had said to Mr Fowler if it were to do again for she perceived it was a snare or a trap This Deponent further saith she was by when the question concerning the coldness of young Mr Blagraves hand was put and the Deponent asked it her self to one in the room And the answer was That the coldness of his hand as far as they knew signified his dying to vanity which was delivered in a jesting manner which answer was not delivered by the Dr. And the deponent saith the Dr never gave such an answer in his life as she knows Here follow the Depositions of John Grip of Redding Ioyner All this man deposeth is but an hear-say and so of no force at all yet admitted as evidence and pertinent when more considerable testimonies on my behalf were rejected as impertinent who being sworn and examined deposeth That he was at Mr Blagraves when Mrs Pyndar saw the visions that are mentioned in her confession and that she said she saw a man in white as she thought with the Lambs book and that the said man told her her name was written in the Book and that she heard a Watch going and that there appeared another in the likeness of a black man with a knife which he offered unto her And this deponent further saith That at another time at the deponents house the said Mrs Pyndar did inform the deponent that Dr Pordage had said he had power to bestow the gifts and graces of the Spirit on whom he pleased The Commissioners were ready to admit any thing thoâ—gh ever so illegal to defame me and raise prejudice against me Note That this disagreeth from Mrs Pyndars confession under the head of the 14 Article where she saith that she heard it reported at Southcot that erelong the Dr should have power to bestow saving graces on whom he pleased And this deponent further saith that another time he was at Mr Blagraves house when the said Mr Blagrave was ill and kept his Chamber and Mr Blagrave and the deponent fell into discourse concerning Dr Pordarge Though the matter of this Deposition be weighty yet the proof is but an hear-say and the things themselves either false or much mispresented as you will see presently in presence of Mrs Blagrave that in the said discourse Mr Blagrave said to his wife That the Dr held strange opinions such as were not agreeable to the word of God for he did maintain that Jesus Christ was not God and that he was a Type and but a Type man and not God a shadow and not the substance And Mr Blagrave did labour very much to take off his wifes affections from the Dr and and his waies but could not prevail This was about three quarters of a year since to the deponents best remembrance In reference to these two last particulars touching Mr Blagrave and his wife consider this following Deposition and Evidence Mrs Blagrave sworn and
not compleat power to act especially in reference to Sentence Judgement and Execution which I believe is the reason why so few of the Commissioners have sate and why others that were at first so earnest in their proceedings have since withdrawn themselves 10. That in reference to Judgement and Sentence concerning me Scandal ought to be preserved as an absolute distinct Head from Ignorance and Insufficiency according to the Letter of your Commission and the undoubted Judgement and intent of the Authors 11. That the Testimony of any one though by Oath concerning what another related to him touching a third person i. e. the Defendant is no proof at all according to Law being not so much as concurrent testimony if the Defendant deny it and do not own it himself Moreover That the Testimony Mr Fowler gave is not legally valid because besides the former reason he is the Accuser and incapable to be witness according to Law 12. That in the day of sentence Mr Dunch and Mr Trapham cannot by Law sit as Judges because they condemned me long before proof All here excepted against sate as Judges and Assistants at the time of sentence threatning me before Witness to turn me out of my Living at the sitting of this Parliament and the last was a Witness against me That Mr Fowler Mr Woodbridg and Mr Tickle cannot by Law fit as Assistants to the Judges or give their Votes in the day of Sentence the one being my accuser the other two Witnesses against me After I had delivered this to be read and had received it again we all withdrew and about two hours after were called in again when the Room being full of people one Mr Lee a Minister the gravest man amongst them began a very formal speech to me in which he very Rhetorically expressed what a grief b If this was so why was I sentenced against Law and trouble it was to them to pass Sentence against me and that he durst not judge that I then was guilty of holding those monstrous Tenents I was accused of yet they must proceed secundum a It had been well if they had done so alegata probata Afterward he proceeded to give me many exhortations and secret reproofs in which he with much artifice made me guilty of all I was accused of Whereupon after I had heard him for a pretty space being very sensible of his disguised prejudicing discourse and his designe in it I was forced to stop him by replying That if he had any brotherly exhortations to give me he might come in private with me but thus to pretend to admonish and exhort me yet really to represent me as guilty of all I was accused of and that before the people was the custom of the Scribes and Pharisees who were wont to hide foul designs under such fair colours witness their dealings with Christ whence I desired him to spare his admonitions and to leave off twisting such silken halters saying I was prepared for Sentence and that I desired him and the rest to take heed of condemning and betraying the innocent Upon this the man being struck somewhat silent Mr Dunch the Chairman commanded the Register to do his Office who presently read the sentence of my Ejectment in the open Court which was then very brief though afterwards enlarged with many circumstantial aggravations and great untruths as this following Copy sent to me from the Clerk on the next day after my sentence clearly shews BERKS ss By the Commissioners appointed by Ordinance of his Highness the Lord Protector and his Councel for Ejecting of Scandalous Ignorant and insufficient Ministers and School-Masters Redding Decemb. 8. 1654. VVHereas several Charges have been exhibited to us against Dr John Pordage Rector of Bradfield in this County who hath given in several answers in writing thereunto and thereupon we have proceeded to examination of several credible Witnesses upon Oath for proof of the said Charges in open Court which Witnesses the said Dr hath been permitted fully z z 'T is well known that I earnestly requested that I might cross-examin Mr Tickle viva voce upon the Interrogatories I was forced to give in writing but could not obtain it and freely to cross-examin And the said Dr hath been required to produce his Witnesses for his justification and to bring in his Interrogatories upon which he would examin his said Witnesses and hath had day after day assigned him for that purpose but notwithstanding hath peremptorily refused so to do persisting in his own way and refusing to observe our direction in his proceeding and hath publiquely by his evil and contumacious expressions slighted and affronted the said Commissioners and instead of producing his Interrogatories in writing according to our Order he hath now verbally offered several questions which he desires to have propounded to several of his said Witnesses which the Commissioners upon consideration of have judged impertinent to clear him from the matters charged against him but meerly to delay and weary out the said Commissioners and therefore they have examined only to two of the said questions which they conceived might somewhat tend to his justification And upon full hearing what the said Dr could say and a a Who with other judicious Lawyers know and confess that I am not by Law guilty of any of the particulars I am here sentenced for Mr Starkey of Councel in his behalf upon the whole matters And upon due consideration it appeareth that the said Dr is guilty of denying the Deity of Christ and the merit of his precious bloud and passion and hath asserted and maintained That Christ was a Type and but a Type and not perfect and that his imputative righteousness was sapless and several other hellish opinions and is otherwise scandalous as by the said Depositions may more fully appear And it is likewise declared under the hands of six of the said Commissioners and several Ministers their Assistants That upon the matters proved against him The said Dr Pordage is Ignorant and very Insufficient for the Work of the Ministry It is therefore Ordered that the said Dr Pordage be and he is hereby Ejected out of the Rectory of Bradfield aforesaid and Profits thereof But the said Commissioners do grant him time to remove himself Family and Goods and Chattels out of the said Parsonage-House till the second of February next and further time to remove his Corn out of the Parsonage Barns till the 25 of March next A true Copy Math. Langley Regist I must be forced to make some observations upon the chief particulars of this Sentence that so it may appear how prejudice or envie vailed the eyes of those that subscribed it Sentence 1. Particular The said Dr hath been required to produce his Witnesses for his justification and to bring in his Interrogatories upon which he should examin his said Witnesses and hath had day after day assigned him for that purpose but notwithstanding hath
travel 2. Mrs. Flavel in a short time fell in travel and then desired no company might be called in yet the woman of the house Goodman Loaders wife called in three or four And Mrs. Flavel was then brought to bed of a daughter having then no husband that the world knew of Mr. Flavel being dead Not proved by any 3. That Doctor Pordage came to that house and Christned that child and named it Hannah and the Doctor came often to visit her there and alwaies alone by himself 4. That the child being put to nurse in the same Parish the Doctor Not proved by any The Nurse denied all these particulars before Witnesses and affirmed them to be unâ—ruths moved Mrs. Flavel to Kensington and paid the Smith for her being at his house That a little while after the Nurse went to Kensington to enquire for Mrs. Flavel to pay her some money but she was removed and the Nurse saying she left a child with her the company smiled and said they thought she was such a woman After this the Nurses husband wrote a Letter to the Doctor to Bradfield that he was twenty weeks pay behind and could not forbear Not proved The Nurse affirmeth this to be most untrue before Witnesses and affirmed the contrary that no Letter was ever wrote nor ever one penny received from the Dr. nor by his order Not proved by any whereupon he was paid and shortly after sent for the child away from the Nurses 5. That a little while after this Mrs. Flavel came again to the Doctors Family and a little child called Hannah it was also brought thither and Mrs. Flavel took the care of it ever since And Mrs. Flavel being by neighbours asked whose child it was said a dear friend of hers but none could ever hear in the house whose child it was And some telling Mrs. Flavel that the child was so like her that they should take it to be hers had she not said the contrary she answered as before 'T was a dear friends of hers but never named whose 6. That this child who was called Hannah this last Summer they changed her name and called her Ruth they have also changed all their names the Doctor is called Father Abraham his wife is also called Deborah and old Goodwife Pocock is called Rahab and so the rest 7. That Goodman Loaders son being a Souldier saw Mrs. Flavel in Bradfield street and spake to her but she took no notice of it Afterward Mrs. Flavel coming to his Fathers house his mother in discourse Not proved by any asked whether she lived at Bradfield Mrs. Flavel answered she knew no such place I will call my son in who saw you there Mrs. Flavel said people be given to lying and would not have him called and presently called for her horse and went away though before she had resolved to stay all night and never since was there except since the Doctor hath been questioned 31. That Dr. Pordage is extream covetous and hath exacted five shillings at a time to marry one man or else told him he would not marry him the man told him he could not justly demand so much the Dr. not proved by any answered without five shillings he would not marry them and took five shillings 32. That his Preaching doth not tend to Edification Not proved by any 33. That he is a very ignorant and insufficient man for the work of the Ministry September 9. 1650. 34. I came into Bradfield Parsonage in the evening and there I heard a very mournfull cry as if it had been one in extream pains but what it was I know not for it continued all the time I was at the dore which was well near the quarter of an hour and so it continued when I went away And then the 10 day in the morning I came vnto Mr. Francis Pordage at the Parsonage of Stauford Dingley and he enquired of me what I did think of the noise that I heard I told him I could not tell Then he related to me that the Lord was about a great work in this Kingdom and to this Nation and the cause of this cry was one in travel and the pain was so extream that had I stayed there a little longer I might have heard it as far as the Town but now she was delivered of a man-child and the travel was at an end and that he and others were eye-witnesses to it The Testimony of Richard Seward 35. That in Dr. Pordages house in Bradfield lately the new Jerusalem hath been seen to come down from heaven all of precious stones and in the new Jerusalem was a Globe which Globe was eternity and in that eternity were all the Saints 36. That at the said Doctors house the face of God hath been seen not as Moses saw him but the very face as one man may see anothers 37. That one being in the said Doctors house in a trance the said Drs. daughter being by her said that she saw two Angels all in white with Crowns over her head The Examination of Goodman Seward concerning Mr. Pordage THis Deponent saith that Mr. Pordage did affirm marriage to be a very wicked thing contrary to the word of God Goodman Seward telling the aforesaid Mr. Pordage that a friend of his had buried his wife and intended to marry again Mr. Pordage replyed that it was a very wicked act and wondred at it The Deponent replyed that he took Marriage to be an Ordinance of God then demanding if his wife should have died what he should have done he replyed Would you be so wicked as to marry This the above-mentioned Deponent will averr with his Oath A true Copy Examined by MATH LANGLEY Regist ' After he had done it seemed not enough to him to have read such a horrid scandalous confused Charge to the people against me but he proceeded to speak to them desiring them to take notice what a strange person I was representing me to be guilty of Blasphemy Devilism and of loosness in my conversation promising to prove that Charge of Articles or to be counted a Slanderer after which prevaricating speech he suddenly departed After I further urged the Commissioners to hear the Testimony of my Witnesses in reference to the first Charge of Articles that so it might be dispatched that so I might be freed from the trouble of answering so many together which would unavoidably bring confusion and disorder to mine and their proceedings I further shewed that according to their appointment my Witnesses were present and ready desiring them to consider that I had been at trouble and charges in bringing them and that I must unavoidably be at more if they would not then hear them notwithstanding this they denied to hear them at that time calling for two Witnesses which they had summoned to attest my second charge of Articles Here I desired that as my charges had been openly read to the people so the examination of
she had a very convenient oportunity Thirdly she is but a single Witness and her testimony not positive she adding as she remembers 4. I desired the Commissioners to hear what my avowed g Was it not real partiality in the Commissioners to regard an expression spoken to a person subject to passion and mistake more then the declaring of my avowed judgement Test Richard Higgs Mr. Francis Pordage Mr. Samuel Pordage judgement was from the testimony of some Witnesses who were ready to depose what I had held forth in my publique Ministry touching the persons in the holy Trinity But the Commissioners refused to examin the witnesses whose evidence was this We heard the Dr in Bradfield Chuch about 1653. from these words John 14. The word was made flesh deliver himself thus For the understanding of the person that was made flesh you must consider the unutterable mystery of the holy Trinity the unity distinguishing it self into three persons The Father Son and holy Ghost Mat. 28. 14. Baptizing them in the names of the Father Son and holy Ghost 1 Iohn 5. 7. There are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the holy Ghost Now which of these three persons are made flesh 'T is not the first person the Father nor the third person the holy Ghost but it is to be understood of the Son the second person in the Trinity We have also heard him out of these Texts Ezek. 9. 4 5 6. Psal 110. 1. The same witnesses with 4 more attested this last Mat. 28. 19 1 Iohn 5. 7. deliver in Bradfield Church the distinctions of the persons in the Trinity as that the Father is not the Son nor the Son the holy Ghost and the holy Ghost neither the Father nor the Son but each distinct So much for this Article Art 6. That it was a weakness to be troubled for sin Depos Mr. Benjamin Woodbridg Minister of Newbery sworn and examined deposeth That Mr. William Twiss of Dorchester told the Deponent that Dr. Pordage maintained it to him or spake in his hearing in company that he was no Christian that could not commit the greatest sin and not be troubled for the same or words to that effect to his best remembrance To this I replyed before the Court. I knew not the said Mr. Twiss and to my knowledge I never saw his face Being then ingaged in the business of examining my Witnesses I said not much to the vindication of my self as to this horrid imputation the testimony being but a meer hear-say and the Deponent rendering it more invalid by these expressions viz. Or words to that effect and to his best remembrance But I desire the Reader here to take notice of the weakness or envy of He is an assistant to the Commissioners Mr. Woodbridg that he should thus with a hear-say only which he himself did not exactly remember thus endeavor to asperse me and render me odious when he saw there were so many horrid things laid to my charge before but I believe he will one day be touched in his conscience for dealing thus with me for the Lord knows I am innocent as to the acting or holding of what he saith I therefore for the satisfaction of the Reader solemnly protest in the presence of Almighty God That I never held any such opinion for it is diametrically opposite to my Principles neither did I ever utter any such expressions as my judgement and am confident were that Mr Twiss brought to my face he durst not averr any such thing To the seventh Article nothing is deposed being contrived and reported abroad by the accuser to draw an odium upon me as you may see in my Answer to it Art 8. That he asserted he knew nothing to the contrary but that a man might company with more then one woman c. Depos Susana Grip saith she told the Doctor that she heard it was a She was the first that ever told me of any such thing and being urged then and afterward before the Court to tell me of whom she heard it she denied to do it reported of him he should keep unlawful company with a woman in London and asked him if it were true To which the Doctor asked her who said so The Deponent replyed she would not tell him whereupon the Dostor smiled and was not troubled but denied it saying no but he made her a further answer that he did not disallow of any such thing as she b She did not understand me aright for it was then is still against my judgement understood him But what his express words were she cannot remember Note This last clause makes all invalid and shews her rashness in swearing that I did not disallow of any such thing being she hath forgotten my words by which only she can judge of my sense And the Answer of the Doctor to this particular being read to her she thus replyed She doth not remember the Doctor uttered any such passages as are therein mentioned to wit that he should say I am a man born to all manner of sufferings It was further read to her That the Deponent knew his life and conversation This she could remember and doth confess she did then reply c See how unconstant she is to her self before she said I smiled and was not troubled seeming to allow of it and now her conscience forceth her to say she did not believe any such thing she did not believe any such thing of him Being further asked by the Doctor Whether this was expressed as his own judgement or the judgement of some other She thus replyed As farr as she conceived the Doctor did speak that passage of allowing that a man may have more then one woman as his own judgement not as another mans Note she did conceive amiss for if ever I spake it it was in reference to the Ranters who then were much talked of for such carnal principles are very much against my judgement and questionless against the truth Being further asked where it was spoken she saith In the Deponents own Court being asked before whom she answers a A single witness without other evidence is insufficient to prove any thing by the Ordinance No body else was then present being asked when she saith it was about three or four years since But let the Reader here take notice 1. That this Article is not within the limits of the Act. 2. That her testimony is not legal in that it is single and not positive she confessing that she hath forget the express words 3. That this is against my avowed judgement to prove which besides my own assertions I had present three b The Commissioners rejected their testimony Witnesses who were ready to depose that I had oft affirmed in conference That although this Principle was owned by the Ranters yet it was much against my judgement as you may further see in my Answer Article 9.
That he hath very frequent and familiar converse with Angels Depos c The accuser is here again admitted to be a witness yet all his testimony fâ—llowing is a meer here-say being no legal proof and so very unfit to have been received by the Commissioners but they delighted to hear any thing against me though no legal evidence Mr. Christopher Fowler of Redding sworn and examined deposeth That about three weeks or a moneth since he asked Mr Daniel Blagrave the younger whether he could not speak to the Doctors converse with Angels He answered as far as the Deponent remembers he could speak much Mr. Christopher Fowler sworn again and further examined November 23. at the Bear in Redding before the Commissioners deposeth That about Michaelmas last the Deponent speaking with Mr Daniel Blagrave the elder concerning the visions of Angels that were at his house in reference to Mrs Pyndar The Deponent told him he the said Mr. Blagrave was able to say much to the purpose it being in his house and desired him thereupon to speak his knowledge of the truth both in point d Note Mr Fowlers subtile insinuations into Mr. Blagrave to engage him to witness somewhat that he might accuse me of of conscience and reputation being censured for supporting such a man as Dr Pordage The said Mr. Blagrave answered why the Doctor doth converse with Angels and I believe when he comes before the Commissioners he will not deny but he doth converse with Angels e If the accuser had lived in the time of Christs Disciples or did they live in this age what an accuser of the brethren were he like to be The Deponent thus replyed to Mr. Blagrave If the Dr will confess them Angels we will prove them Devils Note How full of pride and rashness was this speech of Mr Fowlers and how unsuitable to the Scriptures and the Law of Charity For there are two sorts of Angels and Spirits good and evil light and dark holy and wicked which are continually tending upon men in this world f 1 Pet 5. 8. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the evil to tempt and draw men into the same condemnation with themselves the good to guard and preserve from the evil influences and malitious designs of the other But doth not the accuser seem to forget that the Ministration of the holy Angels stil abides who are Ministring Spirits sent forth to minister for those who shall inherit salvation Heb. 1. 14. And the Psalmist saies The Angel of the Lord pitcheth his tent round obout those that fear him How then dare Mr Fowler affirm that if I confess I have communion with Angels they will prove them Devils How dare he thus limit the holy one of Israel and shut up his favours within the narrow limits of his own conceptions and enjoyments And why may not God for the support and comfort of some precious Saints who in humility self-denial and abstractedness of spirit serve him day and night I say why may he not afford such a sweet and heavenly converse with the holy Angels what Scripture is there that speaks against it Is it not suitable to what he afforded the Patriarchs Prophets Apostles and the primitive Christians But if my accuser lives so much in his sences as to have no sense or knowledg of it yet why should he thus rashly condemn others But the accuser proceeds in his Depositions And further this Deponent saith That he hath credibly heard something tending a What an invalid illegal testimony is this a meer hear-say from he knows not who and his adding to this purpose makes it to no purpose at all to this purpose That Doctor Pordage hath seen the vision of the said Mr. Blagrave somewhat a bright vision But here I put in a question which was this Mr. Chairman I do confess in my answer communion and converse with Angels but pray ask Mr. Fowler What conversewith Angels M. Blagrave understood visible or invisible To this the Deponent further saith That the entrance of this discourse with Mr Blagrave was in reference to visions that were seen with the bodily eye and mentioned the visions of Mrs Pindar that were by her reported to be such upon this he understood Mr. Blagrave that the purport of his answer was a visible converse with Angels And the Deponent further saith That he delivered a Summons for Mr. Blagrave to attest these things b Mr Blagrave was then at London engaged in very weighty affairs who told Mr Cook they had no power to setch him by summons being out of the County in person to Mr Cook one of the Commissioners who sent the Deponent word by Letter That he had shewed the same to Mr. Blagrave who hath notwithstanding refused to appear And further he spake thus in open Court against Mr Blagrave though the Clerk did not take it viz. I do c He speaks against him because he was not so cruel and unjust as he and others are for the former Committee Mr Blagrave being Chairman clearedme by vote after my publick renouncing the denial of the Godhead of Christ for which the present Commissioners against Law and Reason have unjustly condemned me Now whether the accuser doth not speak more like Rabsheca then a Christian in saying it was the plague of the County to have such a cursed Committee let all moderate persons judge it being the use of such to anathematise all who serve not their cruel designs verily believe such a Judge as he was in this case before such a Witness he would have been were he now present But I say It was the plague of this County to have such a cursed Committee Note Mr Fowler here asked me some questions to ensnare me as Whether I had not seen the vision of Mr. Daniel Blagrave To which I answered To this profound question I will answer when I see it attested upon Oath And further asking me concerning converse with Angels The Cleark took this answer The Doctor doth confess that he hath daily converse with Angels but he desires Mr. Fowler to declare what converse with Angels Mr Blagrave did inform that the said Dr had The Dr doth further say That he heard it credibly reported that he hath every day two Angels dressing of him to which he added that they that reported it to him said they had it from the mouthes of two Godly Ministers that would not lie viz. Mr Fowler and Mr Ford. Note I brought in this story to shew the vanity and invalidity of such proofs as the accuser had before produced as that he had credibly heard somewhat to that purpose that I had seen the vision of Mr Blagrave And for all the accuser knows that which he heard so credibly reported might be as great an untruth as that which I heard reported of my self as coming from him and his brother Ford whose function seems very unsuitable to that of lying and slandering Afterward Mr Fowler asked me
of the darkness of this world Eph. 6. 1â— world and their subjects which presented themselves as passing before our eys in state and pomp all the mighty ones appearing to be drawn in dark ayery clouds Chariots with six or at least four beasts to every one besides every figured similitude of a Coach was attended with many inferior spirits as servants to the Princes But concerning the shapes and figures of the spirits you must know they were very monstrous terrible and affrighting to the outward man Those that drew the clowdy Coaches appearing in the shapes of Lions Dragons Elephants Tygers Bears and such like terrible beasts besides the Princes and those that attended them though all in the shapes of men yet represented themselves monstrously mishapen as with ears like those of Cats cloven feet ugly legs and bodies eys fiery sharp and piercing Now besides these appearances within the sperits made some wonderful impressions upon visible bodies without as figures of men and beasts upon the glass-windows and the Cealings of the house some of which yet remain But what was most remarkable was the whole visible world represented by the spirits upon the Bricks of a Chimney in the form of two half-Globes as in the Maps after which upon other Bricks of the same same Chimney was figured a Coach and four horses with persons in it and a footman attending all seeming to be in motion with many other such images which were wonderfull exactly done Now fearing lest there might be any danger in these Images thorow unknown Conjuration and false Magick we endeavoured to wash them out with wet cloaths but could not finding them ingraven in the substance of the Bricks which indeed might have continued till this day had not our fear and suspicion of witchcraft and some evil design of the Divel against us in it caused us to deface and obliterate them with hammers Now what the divels end in the former Apparitions and these figurative representations was The Lord knows but it was certainly evil even as it was against Christ when he shewed him in vision the kingdoms and glory of the world to make him fall down and worship him but Gods end in permitting it was very good even to bring us neerer to himself in a stronger dependance upon his eternal power and to make us more watchful against the subtilty and power of Satan as you will see afterward when I come to speak of the effects of these things in reference to our spirits But to thut up this relation of the objects we saw in this dark world I must add this That were but the eys of men opened to see the kingdom of the Dragon in this world with the multitudes of evil Angels which are everywhere tempting and ensnaring men they would be amazed and not dare to be by themselves without good Consciences and a great assurance of the love and favour of God in protecting them by the Ministration of the Holy Angels 2. As to the objects of the inward and outward smell I must let you know that vvithin the three vveeks space in vvhich these vvonders appeared at several times the evil Angels or spirits did raise up such noisom poisonous smells that both the invvard and outvvard part of those that vvere exercised vvith them became much disturbed and offended for thorovv the sympathy betvvixt the body and the soul The sulphurious hellish smells much exercised both by magical tincturation 3. In reference to the objects of taste you must knovv that sometimes both in the day and night we were exercised with the loathsom hellish tasts of sulphur brimstone foot and salt mingled together which were so loathsom to our Natures as that they were ready to cause great distempers and nauseousness in our bodies but the invisible power of Jehovah supported us beyond our own strength 4. In relation to our inward and outward g These things may be strange to those who do not know that the soul hath fivefaculties of spiritual sensation which are natural and proper to its essence touch we were much exerciced both in body and soul as to our souls we sometimes felt such strange magical wounds and piercings by the fiery darts of the devil that none can express but those that have been exercised in some measure as Job was who felt the poyson of those invenomed Arrows which came upon him by the permission of the Almighty which like the Scorpions in the Revelations sting and pierce those they touch as to our bodies we felt material impressions from the powers of darkness very noxious in themselves to our natural spirits and life but cheerfully born by invisible support and quiet submission to the Will of God h I shall not speak of the internal faculty of hearing till I come to the objects belonging to the other internal world But to Conclude by these wonderful and strange exercises we could not but have strong apprehensions and lively resemblances of the torments and miseries of Hell where sulphur fire brimstone poysonous smells darkness monstrous horrid shapes and sights are the entertainment of the imprisoned spirits But now I come to the other internal world which we may term Mundus Luminosus or the light world which with its various objects was then likewise opened to the inward Senses 1. THen I shall here set forth the objects of the inward eye which were then seen by us There appeared then to our inward sight multitudes almost innumerable of pure Angelical spirits in figurative bodies which were clear as the morning-star and transparent as Christal these were Mahanaim or the Lords host appearing all in Gen. 32. 1 2. manly forms full of Beauty and Majesty sparkling like Diamonds and sending forth a tincture like the swift rays and hot beams of the Sun which we powerfully felt to the refreshing of our souls and enlivening of our bodies Now in the beholding the multiplicity variety and beauty of these spirits with the various wonders and objects of this world clothed in the purest tincture of Light and i The Angels in Scripture appeared oft in the variety of the purest colours Dan. 10. 6. colour we could not but bless the God of heaven who by the eys of wisdom and hand of power brought forth such glorious Creatures and now shewed them in their several beauties to us in a time of tryal and temptation 2 In relation to our inward sense of hearing There were many musical sounds and voices like those which John heard upon Mount Sion then heard by us the sweetness harmony and pleasantness of which cannot be expressed nor that spiritual joy and delight which by them was infused into our souls uttered by the tongue being ready to ravish our spirits into the high praises of eternal Jehovah 3. In relation to the faculty of smelling the tongue can hardly express those Odours of Paradise and heavenly perfumes which then were smelt piercing into the very spirit with a cherishing
God that so we might be transformed into that righteous nature which we so cleerly behold through divine Light hence we came to live in a greater abstraction from our sensitive nature in a more constant watchful practise of the Cross in reference to all external and internal objects which might by entertaining our Affections hinder our progress to God Hence also we came to live a more devoted strict dedicated life sequestring our selves from the world and wordly things giving our selves almost continually to prayer fasting and waiting upon God in dying daily to all self-ownments relations and proprieties in which most are intangled to the great prejudice of their spirits and in this way we have ever since continued endeavouring to be vvholly conformable to the death of Christ in renouncing our ovvn lives and proper vvills as opposite to the life and vvill of God experimenting those profound mysteries of the Cross of Christ vvhich are hidden to most in the vvorld But vvhat joy peace life povver divine pleasure and heavenly Communion the Lord hath blessed us vvith in this our dying resigning progress I shall vvrap up in silence together vvith those blessed secrets of the kingdom vvhich in these fevv last years past vve have been acquainted vvith to the comfort of our spirits in this sad time vvhen vve are judged and condemned of the vvorld in the participation of Christs sufferings Novv ye Ministers and Commissioners my prosecutors Is this to be vile Then let me be more vile Is this to be contemptible Even to be resigned and mortified in the Affections and Passions of the soul to give up ones self to a retired devoted life to God in prayer and continual vvatchfulness I say Is this to be contemptible Then let me be more contemptible Novv you have seen that I have declared those vvonderful visions and exercises vvhich have caused so many scandalous reports together vvith the effects of them on our spirits and I must tell you had I a thousand names lives liberties and such livings as Bradfield is I should rather sacrifice them all upon the Altar of obedience then being called to it deny those great and vvonderful things before declared vvhich the Lord permitted and ordered for his glory and our good But some may say vvhy did not I before this declare this great manifestation to the vvorld I Ansvver 1. The Will of God vvas hid from me vvhether I vvas to manifest it publikely to the vvorld yea or no not knovving but that he might afford it as a peculiar mercy to our family for our private vvalkings before him 2. That vvhich vveighed much vvith me vvas this I knevv this manifestation vvas but the light and vision and not the life it self and that there vvas light enough in the vvorld already hence I desired to keep it private not to publish it that I might not have a name without the thing nor declare the light and manifestation without possessing the life it self and had not this providential occasion drawn me forth to bear testimony to the truth the world had not known so much of these secrets till the name and the thing the light and the life the manifestation and possession had met in union together 4. We have seen sad and lamentable examples of many tall Cedars who after great manifestations and high discoveries of light have fallen and as it were come to nothing And many stars that for a time shined bright in the Firmament of visions revelations and powerful declarations we have seen swept down by the tail of the Dragon and the subtile insinuations of the Beast so that they are now become like other men living in the earth and the corruptions of it now certainly this hath come to pass for want of perseverance in the crucifying their natures in conformity to Christs death and by imagining themselves through Satans subtilty to be what they saw before the change and death of their evil natures whence pride and security arose and that fall come in which many now lye who are as Beacons upon a hill and torn ships upon a rock to admonish us of these dangerous passages in which they themselves were lost now from these Considerations I intended not to have held forth to the world as yet the things I have here declared but with my family to have walked close with God in pressing after that life power and holy nature which in the coming forth of it might have convinced all gain-sayers that the light and life were in Union together but as I before said this occasion hath given me some call to open many of the wonders then beheld before that time in which nevertheless the Lord may have some blessed end which I may not yet see And now ye Ministers of Berks my persecutors tell me what wrong or injury I have done you have I lusted to preach in any of your Pulpits Have I privately gone from parish to parish or from house to house to get followers or make proselites of your hearers Have I publikely or privately railed against you or your Doctrines Have I not lived privately in my own place onely holding forth that strict dying resigning life as the way to life eternal Why then am I persecuted with so much fury and violence as though I were not worthy to live amongst you The Lord judge betwixt you and me and give you to consider and repent of what you have done in procuring and subscribing the unjust sentence of ejectment by which as much as in you lies you have taken away that with which we have cloathed and fed our selves and many others who have been in want and so exposed me and mine to outward cares and troubles which are very disagreeable to that life of silence abstraction and of continual waiting upon God In which we live and are called to live And what is this but like the task masters of Egypt to force the children of the Covenant to make Brick without straw but the Lord is coming to judge himself who will make all these things work for my good which others have designed for my hurt And truly this is all that the Lord Protector and his Council with the Nation are beholding to you for even for hastening and inviting the pouring forth the vials of wrath upon the Land by the persecutions in this time when some or other are continually sent forth to prophesie up and down the streets denouncing war plagues desolations famines and all sorts of judgements and confusions in Church and State which will certainly come to pass except prevented by a speedy and general repentance in turning to the Lord. But these days may be shortned by the wonderfull appearing of Christ in the power of his spirit to convince and convert sinners to himself by the preaching of the everlasting Gospel spoken of Rev. 14. 6. And really the eys of many are opened by the Lord to see that the birth of the eternal love and
into a judicious Court for whose name and reputation may not be blasted if such libellous illegal things so long past should be received into Courts of Judicature as accusations to condemn them 3. Though that crime which my accuser would render me suspected for by this circumstantial Deposition had been ever so clearly proved yet the date of it being 9 or ten years since had put it quite out of the cognizance of the Commissioners not only by the Act of general pardon but also by another Law made particularly by the Parliament in reference to things of this nature which takes away all legal guilt from any persons that are not accused within a year after the commission of any such crime besides the Act to which the Commissioners are confined as their rule to judge of scandal was made many years since therefore I say they neither had nor have any power to take a business so long past though otherwise ever so criminal into their cognizance But notwithstanding these things the Commissioners sent a Summons for Mrs Flavel though they had no positive Charge against her In the answer to the third Article you may see a reason why she hath since been called by this name and after her appearance would have forced an Oath upon her and examined her to questions concerning her self but she as in justice she might refused to answer them alleadging that if any one durst lay any positive crime to her charge she would answer by the mouth of her Lawyer Whereupon the Commissioners threatned to send her immemediately to Prison though they durst positively accuse her of nothing Art 33. That he is a very ignorant and insufficient man for the work of the Ministry George Hastlet of Bradfield Weaver sworn and examined deposeth That he heard Dr Pordage in a Sermon in the Church of Bradfield about This Deponent I objected against as a Drunkard and so an insufficient Witness in things of such high concernment and as he confessed he wrote not down the particulars he here attests and so might easily mix truths and mistakes together as really he doth two years since deliver That it was a vain thing to trust in the bloud of him that died at Jerusalem 1600 years since or more unless it were acted in me or in thee for that was but in the Type the substance must be fulfilled in us and that Christ must be crucified in us we must have the Jews and Pilat to put him to death in us otherwise it was a vain thing to believe in him that died at Jerusalem 1600 years since without us Note As I own and imbrace the Historical birth life death and resurrection of Christ without us with the blessed effects of them clearly held forth in the Gospel so do I also believe the mystical birth death and resurrection of Christ in us according to the Scriptures Mat. 12. 50. Gal. 3. 1. Ephes 2. 5. And to say that both these are necessary to be known at least experimentally enjoyed by all that will be saved and that it is vain to depend upon the first without some sence and feeling of the last as it is to depend upon a notional justification without a real sanctification I say to averr this is not against nay altogether according to the holy Scriptures For we know that Christ Iesus is in us except we be reprobates and if we have not his Spirit we are none of his This Deponent further saith That the said Dr about a moneth since in Bradfield Church did deliver That doubtless the Apostles by that This is but the single testimony of an insufficient Witness as I hinted before Text Know you not that your bodies are the Temple of the holy Ghost did not mean these earthly bodies Note I never denied our elemental bodies to be the mediate Temples of the holy Ghost but the immediate for the immediate Temple of the Spirit is the Image of God in us which is renewed in righteousness and true holiness and may truely be called the Body of righteousness and life in opposition to that body of sin and death Rom. 7. 24. which hath many members Colos 3. 5. being the evil corrupt inclinations and habits of the old man This inward body which is the immediate Temple of the Spirit is called Rev. 16. 15. our garments which we are exhorted there to keep lest we walk naked and the armour 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of light Rom. 13. 12. which we are there commanded to put on in opposition to the works of darkness which we are to cast off This may also be called our pure flesh in opposition to that sinfull flesh spoken of Rom. 7. 18. And as in the last there dwels no good thing so in the first nothing but good being it is the immediate Tabernacle of the Here was no concurrent testimony and so not a valid proof according to the Ordinance holy Ghost Ioel 2. 28. I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh And this Deponent further saith The Dr did deliver That by that Text Gen. 18. 19. I know him that he will command his children and his houshold after him c. was not meant the outward houshold of Abraham but his inward houshold his will and affections which he was Lord Paramount over and he quoted that Text in the last of Ioshua As for me and my house we will serve the Lord which he likewise said was the inward house and not the outward This was about two years since as far as this Deponent can remember and the Deponent saith he judged the same contrary to the mind of the holy Ghost Note Had the Commissioners allowed me so much time as to have brought in what evidence I could against this mans deposition I should have proved that in the tenor of my Ministry I never denied or rejected the historical and litteral sence of the Scriptures for which there can be no just ground * As in the forecited place where I said that by Abrahams houshold in the letter was meant his external houshold viz. his wife children and servants but in the mystery his internal viz. his mind will affections and inward motions But that I have usually joyned the litteral and allegorical interpretation together even as Paul doth Gal. 4. 24 25 26. which sweetly united cannot but make an amiable harmony And the Deponent mistakes in saying I excluded the History for I had before opened it in the plain Historical sence and afterward came to open it mystically in making a spiritually moral use of those Scriptures in applying them to the work of God upon the inward man Let the Reader further know That the Commissioners could not in justice take this as evidence against me because it was all brought the very day of my sentence I having no time allowed me to make my defence by the testimonies of some other that constantly hear me who might have certified this deponents
mistakes in misrepresenting both my words and meaning by shewing I excluded not the litteral meaning of the Texts produced 2. In regard I objected against him as a Drunkard and so an insufficient Witness 3. In that there was no concurrent testimony 4. In that he wrote not this down and so could not exactly deliver so much word for word as I spake it especially so long after some part of it was delivered and so by a little mistake might prevaricate my sense and meaning This Deponent further saith That Goodwife Knap told him about a moneth since that she being at the Drs house Mrs Flavel was very angry This was part of this Hastlets Deposition though it concerned not the former head What a sad thing it is that such a libellous hear-say as this should be received as a testimony against me with her and threatned to have her whipt for saying the child Hannah was Mrs Flavels child and that she then denied she had any other child except Steven her son and that when the said Goodwife Knap denied she had said any such thing and began to be outragious both old and young Mrs Pordage desired her to be pacified saying happily it might be another woman might speak so Note The woman here mentioned hath under her hand before Witness denied what the Deponent here relates of her so that either the Deponent is perjured or this woman ashamed to stand to so gross an untruth as the deponent pretends she related to him But the sentence being given the day in which this deposition was taken I had not time to bring this woman face to face to the deponent so to see where the guilt of perjury or a lying slander lay Though as to the strength of this testimony there was no such thing necessary it being a meer hear-say Art 34. The testimony of Richard Sawood who was neither sworn nor examined in publick Court I came into Bradfield Parsonage in the evening Septemb. 9. 1650. and there I heard a very mournfull cry as if it had been one in extream pains What a plausible story is here framed from two or three expressions intended to hint out the spiritual travel of the soul as you will see afterward but who it was I knew not for it continued all the time I was at the dore which was well near a quarter of an hour and so it continued when I went away And then on the tenth day in the morning I came to Mr. Francis Pordage at the Parsonage of Stanford Dingly and he enquired of me what I did think of the noise that I heard I told him I could not tell then he related to me that the Lord was about a great work in this Kingdom and to this Nation and the cause of this cry was one in travel and the pains were so extream that had I stayed there but a little longer I might have heard it as far as the Town but now she was delivered of a man-child and the travel was at an end and that he and others were witnesses of it Mr Pordage Minister of Stanford Dingly sworn and examined to the former Deposition of Richard Seywood This Deponent being asked who it was that was in travel of the child in the said Deposition mentioned and what became of it To this question he answereth That it was one Mrs Flavel and he further saith that above four years since Mrs Flavel was very earnest in prayer on a day when they were fasting which was at the time when one Seywood came to the dore the said Seywood knocking the Deponent went to the dore to him And he saith he doth acknowledge that Richard Seywood did come to him about the time mentioned in the Examination of the said Seywood to the Parsonage of Stanford and he saith it is probable he did ask the said Seywood what he did think of the noise he heard in the Drs house the day before And that when the said Seyword answered to this foregoing question he could not tell it is very probable the Deponent did relate to him that the Lord was doing a great work in this Kingdom and to this Nation and doth confess that unadvisedly he told the said Seywood that the cause of the foresaid cry was one in travel but doth not remember he spake any such thing as that the pains were so extream as that had he stayed longer he might have heard it as far as the Town but doth confess that he said she was in travel of a manchild and that he and many others were eye-witnesses of it And being asked who it was that was in travel He answered Mrs Flavel And being further asked what became of this manchild He The Deponent in this Examination was set upon by the Ministers with so many questions that he could scarce come to the business which was to declare whether this was a natural or a spiritual travel which at last he clearly expresseth by shewing it was no natural travel answereth it was the birth death and resurrection of Christ in her nature And being asked how the birth death and resurrection of Christ in the nature of Mrs Flavel was so great a work that God was doing to this Nation He answereth he never said any such thing And being further asked whether himself being demanded what this manchild was did not answer The child of Reformation To this he answereth negatively He further saith That this travel of a manchild was not any natural birth of a child out of the womb but the cry that was then made was nothing else but the groanings and intercessions of the Spirit in her prayer Note This last part is the real truth of the business which I could have proved by many Witnesses more who were present in my house at the time and whom I had ready before the Court to attest upon Oath that there was no natural travel nor any natural birth nor any such child born but only the Gentlewoman was then very earnest in prayer but this was thought superfluous being that the Deponent Mr Pordage from the mistake of whose discourse this came to be made an Article against me cleared the business himself by Oath But how my name hath suffered from this groundless business is known very well both to my friends and enemies some of which as the accuser Mr Fowler for one in open Court scoffed at me threatning to prove great things against me from this Deposition of Seywoods To the 35. and 37. Articles Mr John Tickle of Abbington sworn again and further examined deposeth That a Summons being issued for the appearance of Susanna Day the Messenger went for her and met with her on Tuesday night last being the fifth instant at the Deponents house and that she was willing to come and could not in regard of her distemper at present but the said Susanna having reported to several people in Abbington and particularly to the Deponents wife that she was at
subtilty and deceits of such come to be laid open to all that so none may dare to speak the words of life without the eternal word of life speaking in and through them But because there are very many such t is uncharitable to conclude that all are so and to those that judge me as one of those I shall only return the answer of Paul to the Corinthians chap. 4. 3. With me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you or of mans 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 judgement or day yea I judge not mine own self For I know nothing by my self yet am I not hereby justified For he that judgeth me is the Lord. v. 5. Therefore judge nothing before the time till the Lord come End 2. Another End which is excepted against both in my appealing and writing is the vindicating of my own person and cause from dark and false aspersions as though it argued weakness and irresignation in me in not being able to suffer the scandals censures and reproaches of the world without such endeavours to vindicate my self and the truth which God in his time as they say will clear But to this I answer To every thing there is a season Eccles 3. 1. There is a time to keep silence and a time to speak v. 7. Some years last past have been a time of silence to me in which I have suffered under all manner of scandals and reproaches through the malice of the Devil without any endeavours of vindication but the enmity of my enemies growing to such a height as not to contain it self within the limits of railings revilings slanders and reproaches but that also breaking forth into a formal accusation tryal and illegal condemnation and Sequestration of that external livelihood which the Lord hath bestowed upon me and that under the pretence of justice merit and desert I say considering this I esteemed it just and righteous to appeal for a re-hearing that truth inocency might not lie wrapt in the vails of unjust condemnation and lying reports and that malice subtilty and illegal proceedings might come to be detected and no longer blind the eyes of many who judge both of my enemies and my self according to the false glass of their reports which I believed might tend much to the glory of God and the shame of him who is the father of lies who hath ever endeavoured to strengthen his false interest by raising undue prejudices against the truth and the sincere owners of it so that the endeavouring a re-hearing and the publishing the truth of things for the ends before expressed is according to the rules of pure wisdom and Christian prudence being according to Pauls practice who after he had appeared two or three times to answer for himself before the Roman Governors and seeing Festus swayed by the Jews and upon that account willing to try him at Jerusalem amongst them where he believed they would have condemned his innocency and made him suffer as an evil-doer I say on that account Acts 25. 10 11. he appealed to Cesar desiring to be tryed at his Judgemenseat hoping there to have his innocent cause and person cleared And 2 Cor. 10. 2 3. we find Paul vindicating himself against the unjust aspersions of those who thought he walked according to the flesh So that where these things are done from a good and sincere principle they are good and not justly to be excepted against And whereas it hath been objected that we should leave those things to God I answer Our performing these things for his glory and in obedience to his will doth not take them out of Gods hands for what good we do in obedience he doth it in and through us Ephes 2. 13. who are but his instruments and obliged to use lawfull means for the accomplishing of lawfull ends 1 Cor. 11. 24. And having now exhibited the grounds and ends of my Appeal and demonstrated the reasonableness of it in reference to both I shall proceed to shew the issue and event of my appealing You must know then that after I had waited about seven weeks my Petition was delivered by Mr After it came into his hands he suddenly delivered it Sadler one of the Masters of Requests to his Highness the Lord Protector who granted a reference to the Councel on Friday morning Feb. 9 and shortly after my Petition with the Reference subscribed was delivered by a worthy friend into the Councel which after a great debate though some of the greatest eminency were for it rejected it and would by no means grant a re-hearing of my Cause Now this was the issue of my eight weeks waiting in London which I confess though in submission to providence I with many others looked upon as very hard and unreasonable because in point of wrong and injury it is according to the Law of Nations and the rule of pure reason and justice that there should be an Appeal granted from inferior Courts of Judicature to that Power which gave them being especially in a thing of so great concernment as the Ejecting and throwing men out of their Estates and Livelihoods But here I cannot but inform the Reader how subtilly and cruelly my enemies have dealt with me not only in condemning me against Law but likewise in using all means possible to prevent the granting of an Appeal for the re-hearing of my Cause for t is very well known that they have industriously laboured to possess all in whose power it is and who ought in this sad and extraordinary case to relieve me and grant a re-hearing with unspeakable prejudices insinuating into them that I am so guilty and vile as unworthy to be regarded in my addresses to them Now to a discerning eye this course of theirs in labouring so much to prevent a re-hearing of my Cause speaks thus much That they are afraid their unjust and illegal proceedings will be detected by it and many of them proved great lyars and slanderers for reporting I am guilty of such horrid crimes as they commonly say they proved against me Now if they did not fear this why should they be so much ingaged in striving by these insinuations to prevent the granting of an Appeal For if I were really as they represent me all that I should get by a re-hearing would be to be twice condemned and that with double disgrace and an open justifying of their sentence against me whereas now I have this to say That they condemned me unjustly steering their proceedings neithey by Law Reason nor Scripture But being as yet rejected of men and deprived of the just priviledg of an Appeal on earth I shall appeal to heaven from time to eternity from the double eye of the Creature to the single eye of God O Eternal Majesty thou art that high and holy one who seest clearly and judgest truely thou searchest my heart and tryest my reins pierceing into my inmost thoughts and most secret motions with the