Satan at Noon, Animadversion 6

Satan at Noon · Animadversion 6

p. 77Animad. 6.

Let the reader obſerve, that to that article, that marriage is the way of beaſts, the Dr gives no particular anſwer, and good reaſon, for to affirm it before the face of the country, had been very monſtrous, and to deny it, had been notorious.

In the buſineſſe of Mrs Flavells child Hannah, we deſire the reader to obſerve, Firſt, That the Dr in his anſwer to this article would call the child by no ſirname at all, but only Hannah, and being demanded by the Commiſſioners to tell them Hannah what? what beſides Hannah, even to the deriſion and wonder of all ſtanders by, he would by no means give in any particular anſwer but Hannah, and I will ſay nothing but Hannah, and Hannah what you will, obſerve that the Dr ſhould carry away the mother with child to a private place, and after baptize the child, and take mother and child back again into his ovvn family, for p. 78ſome years, and yet not know the ſirname ſeems to us incredible.

But what ſhould the man ſay, it muſt have been called by him either Hannah Frewin, or Hannah Flavell, or Hannah Pordage, or ſome other Hannah: the firſt, Hannah Frewin had been to make the child daughter of a man, that for ought yet appears never was in the world, for the ſecond, Hannah Flavell had been to make her the child of a father dead two or three years before ſhe was born; for the laſt, Hannah Pordage if it were true, (as it is very poſſible) yet it was not ſafe as yet, as yet the times will not blaze it, there is a pure word wreſted to a ranting ſenſe viz. All things are lawfull, but not expedient.

Secondly, Conſider that in open Court, Mrs Flavell appearing and being demanded by thee Regiſter what her name was, anſwered Mary Flavell, and being demanded the ſecond time, gave the ſame anſwer, Mary Flavell, and being minded by the Regiſter that ſurely ſhe did forget her ſelf, her name was Mary Frewin, ſhe anſwered, Mary Flavell, or Mary Frewin which you pleaſe.

Thirdly, The child was often denied by her to be her child, and commonly taken for her neece, till it was diſcovered by Roger Loughton, at whoſe houſe the child was born, the timpany proving to be a daughter, whoſe teſtimony is uery conſiderable. the man being rationall, diſcreet, refuſing all occaſions of being tempted, for before his teſtimony was given in, the Dr with all his women ſent for him to an Inne in Hounſlow, but he refuſed, the next day being Tueſday they came to his houſe at Heſton, but he was gone to Branford, whether the Dr and his company went and inquired for his ſhop, where they found him, and would needs perſwade him to go with them to the tavern to drink a pint of wine, he replyed, he had no body to look to his ſhop, the Dr told him he would give a boy ſixpence to look to his ſhop in the mean time, he anſwered no, he was about his buſineſſe, if they had any thing to ſay to him he would give them an anſwer there right, he thinks if he would have been ſo baſe as to have been tampered into ſilence, he might p. 79have had a round ſome of mony, This was toward the end of the laſt harveſt.the diſcovery is obſervable for theſe two providences in it.

Firſt, The manner which was this, a plain country man of Bradfield went to Heſton to ſee his brother living there, with whom, on the Lords day, he went to Haworth to hear the ſermon, where alſo was this Roger Loughton, a frequent hearer there, after the evening exerciſe there were two children baptized, and all being finiſhed by a providence, the country man of Bradfield, and his brother, and Roger Loughton, met and went home together, going in the way the country man began to diſcourſe, and ſaid to his brother, I have ſeen more to day then I have ſeen theſe two years, I have ſeen a child baptized, our Dr will not baptize, Roger Loughton not knowing who the man was, nor where he lived, asked his country, and his Drs name, the man told him Dr Pordage, at a place called Bradfield in Berks, Loughton ſmiled and queſtioned the man about Mrs Flavell, and how many children ſhe had, the man replyed one, a boy named Stephen, and being asked whether ſhe had not a daughter, was anſwered by the country man, no, never a child that we know of but only her boy Stephen, R. Loughton ſaid, yes, she hath, and I knew when the Dr would baptize, for she was brought to bed at my houſe of a daughter, and the Dr came and baptized it himſelf, and called it Hannah.

Secondly, The ſecond providence is the time when, and that was about a monethmonth before the Commiſſioners were authorized by the Ordinance; therefore whereas the Dr ſaith we rake in the grave of the dead, we reply the ſcandall was proſecuted as ſoon as it vvas diſcovered, there vvas not tvvo moneths reſpite betvveen the one and the other.

The reſt of the articles contained in this third charge, being moſt of them concerning the Drs viſions, both of the Dr and the reſt of his family, and others of his followers, and of their ſtrange and unheard of apparitions, revelations, trances and raptures, converſe with Angels both good and**All principles and practiſes, tending to Rantiſme, Diaboliſme, Sorcery, and ſeducing of others. bad, ſhall not be here particularly diſtinguiſhed, but for brevity ſake put together as they were exhibited together p. 80with his anſwers thereunto, and the proofs together afterwards as followeth.

That he hath very frequent and familiar converſe with Angels.

Firſt, That a great Dragon came into his chamber, with a tail of eight yards long, four great teeth, and did ſpit fire at him, and that he contended with the Dragon.

Secondly, That his own Angel came and ſtood by him while he was expoſtulating with the Dragon, and that his Angel came in his own ſhape and faſhion, the ſame cloathes, band and cuffs, the ſame banſtrings, and that his Angel ſtood by him, and upheld him.

Thirdly, that Mrs Pordage and Mrs Flavell had their Angels ſtanding by them alſo, Mrs Pordage ſinging ſweetly, and keeping time upon her breaſt, and that her cbildren ſaw the ſpirits coming into the houſe, and ſaid, Look there Father, and that the ſpirits did often come into the chamber, and drew the curtains when they were in bed.

Fourthly, That the ſaid Mr Pordage confeſſed that a ſtrong inchantment was upon him, and that the Divel did appear to him in the ſhape of Everard, and in the ſhap… of a fiery Dragon, and the whole roof of the houſe was ful of ſpirits.

Fifthly, That Mrs Margeret Pender acquainted wit… the doctrine of ſpirits, and pretended to be converted by viſions of Angels, and whoſe confeſſion followeth, doth thin… that ſhe was bewitched by them of Bradfield.

Her confeſſion to Mr Fowler who penned it from her own mouth before witneſſe.

She was taken ill upon Wedneſday in the afternoon in July 1653. about nine a clock the ſame night, there appeared p. 81unto her the viſion of a man ſtanding at her beds feet, on Thurſday the next day he had a book in his hand, and ſtood by her all that day and ſaid nothing, on Fryday it ſpake, ſaying to her, why art thou ſo diſcomforted, ſhe anſwered, a wounded conſcience who can bear, he replyed,Obſerve how the Divell will ſpeak Goſpell for his own bloudy ends. he that hath wounded thee will make the whole, then ſhe ſpake much of her own unworthineſſe, he replyed there was worth in Chriſt, and he had paid a ranſome for her, then he told her that that book in his hand was the book of the Lamb, and that her name was written in it, ſhe ſaw the book, a broad book with a parchment cover, ſhe ſaw writing in it, and then was ſhe22Beware of falſe joy. lifted up with a great deal of joy.

About four a clock the ſame Fryday. the dark Angel came and ſtood by the other viſion, with a knife in his hand, and ſaid thou haſt had a great deal of joy, and offering her the knife, bid her diſpatch her ſelf, and ſhe ſhould enter into that eternall reſt her ſoul ſo much thirſted after, upon this ſhe trembled, the bed ſhook, and her Mrs held her.

The ſame Fryday, ſhe had viſions preſented upon the wall, ſhe ſaw the world, and the reſurrection of the dead, and the ſon of man appearing in the cloudes of heaven.

She ſaw clearly the viſion of a friend of hers, of London, in her chamber at Southcott, her friend was much inclined to this way, ſhe much wondred at it, and told Mrs Pordage of it, who anſwered her, alas ſo do we, we ſee abundance of thoſe we never knew before, when once they come into our way.

On Saturday Dr Pordage came to her being ſent for, and prayed in a very ſtrange language, ſhe did not very well underſtand what he ſaid, ſhe heard him ſay, Lord, but nothing of Jeſus Chriſt, but the abyſſe. and the bottomleſſe eternity.

She heard a great noiſe of drums and trumpets, ſhe asked the Dr what the ratling of the drums and trumpets meant, he anſwered her, it was an alarme to the ſpirituall warr.

One of the nights ſhe ſaw a viſion of young Mr Daniel Blagrave, which came to her beds ſide, ſhe took him by p. 82the hand, and it felt cold, ſhe asked the Dr what it meant, he anſwered her that the coldneſſe of the hand, did ſignifie his beginning to be cold to vanity.

She asked Dr Pordage what the viſions meant ſhe ſaw upon the wall, he anſwered that they durst not reveal one anothers viſions, he did not queſtion, but God would diſcover himſelf, and reveal wonderfull things to her.

She was from Wedneſday noon till Munday noon, and did not eat one peice of bread, but ſome times drank a little water and ſugar, and ſhe ſaith ſhe was not ſick at all after the firſt two houres, and when ſhe was about to eat, ſhe had a voice came to her viz,33The Divell will do more then ſome Quakers, for he will quote the Scripture, but it is as ſome of them do, o deceive. we are not to live upon bread, but upon every word of God, and upon that voice ſhe did not eat.

She ſaith that ſhe hath oftentimes ſeen at London flaſhes of light in her chamber, and at laſt heard a voice which put her into a very great fear and ſweat, ſaying to her, thou haſt married a lump of clay, but thou must return to thy firſt husband, which is thy Saviour, thou muſt go to Joppa: And upon this ſhe was convinced that theſe viſions were of the Divell, becauſe the voice was clean contrary to the Scriptures. ſhe ſaith that ſhe hath heard it reported at**At Mr D. Brs where ſhe then lived. Southcott, that ere long Dr Pordage ſhould have power from on high to beſtow ſaving graces on whom he pleaſed.

That Dr Pordage preached that water baptiſme was not the ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt.

That about Michaelmas in the year 1653 he was commanded by his Angel or from Heaven, to give off preaching and take no tithes, but ſince he conceives he hath had a diſpenſation.

That in July laſt 1654 he was to be taken up into heaven, and it is ſaid by ſome, he hath been there, and diſmiſſed again about his buſineſſe.

That he curſed the people of Bradfield in the pulpit, and their poſterity for euer, in this world, and in the world to come.

That he faith goodwife Pocock ſingeth the higheſt p. 83hymnes very ſweetly, that ſhe knoweth not a word when ſhe begins, but is taken with a burning about her heart, and when ſhe hath done ſhe cannot repeat a word, if it were to gain the world.

That goodwife Pocock lately came to Collonell Evelyn, ſaying ſhe had a word to him from God. viz. have nothing to do with that juſt man.

The teſtimony of Richard Seyward. September the 9. 1650.

I came into Bradfield Parſonage in the evening, and there I heard a very mournfull cry, as if it had been one in extreme paines, but who it was I knew not, but it continued all the time that I was at the door, which was well near a quarter of an hour, and ſo it continued when I went away, and then the tenth day in the morning I came unto Mr Francis Pordage at the parſonage of Stanford 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, the Lord was about a great work in this kingdom, and to this nation, and the cauſe of this cry was one in travell, and the pains were ſo extreme, that if I had 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 travell was at an end, and that he and others were eye witneſſes of it.

That in Dr Pordages houſe in Bradfield, the new Jeruſalem hath been ſeen, to come down from heaven, all of precious ſtones, and in the new Jeruſalem there was a globe, which globe was eternity, and in the eternity were all the Saints.

That at the ſaid Drs houſe, the face of God hath been ſeen, not as Moſes ſaw him, but the very face, as one man may ſee anothers.

That one being in the ſaid Drs 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.

p. 84That he might ſay any thing to the men of the world.

I anſwer, to the beſt of my remembrance, I never44Falſe, read the animadverſion on his proteſtation. uttered any ſuch unchriſtian maxime, much leſſe ever held it as my judgement, and I confidently believe, there is no one in the earth that dare witneſſe it, with an oath.

I know very well that M^r Fowler hath been, if not the authour, yet the reporter of my holding this monſtrous tenet, for he hath confidently averred, and often inſinuated into ſome of the gentry of this County, and into his own proſelites, that I am a**Let the reader judge whether he is a Familiſt or net. Familiſt, and it is my principle to ſay, or unſay any thing that may make to my own advantage, which God knowes is a ſad ſcandall, and a monſtrous untruth, and clearly appears to thoſe who know the integrity of my principles & converſation, to be a blur caſt upon me, from the contrivance of ſubtle machivillian policy, to prejudice all I ſay or anſwer to thoſe horrid things objected againſt me, for if this be once ſetled in thoſe who are my judges, it is vain for me to anſwer, deny, or avow any thing. But the Lord forgive my adverſary, for this his unchriſtian dealing, and grant he may repent of it, before he comes to give up his laſt accompt, before the great Tribunall of Chriſt.

That he hath frequent and familiar converſe with Angels.

As this article is preſented in generall terms, without expreſſing whether the Communion be viſible or inviſible, I do not ſee how it can touch me, though my enemies were my Judges, becauſe every true chriſtian hath frequent Communion or converſe with Angels, as you may ſee, ſolidly and clearly proved from Scripture by the Lord Lawrence, one very learned and pious, now Preſident of the Lord Protectours counſell, in his book intituled, one communion and war with Angels.

p. 85Concerning the viſion of a Dragon, and the apparition of ſpirits.

I may deny theſe four articles, as they are taken together and expreſſed in thoſe terms, and in that manner, in which they are ſet down in my accuſation, for I believe none dare ſwear the meaſures, or teeth of the Dragon, with the appearances of my own Angel &c. without incurring the crime of perjury.

I will not confeſſe any apparitions in particular, till they be proved, leaſt I ſhould ſeem to accuſe my ſelf, they being brought in as a crime againſt me, and as inſtruments to condemn me.

Yet in generall I acknowledge, that ſome four years ſince there were many ſtrange and wonderfull apparitions in my houſe: But what can theſe in juſtice amount to, though atteſted by oath, and confeſſed particularly by my ſelf, when brought before thoſe who profeſſe themſelves chriſtians, and acquainted with the hiſtorie of the holy Scriptures; pray was not Job a pious, ſincere, and eminently righteous man, yet how was he ſcared with dreams, and terrified through viſions. Chap. 7. ver. 14. Did not Zachariah the Prophet. Chap. 3. ſee Satan ſtanding at the right hand of Joſhua to reſiſt him. Did not John Rev. 12. in a viſion behold a great red Dragon, that made war againſt Michael and the holy Angels? and was not Chriſt himſelf tempted of the Divell, by voice and viſions. Mat. 4. ver. 6.8. Now the ſervant is not greater then the Lord. Joh. 15.20. and therefore not exempted from the like attempts of the Divell? I beſeech you conſider whether this earth be not the place where the Divell walks up and down, ſeeking whom he may devour: how then can Bradfield or any other place, he exempted from his appearing when God permits, and may not all this be for the manifeſting of his glory, goodneſſe, and power? and who can tell whoſe family may be next expoſed, by Gods permiſſion to be tryed and proved by the repreſentations of Satan, and I deſire you ſeriouſly to conſider, p. 86how any ſuch apparitions raiſed by the Divell, and permitted by God, for his own glory, argue me either ignorant, ſcandalous, or inſufficient, ſurely it rather argues, that he hath bleſt me with a ſtrong faith in that he permitted ſuch great tryalls, and made me inſtrumentall to overcome them, by prayer and faſting: if it can be proved that I ever ſo much as looked toward the unlawfull art of black magick, or that any evill ſpirits were raiſed up, by any compact of mine, explicite or implicite, or that theſe evill apparitions, were ſubdued and overcome by any other means, then by Gods bleſſing upon our faſting and prayers, I ſhall judge my ſelf worthy of puniſhment.

But otherwiſe it is hard meaſure to be proſecuted, for the malice of the devil towards me, inflicting what I was paſſive in, and could not help, eſpecially by thoſe who profeſſe the Chriſtian religion, and know that the God of heaven ruler over all, permitting and diſpoſing of whatever comes to paſſe.

That Mrs Margaret Pendar doth think ſhe was bewitched by them of Bradfield.

Here is a long and tedious relation, in which truth and**Her confeſſion is true in every particular. untruth are mixed together: the whole ſtructure of which relation, ſo farre as it concernes me, depends on this weak baſis and foundation, That ſhe thinks ſhe was bewitched by them of Bradfield.

But what a ſad thing is this for my accuſer, to impeach me for that which might endanger (if true,) my eſtate and life, upon the thoughts of a diſcompoſed maid; becauſe ſhe thinks I ſent thoſe viſions, therefore I muſt be thus arraigned: but for my part, I do not believe ſhe dares ſay ſo, much leſſe, ſwear it, having no grounds at all for it.

I ſhall briefly relate ſome circumſtances, which concern this buſineſſe, and may ſerve ſomething to clear it up. Before theſe viſions of hers, I had never ſeen her as I know of, nor exchanged ſo much as a word with her. In the time of her viſions p. 87M^r Daniel Blagrave, whoſe ſervant then ſhe was, came for me himſelf, to fetch me to his houſe to viſit her: to which motion I yielded, being ſutable to the law of Chriſtian charity, and when I came, I had no conference with her, but in the preſence of M^r and M^rs Blagrave, with others that were then preſent: and from this viſit, there aroſe a rumour that I was a conjurer, and a ſorcerer, which report was ſpread abroad by two, that carry the name of Miniſters of Chriſt, M^r Fowler, and M^r Ford: the laſt of which ſo exceeded the bounds of charity, and Chriſtian moderation, as in his ſermon at the Aſſizes, to call me a horrid blaſphemer, aſſerting that the Devil was as viſibly familiar in my family, as my own ſervants, and ſo excited Magiſtrates to perſecute me.

As for thoſe††What one untruth? declare it if you can, Mrs Pendar confeſſed all this freely, and it was written from her own mouth before witneſſe. This anſwer of yours is an over-grown untruth. untruths which are mixed in the relation, I ſhall not trouble my ſelf to anſwer them, for I know when they come to be ſworn to, and to be croſſe examined, they will appear to be but the fulling of that wicked Maxime, Calumniare audacter aliquid haerebit. Calumniate boldly, ſomething will ſtick; which being a piece of Jeſuiticall policy, hath been practiſed by my accuſer, in this confuſed Rapſody of Articles.

That my chamber hath been filled with ſpirits.

I hope none will be ſo unadviſed as to ſwear to this article, being ſpirits are immateriall, and55Silly nonſence, for he do…h c…nfeſſe in print p. 73. that the Dragon almoſt fill…d a la…ge room. cannot take up place, or fill a room.

That I preached that water Baptiſme was not the Ordinance of God.

It was never ſo††See Franc. Knights teſtimony under his hand. preached by me, all that then I affirmed was this, that water Baptiſme could not be proved to be the Ordinance of Chriſt, by way of eminency, ſo called from that text of ſcripture, Mat. 28.19. Go teach all nations, Baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and holy Ghoſt; for the Baptiſme may very well be underſtood of the Baptiſme of the ſpirit, which by the diſciples was inſtrumentally adminiſtred to all converts: yet I deny p. 88not water baptiſme to be a goſpel Ordinance, inſtituted by John, as the chief inſtrument under God, from whom he received his Commiſſion, and that this was the ſumme of what I then preached, I can prove by oath.

That about 1653. I was commanded by my Angel, or from Heaven to give off preaching, and to take no more Tithes, but that ſince I have had a diſpenſation.

I believe no one that hath the fear of God before his eyes, dare atteſt this article by oath, as it is here ſtated, this is anſwer enough to ſuch a thing, which is merely brought in as an odium by my accuſer, the more to prejudice me.

That in July 1654 I was taken up into Heaven, &c.

If Paul were now upon the earth, he were in danger to be accuſed by my accuſer, for his rapture into Heaven, or Paradice, but this concerning me will prove but ſome idle dream, created by ſome bodies fancy, to make people wonder at me.

That I curſed the people of Bradfield in my Pulpit, and their poſterity for ever, &c.

This article was one of thoſe heard and examined, four years ſince, by the Committee of plundred Miniſters, from which I was acquitted by them, theſe witneſſes, viz. Richard Luington, John Hambleton, Mary Pocoek, Richard Holmes, with four more atteſted by oath, that I did not curſe the people of Bradfield, for as it was expreſſed in the article, the teſtimony of theſe witneſſes was this: That they being preſent September the 29. the Dr expreſſed himſelf thus, Bradfield is a place, partly made famous, partly infamous, by reaſon of the falſe and lying reports that are abroad. But I ſay, curſed be the tongue, and the mouth that ſhall ſay, that what is done by the power of God, is done by the power of the devil, what one Pariſhioner is here curſed by me, except any ones conſcienc accuſeth him, of the guilt of that forementioned blaſphemy.

p. 89Concerning Goodwife Pocock ſinging Hymnes and ſpirituall ſongs.

She acknowledgeth it as her gift, beſtowed by God, being according to the gifts of Chriſtians, in the Primitive time, but this doth not directly concern me.

Concerning the ſame perſons coming to Col. Eveling, and ſaying ſhe had a word from God, viz. have nothing to do with that juſt man.

She owneth theſe words, and looks upon me as a juſt man, and a66No denier of Chriſt is a Christian, much leſſe, a true one. true Chriſtian, and believeth that Col. Eveling will one day know, ſhe gave good counſell upon good grounds.

Touching Seywards depoſitions, of the birth of a child, and one being in travell.

This was one of the former articles, of which I was acquitted by the forementioned Committee.

M^rs Elizabeth Pordage, and Mary Pocock, aſſerting on oath, that there was no woman in travel, nor any child born, nor any other cry heard, but of thoſe at prayer; which was alſo witneſſed on oath, by M^rs Frances Pordage.

That in my houſe the new Jeruſalem hath been ſeen to come down from Heaven, and that in it was a Globe, which Globe was Eternity, and in that Eternity all the Saints.

As to the ſubſtance of this article, if God have favoured any with ſuch a viſion, ſurely they would be no more aſhamed to own it, when called to it, then John was to write Rev. 21.1. That he ſaw the holy city, new Jeruſalem, come down from God out of Heaven, where he alſo deſcribes it, by all the moſt precious ſtones in the creation, but in reference to my family, I believe none dare atteſt they heard this ſpoken by any of them, which I believe will prove ſome77It is now-confeſſed by himſelf in print p. 77. and Suſan Day ſaith, ſhe ſaw it with her eyes. See her teſtimony. groundleſſe imagination.

p. 90That in my houſe God hath been ſeen face to face, &c.

As this article is ſtated, I ſhall give no other anſwer but this, who dares ſwear to it? or what proof can be brought of it?

The proofs of the aforeſaid articles are as follow.

Concerning the converſe with Angels, or rather Devils, …ombating with the Dragon, and the viſions of Mrs Pendar.

M^r Chriſtopher Fowler further ſworn, and examined, depoſeth.

That about Michaelmas laſt, the Deponent ſpeaking with M^r **This Gentleman was ſummoned to appear, but did not.Daniel Blagrave the elder, concerning the viſions of Angels, that were in his houſe, in reference to M^rs Pendar. The Deponent told him, the ſaid M^r Blagrave he did believe he 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 of conſcience, and in point of reputation, he being cenſured for ſupporting ſuch a man as Dr Pordage. The ſaid Mr Blagrave anſwered, Why the Dr doth converſe with Angels, and I believe when he comes before the Commiſſioners, he will not deny but he doth converſe with Angels. To which the Deponent, replied, if he doth confeſſe them Angels, we will prove them Devils. And he further ſaith, that he hath credibly heard ſomething tending to this purpoſe, that D^r Pordage hath ſeen the77To the queſtion of the white viſion, the Dr would not anſwer at any hand. viſion of the ſaid Mr Blagrave ſomewhat a white viſion.

And he further ſaith, that the entrance of his diſcourſe with M^r Blagrave, was in reference to the viſions that were ſeen by the bodily eyes, and mentioned the viſions of M^rs Pendar, 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.

This Deponent further ſaith, that in conference with Mr Daniel Blagrave the younger, he asked him if he could not ſpeak to the D^rs converſe with Angels, he anſwered (as far p. 91as the Deponent remembers) he could ſpeak much.

And the Deponent further ſaith, that M^rs Pendar being asked by him, did acknowledge (on Thurſday laſt at London) that at M^r Blagraves houſe at Southcott, ſhe heard a great noiſe of drums, and trumpets, which Dr Pordage (who was ſent for to her) told her was the alarum to the ſpirituall warre. And that one night ſhe ſaw 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 coldneſſe of his hand ſignified that he began to be cold to vanity, and that ſhe asked the Dr what the viſions meant upon the wall, and he replyed, Mrs, we do not uſe to reveal one anothers viſions.

The aforeſaid Suſanna Grip.

This Deponent further ſaith that the Dr told her that a great many ſpirits hovered about his window, and kept a noiſe, and that he told the company, there could come in but one at a time, and that a great dragon did come in with a long tail, and great eyes, and vangs, and did ſpit fire at him, and that his own Angel ſtood by him, in his own ſhape, in the ſame clothes, band and cuffs, and did protect him: and that the D^r likewiſe told her that M^rs Flavell and M^rs Pordage had their Angels likewiſe ſtanding by them; and that he overcame the Dragon, and that his Children ſaw the ſpirits, and ſaid, look there father, (they being not afraid after they had faſted and prayed,) and he further ſaid, that the ſpirits did afterwards come into their chamber, and drew the curtaines, and lookt on them, but they would not take notice of them.

She further ſaith, that the D^r told her the ſpirits came about three dayes after they had faſted and prayed, and did flaſh open the curtaines, and look in upon them.

The aforeſaid John Grip.

This Deponent further ſaith, that he was at M^r Blagraves houſe, when M^rs Pendar ſaw the viſions mentioned in her confeſſion, and that the ſaid Mrs Pendar ſaid, ſhe ſaw a man p. 92in white, (as ſhe thought) with the Lambs book: and the ſaid man told her, that her name was written in the book, and that ſhe heard a watch going, and that there appeared another in the likeneſſe of a black man, with a knife, which he offered to her. And the Deponent further ſaith, that at another time, at his houſe, the ſaid M^rs Pendar did inform him, that Dr Pordage had ſaid he had power to beſtow the gifts and graces of the ſpirit, upon whom he pleaſed.

At other times he ſaith, he hath had often conference with Mr Blagrave, and at one time above the reſt, walking over the fields towards Southcot, we fell into diſcourſe concerning D^r Pordage, and the ſaid M^r Blagrave did then tell him, that the D^r did go about to perſwade him to leave off all imployment, and to ſell his eſtate, and to retire to his houſe, for his houſe was the ark, as Noahs ark was, to receive all thoſe that must be ſaued; this was ſometimes this laſt ſummer, and that Mr Blagrave did ſeem very much to ſlight it, and asked the Deponent what he thought he ſhould have got by it, had the Dr prevailed. To which the Deponent replied, that he thought the Dr had a grand deſign in it, for M^r Blagrave being accounted one of the wiſeſt men in the countrey, if the Dr had prevailed to have drawn him away, he might likewiſe have drawn away moſt of the countrey, and then he would have ſet up himſelf like Mahomet.

The Deponent further ſaith, that M^r Daniel Blagrave the younger told him, when the ſpirit came upon the Dr, he would leap over pales of a great height, about five foot and half high, as the Deponent could conceive by his relation, and this was told him within twelve moneths laſt paſt.

Suſanna Grip, daughter of the ſaid John Grip, aged 21 yeares, ſworn, and examined.

This Deponent ſaith, that about three or four years ſince in the Deponents mothers kitchin, ſhe heard Dr Pordage ſay, that a great Dragon came into his chamber, and that he expoſtulated and contended with it, and that the Dragon did ſpit fire at him, and that his own Angel did appear to p. 93him in the ſhape of a man, with his band, and his clothes, and bandſtrings, and did ſupport him, whilſt he contended with the Dragon. And the Deponent further ſaith, that ſhe heard the Dr ſay, that the ſpirits did come into his chamber, and drew the curtaines, and lookt upon them; and that the Dr likewiſe ſaid, they were affrighted at firſt, but afterwards when they were uſed to it, they were not. And ſhe ſaith, that ſhe heard ſeverall other things to this purpoſe, which now ſhe cannot remember to depoſe.

And this Deponent being croſſe examined, further ſaith, That he declared, that the Angel which appeared with the band and bandſtrings, &c. was the Drs own Angel, and not the Angel of another, to the beſt of her remembrance.

The aforeſaid Elizabeth Benwell, further depoſeth,

That ſhe ſaw ſomething like a ſtarre, in the red chamber in the D^rs houſe, by the beds leg, it was light, and ſomewhat like a ſtarre, but ſhe cannot ſay it was a ſtarre yet it was in the night, and no other light in the room, to the beſt of her remembrance.

She further ſaith,This Deponent was formerly ſervant there. ſhe hath heard muſick at ſeverall times in the D^rs houſe, when ſhe did not know that any Inſtruments, or Muſicians were in the houſe; and that ſhe heard it in the kitchin, and in her M^rs cloſet, and did app…ehend the ſame to be near her, but did ſee none playing.

The D^r being asked, doth confeſſe before the Commiſſioners, that he hath ſeen many dreadfull apparitions of Devils at his houſe, and that his family did ſee them, and that a great Dragon did come into his houſe, with a long tayl, and great teeth, but he doth deny that he ſaid his Angel did protect him. He further ſaith, that about four yeares ſince he had apparitions both of good and bad Angels, for three weeks together, at his own houſe, but from that time to this they have ceaſed in**He hath ſtill viſions, but not apparitions, he hath the ſame object ſtill, Angels and Devils, (it appears by his words) but not in the ſame manner. He hath had (to uſe Mr Bl. words, who beſt knows his words and meaning) viſible converſe with Angels formerly, that is, apparitions, and he hath them ſtill, but not in the ſame manner. Now they be viſions, his inward ſenſes (as he doth phraſe it) are open. that manner.

p. 94He doth alſo deny that ever any Angel appeared in his clothes, band and cuffes, as alſo that his Angel did never appear to him in his life, in any viſible ſhape.

He further ſaith, that he never ſaw M^rs Flavels, nor M^rs Pordages Angels ſtanding by them; but it doth not therefore follow but that they might ſtand by them: and being asked, whether he did not relate the ſame to Mrs Grip, he anſwereth, he88This anſwer is like Mary Pococks oath, ſee animadver. the firſt. can neither affirm nor deny it, for he doth not remember whether he did or no.

He further ſaith he cannot affirm nor deny, that he related to Mrs Grip, that his children ſaw the ſpirits, and cried, look there father. But he ſaith, he doth poſitively deny that he related, that the ſpirits did come into his chamber, and**And yet he doth grant in his book p. 72. about the laſt line, that a ſpirit did on a ſudden draw his bed curtains, about the middle of the night, this perjury is like the other, ſupra. draw the curtains when they were in bed, and will prove the depoſition that ſhall affirm it, to be perjury.

He further ſaith, that he hath daily converſe with Angels, & that he hath heard it credibly reported that he hath every day two angels dreſſing of him, & that they who reported it to him, ſaid, they had it from the mouthes of two Miniſters.

The aforeſaid M^r John Tickhill,

This Deponent further ſaith, 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 this Deponents houſe, and that ſhe was willing to come, but could not in regard of preſent diſtemper, but the ſaid Suſanna (having reported to ſeverall people in Abingdon and in particular, to this Deponents wife, that ſhe was at D^r Pordages houſe, and that the people there told her, her eyes were opened, and ſhe ſaw at that that time, the new Jeruſalem come down from Heaven, all of precious ſtones, and ſo on according as in the article,) the ſaid Suſanna told the Deponent on the ſaid Tueſday night, that the laſt time ſhe was at the Drs houſe, ſhe ſaw the new Jeruſalem come down from Heaven, a city four ſquare, with borders of precious ſtones, and ſhe being asked whether it was not her fancy only, ſhe anſwered, ſhe ſaw it really.

The Deponent further ſaith, that he asked the ſaid Suſanna whether ſhe ſaw any Angels in the D^rs houſe, to which p. 95ſhe anſwered no. But ſhe ſaid the Drs daughter did ſee two Angels holding a crown over her the ſaid Suſanna's head.

On the Drs behalfe.

Mrs Elizabeth Blagrave wife of Daniel Blagrave of Southcott Eſq ſworn and examined, depoſeth,

That ſhe never heard Mrs Pendar ſay ſhe was bewitched by thoſe of Bradfield, but ſhe ſaid Mrs Pendar 99And did not the Dr ſay ſo too, and did not ſome more ſay ſo likewiſe, and ſpeak high of it, and piffe at low diſpenſations, but ſhe hath ſince confeſſed that they were from the Divell, and gives her reaſon becauſe the viſion did contradict the Scripture, viz. tending to this, that ſhe muſt leave her husbands.told the Deponent that her viſions were from God, and that ſhe had never ſpoke with the Dr in her life.

This Deponent further ſaith, that Mrs Pendar told her ſhe had been at Mr Fowler his houſe, and that Mr Fowler examined her touching her 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 Dr. Thereupon the Deponent askt her if ſhe had told Mr Fowler that the Dr did ſend thoſe viſions, to which ſhe anſwered, ſhe could not ſay the Dr did ſend them, for a world.

She further ſaith, that Mr Pendar told her that his wife ſaid (when ſhe came to London) ſhe1010Then (it ſeems) ſhe did ſay it to him at Reding, nay, ſhe did confeſſe it to him again the ſecond time at London after the Drs tryall begun would not ſay what ſhe had ſaid to Mr Fowler if it were to do again, for ſhe perceived it was a ſnare or trap.

She further ſaith, ſhe was by when the queſtion concerning young Mr Blagraves hand was put, and ſhe askt it her ſelf ſome in the room, and the anſwer was that the coldneſſe 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 knowes.

This Deponent further faith that ſhe heard a muttering that Mr Grip ſhould ſay that the Dr had perſwaded Mr Blagrave to leave all and come and live with him, whereupon the Deponent askt Mr Blagrave about five or ſix weeks ſince concerning it, and the ſaid Mr Blagrave anſwered p. 96to the Deponent that he did not remember that the Dr ever ſaid any ſuch thing to him.

Laſtly, this Deponent ſaith ſhe never knew any thing of the Drs judgement, neither did he ever bring her into any judgement, and that ſhe never had any diſcourſe with the Dr till ſhe did firſt begin with him, and that if ever he had confirmed her in any thing it was in nothing diſagreable to the word of God.

Concerning the man child mentioned in Seywards teſtimony.

Mr Francis Pordage Brother to the Dr, and Miniſter of Stanford Dingley, ſworn, &c.

This Deponent ſaith, that it was one Mrs Flavell, that in the aforeſaid teſtimony is mentioned to be in travell of the child, and he further ſaith, that about four years ſince Mrs Flavell was very earneſt in prayer on a day when they were faſting which was at the time when one Seyward came to the door, and that the ſaid Seyward knocking, the Deponent went down to the door to him.

This Deponent doth further acknowledge, that the ſaid Seyward came to him about the time mentioned in his ſaid teſtimony to the parſonage of Stanford, and that it is probable he did ask the ſaid Seyward what he did think of the noiſe he heard at the Drs houſe the day before, and that (the ſaid Seyward anſwering he could not tell) it is probable the Deponent did relate unto him that the Lord was doing a great work in this kingdom, and to this nation; and doth confeſſe that unadviſedly he told him that the cauſe of the aforeſaid cry was one in travell, but he doth not remember that he ſpake any ſuch thing as that (the pains were ſo extreme, as that had he ſtayed longer he might have heard it as far as the town) but he doth confeſſe, he ſaid, ſhe was in travell of a man-child, and that he and many others were eye witneſſes of it.

And the Deponent being asked who it was that was in travell, he anſwered Mrs Flavell.

p. 97And he being further asked what became of this manchild, he anſwereth it was the**How could they be eye witneſſes (as but two lines above he ſaith they were) of ſuch a man child as this? birth, death, and reſurrection of Christ in the nature of Mrs Flavell.

And he being further askt how the birth, death, and reſurrection of Jeſus Chriſt in the nature of Mrs Flavell, was ſo great a work that God was doing to this nation, he**And yet but even now he ſaid it was probable he did ſay ſo not above ten lines before. anſwereth he never ſaid any ſuch thing.

He further ſaith, that this travell of a man-child was not any naturall birth of a child out of the womb, But the cry that was then made was nothing elſe but the groaning and interceſſion of the ſpirit in her prayer.

Note that theſe witneſſes following were not examined, becauſe the Commiſſioners were ſatisfied. Francis Knight an underſtanding chriſtian, thought himſelf bound to witneſſe for the truth.

Theſe are to certify that (I having diſcourſe with ſome of Blewbery, who then came from Dr Pordages houſe, and are reputed of his way, concerning marriage) they affirmed with much heat that marriage was not lawfull, but a defilement.

Secondly, that the Dr told me that he thought there was a legion of Divells in his chamber.

Thirdly, I affirm that the Dr preached at Bradfield, that water baptiſme was not the ordinance of Jeſus Chriſt, and I going to him afterwards, and telling him, I was not ſo reſolved, he replyed, whoſoever looked upon water-baptiſme any otherwiſe then as an Ordinance from John did not look upon it aright, and I do offer my ſelf to maintain that if the Dr deny it, he hath a face of braſſe.

Francis Knight.

As for his curſing the people of Bradfield, take this depoſition before the Juſtices of the Peace.

William Wickins ſworn and examined, ſaith, that Dr Pordage did deliver in his ſermon upon the 29 of Sept. that accurſed were the people of Bradfield, and their poſterity, and to you I ſpeak, ſo may you be accurſed and your poſterity in this world and in the world to come.