John Pordage, Anglican Priest
John Pordage (1607 - buried, December 11,1681) was an English Anglican priest, astrologer, alchemist and Christian mystic. He founded the 17th century English Behmenist group which would later become known as the Philadelphian Society when it was led by his disciple and successor, Jane Leade. Behmenism was the mystical theological doctrine of Jakob Boehme that influenced the Quakers. He was eventually charged before the Committee for Plundered Ministers with heresies comprised in 9 articles, accusing him of a sort of mystical pantheism. But in 1651, the committee acquitted him on all counts. In 1654 the 9 articles were revived against him, with fresh articles added brining the number to 56. The commissioners ejected him as "ignorant and very insufficient for the work of the ministry". He was to leave the rectory and clear out his barns by 1655. At the Restoration Pordage was reinstated. In 1663, he became acquainted with Jane Leade, and assisted her in the study of Behmenism. They formed a close spiritual alliance, and after the death of her husband, she moved into his communal home, where other like-minded souls lived and gathered in order to pray, study, and wait upon the Spirit. His best known work, published posthumously, is Theologia Mystica, where he gives an account of the Divine Origin of all things. He died in 1681 at the age of 73 or 74.
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