A case of conscience resolved viz. whether, where a church of Christ is situate, it is the duty of the women of that congregation, ordinarily, and by appointment, to separate themselves from their brethren, and so to assemble together to perform some parts of divine worship, as prayer, &c. without their men? : And the arguments made use of for that practice examined / by John Bunyan.
         Bunyan, John, 1628-1688.
      
       
         
           1683
        
      
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             A case of conscience resolved viz. whether, where a church of Christ is situate, it is the duty of the women of that congregation, ordinarily, and by appointment, to separate themselves from their brethren, and so to assemble together to perform some parts of divine worship, as prayer, &c. without their men? : And the arguments made use of for that practice examined / by John Bunyan.
             Bunyan, John, 1628-1688.
          
           39 p.
           
             Printed for Benj. Alsop ...,
             London :
             1683.
          
           
             Reproduction of original in the Bodleian Library.
          
        
      
    
     
       
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           Women in Christianity -- Early works to 1800.
           Christian life -- Early works to 1800.
        
      
    
     
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           A
           Case
           of
           Conscience
           RESOLVED
           .
           VIZ.
           Whether
           ,
           where
           a
           Church
           of
           Christ
           is
           Situate
           ,
           it
           is
           the
           Duty
           of
           the
           Women
           of
           that
           Congregation
           ,
           Ordinarily
           ,
           and
           by
           Appointment
           ,
           to
           Separate
           themselves
           from
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           so
           to
           Assemble
           together
           ,
           to
           perform
           some
           parts
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           as
           Prayer
           ,
           &c.
           without
           their
           Men
           ?
        
         
           AND
           The
           Arguments
           made
           use
           of
           for
           that
           Practice
           ,
           Examined
           .
        
         
           By
           
             JOHN
             BUNYAN
          
           .
        
         
           London
           ,
           Printed
           for
           
             Benj
             :
             Alsop
          
           ,
           at
           the
           Angel
           and
           Bible
           in
           the
           Poultrey
           .
           1683.
           
        
      
       
         
         
         
           The
           Epistle
           Dedicatory
           to
           those
           Godly
           Women
           concerned
           in
           the
           following
           Treatise
           .
        
         
           
             Honoured
             Sisters
             ,
          
        
         
           'T
           Is
           far
           from
           me
           to
           despise
           you
           ,
           or
           to
           do
           any
           thing
           to
           your
           reproach
           .
           I
           know
           you
           are
           beloved
           of
           God
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           that
           you
           stand
           fixed
           for
           ever
           by
           Faith
           upon
           the
           same
           foundation
           with
           us
           .
           I
           also
           know
           that
           the
           Lord
           doth
           put
           no
           difference
           betwixt
           Male
           and
           
             Female
             ,
             as
             to
             the
             communications
             of
             his
             Saving
             Graces
             ,
          
           but
           hath
           often
           made
           many
           of
           your
           Sex
           eminent
           for
           piety
           ;
           yea
           ,
           there
           hath
           been
           of
           YOV
           ,
           I
           speak
           now
           of
           ordinary
           Christians
           ,
           that
           for
           Holiness
           of
           life
           have
           out
           gone
           many
           of
           the
           Brethren
           :
           Nor
           can
           their
           vertuous
           lives
           but
           be
           renown
           and
           Glory
           to
           YOV
           ,
           and
           conviction
           to
           those
           of
           VS
           that
           have
           come
           behinde
           you
           in
           Faith
           and
           Holyness
           .
           The
           love
           of
           Women
           in
           Spirituals
           (
           as
           well
           as
           Naturals
           )
           oft
           times
           out-goes
           that
           of
           Men.
           
        
         
           When
           Christ
           was
           upon
           Earth
           ,
           we
           read
           not
           that
           any
           Man
           did
           to
           ,
           and
           for
           him
           ,
           as
           did
           the
           Woman
           that
           was
           a
           sinner
           ,
           
             Joanna
             ,
             Susanna
          
           ,
           and
           many
           others
           ,
           
             Luk.
             7.36
             ,
             37
             ,
             38.
             
             Chap.
             8.1
             ,
             2
             ,
             3.
             
          
        
         
           And
           as
           they
           have
           shewed
           themselves
           eminent
           for
           piety
           ,
           so
           for
           Christian
           valour
           and
           fortitude
           of
           minde
           ,
           when
           called
           of
           God
           to
           bear
           witness
           to
           ,
           and
           for
           his
           Name
           in
           the
           World
           :
           as
           all
           Histories
           of
           that
           Nature
           doth
           suficiently
           testifie
           .
           They
           were
           Women
           ,
           as
           I
           take
           it
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           Men
           ,
           that
           were
           tortured
           ,
           and
           that
           would
           not
           accept
           of
           deliverance
           that
           they
           might
           obtaine
           a
           better
           resurrection
           ,
           
             Heb.
             11.35
          
           .
           Wherefore
           I
           honour
           and
           praise
           your
           eminencie
           in
           vertue
           ;
           and
           desire
           to
           be
           provoked
           by
           the
           exceeding
           piety
           of
           any
           of
           you
           ,
           in
           all
           Holy
           conversation
           and
           Godlyness
           .
        
         
           And
           although
           ,
           as
           you
           will
           find
           ,
           I
           have
           not
           with
           out
           a
           cause
           ,
           made
           a
           Question
           
             of
             the
             Lawfulness
             of
             your
             assembling
             together
             ,
             by
             your selves
             ,
             to
             perform
             ,
             without
             your
             Men
             ,
             solemn
             Worship
             to
             God
             :
          
           Yet
           I
           dare
           not
           make
           your selves
           the
           Authors
           of
           your
           own
           miscarriage
           in
           this
           .
           I
           do
           therefore
           rather
           impute
           it
           to
           your
           Leaders
           ,
           who
           whether
           of
           a
           fond
           respect
           to
           some
           seeming
           abilities
           they
           think
           is
           in
           
           you
           for
           this
           ,
           or
           from
           a
           perswasion
           that
           you
           have
           been
           better
           then
           themselves
           in
           other
           things
           ,
           or
           whether
           from
           a
           preposterous
           zeal
           ,
           they
           have
           put
           you
           upon
           a
           work
           
             so
             much
          
           too
           heavy
           for
           you
           :
           I
           shall
           not
           at
           this
           time
           concern
           my self
           to
           inquire
           into
           .
           But
           this
           is
           certaine
           ,
           at
           least
           't
           is
           so
           in
           my
           apprehension
           ,
           that
           in
           this
           matter
           you
           are
           tempted
           by
           them
           to
           take
           too
           much
           upon
           you
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           not
           insensible
           but
           that
           for
           my
           thus
           writing
           ,
           though
           I
           thereby
           have
           designed
           your
           Honour
           and
           good
           Order
           ,
           I
           am
           like
           enough
           to
           run
           the
           Gantlet
           among
           you
           ,
           and
           to
           partake
           most
           smartly
           of
           the
           scourge
           of
           the
           Tongues
           of
           some
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           soundly
           Brow-beaten
           for
           it
           by
           others
           :
           Specially
           by
           our
           Author
           ,
           who
           will
           finde
           himself
           immediatly
           concerned
           ,
           for
           that
           I
           have
           blamed
           him
           for
           what
           he
           hath
           irregularly
           done
           both
           with
           the
           Word
           ,
           to
           you
           ,
           and
           me
           .
           I
           look
           also
           to
           be
           sufficiently
           Scandalized
           ,
           and
           counted
           a
           man
           not
           for
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           Meetings
           for
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           but
           I
           will
           labour
           to
           bare
           them
           with
           Patience
           ,
           and
           seek
           their
           good
           that
           shall
           be
           tempted
           to
           abuse
           me
           .
        
         
           I
           had
           not
           ,
           indeed
           I
           had
           not
           spoke
           a
           Word
           to
           this
           question
           in
           this
           manner
           ,
           had
           not
           Mr.
           K.
           sent
           his
           Paper
           abroad
           ,
           and
           amongst
           us
           ,
           for
           the
           encouraging
           this
           practise
           with
           us
           ,
           in
           Opposition
           to
           our
           peace
           .
           I
           do
           not
           
             say
             he
             designed
          
           our
           breach
           ,
           but
           his
           Arguments
           tended
           thereto
           ;
           and
           had
           not
           our
           People
           been
           of
           a
           wise
           and
           quiet
           temper
           ,
           his
           Paper
           might
           have
           set
           us
           into
           a
           Flame
           .
           But
           thanks
           be
           to
           God
           we
           are
           at
           quiet
           ,
           and
           walk
           in
           love
           ,
           notwithstanding
           the
           Lifts
           that
           have
           been
           to
           make
           us
           do
           otherwise
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           also
           the
           mouths
           of
           some
           opened
           against
           me
           for
           this
           ,
           who
           lie
           at
           wait
           for
           Occasions
           ,
           and
           shew
           that
           they
           are
           glad
           to
           take
           them
           before
           they
           are
           given
           by
           mee
           :
           to
           whom
           I
           now
           shew
           by
           this
           ensuing
           discourse
           ,
           that
           I
           had
           a
           reason
           to
           do
           what
           I
           did
           .
        
         
           I
           commend
           you
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Word
           of
           his
           Grace
           ,
           which
           is
           able
           to
           build
           you
           up
           ,
           and
           to
           give
           you
           an
           inheritance
           among
           them
           that
           are
           Sanctified
           by
           Faith
           in
           Jesus
           Christ
           :
           to
           whom
           be
           Honour
           and
           Glory
           for
           ever
           .
        
         
           And
           remaine
           your
           Faithfull
           Friend
           and
           Brother
           to
           Pray
           for
           you
           ,
           to
           love
           you
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           and
           to
           do
           you
           what
           Christian
           Service
           I
           can
           .
        
         
           
             John
             Bunyan
             .
          
        
      
    
     
       
         
         
           A
           Case
           of
           Conscience
           Resolved
           ,
           &c.
           
        
         
           THE
           occasion
           of
           my
           meddling
           in
           this
           manner
           with
           this
           Controversie
           ,
           is
           this
           :
           After
           I
           had
           (
           for
           reasons
           best
           known
           to
           my self
           )
           by
           searching
           ,
           found
           ,
           that
           those
           called
           the
           
             Womens
             meetings
          
           ,
           wanted
           for
           their
           support
           ,
           a
           bottom
           in
           the
           Word
           :
           I
           called
           them
           in
           our
           Fellowship
           into
           question
           .
           Now
           having
           so
           done
           ,
           my
           reasons
           for
           so
           doing
           (
           as
           was
           but
           reason
           )
           were
           demanded
           ;
           and
           I
           gave
           them
           ,
           to
           the
           Causing
           of
           that
           practise
           with
           us
           to
           cease
           .
           So
           subject
           to
           the
           Word
           were
           our
           Women
           ,
           and
           so
           willing
           to
           let
           go
           what
           by
           that
           could
           not
           be
           proved
           a
           duty
           for
           them
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Practise
           of
           .
           But
           when
           I
           had
           so
           done
           ,
           by
           what
           means
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           Mr.
           K
           ,
           hearing
           of
           my
           proceeding
           in
           this
           matter
           (
           though
           I
           think
           he
           knew
           little
           of
           question
           or
           Answer
           )
           sets
           Pen
           to
           Paper
           ,
           and
           draws
           up
           four
           Arguments
           for
           the
           Justification
           of
           those
           Meetings
           .
           The
           which
           ,
           when
           done
           ,
           were
           sent
           down
           into
           our
           parts
           ;
           not
           to
           me
           ,
           but
           to
           some
           of
           his
           own
           perswasion
           ,
           who
           kept
           them
           ,
           or
           sent
           them
           ,
           or
           lent
           them
           whether
           they
           thought
           good
           :
           And
           so
           about
           two
           years
           after
           ,
           with
           this
           note
           immediatly
           following
           ,
           they
           were
           conveyed
           to
           my
           hand
           .
        
         
           
             
               Bro
               :
               Bunyan
               ,
               
                 This
                 enclosed
                 ,
                 was
                 sent
                 to
                 me
                 from
                 godly
                 Women
                 ,
                 whose
                 Custom
                 for
                 a
                 long
                 time
                 hath
                 bin
                 to
                 meet
                 together
                 to
                 pray
                 :
                 who
                 hearing
                 of
                 your
                 contrary
                 Opinion
                 ,
                 sent
                 this
                 .
                 It
                 came
                 from
                 Mr.
              
               K.
               
                 who
                 would
                 desire
                 to
                 know
                 what
                 objections
                 you
                 have
                 against
                 it
                 :
                 and
                 he
                 is
                 ready
                 to
                 give
                 his
                 further
                 advice
                 .
                 Pray
                 be
                 pleased
                 to
                 give
                 your
                 Answer
                 in
                 writting
                 ,
                 for
                 Mr.
              
               K.
               
                 Expects
                 it
              
               .
            
             
               Pray
               be
               pleased
               to
               leave
               your
               Answer
               with
               
                 S.
                 F.
              
               in
               Bedford
               .
            
             
               
                 your
                 Friends
                 in
                 the
                 Lord
                 ,
                 
                   S.
                   B.
                   S.
                   F.
                
                 
              
            
          
        
         
         
           Now
           having
           received
           the
           Papers
           ,
           and
           considering
           the
           contents
           thereof
           :
           I
           was
           at
           First
           at
           a
           question
           with
           my self
           ,
           whether
           the
           thing
           was
           feigned
           ,
           or
           true
           ;
           and
           
             to
             that
             purpose
          
           ,
           writt
           to
           these
           Women
           again
           :
           But
           calling
           to
           minde
           ,
           that
           I
           had
           heard
           something
           of
           this
           before
           ,
           I
           concluded
           there
           was
           ground
           to
           believe
           as
           I
           doe
           :
           And
           so
           resolved
           to
           Answer
           his
           Demand
           and
           Expectation
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           say
           nothing
           more
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           I
           will
           next
           present
           you
           with
           the
           Arguments
           he
           sent
           ,
           and
           then
           with
           my
           manner
           of
           handling
           of
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           he
           begins
           with
           this
           question
           ,
           
             Whether
             Women
             fearing
             God
             may
             Meet
             to
             pray
             together
             ,
             and
             whether
             it
             be
             Lawfull
             for
             them
             so
             to
             do
             ?
             which
             done
             ,
             he
             fals
             to
             a
             Wonderment
             ,
             saying
             ,
             It
             seems
             very
             strange
             to
             me
             ,
             that
             any
             who
             profess
             the
             Fear
             of
             God
             ,
             can
             make
             any
             question
             touching
             the
             Lawfulness
             thereof
             :
             The
             rule
             for
             praying
             being
             so
             General
             to
             all
             ,
             and
             there
             being
             so
             many
             Instances
             for
             the
             Practice
             thereof
             ,
             upon
             several
             occasions
             in
             the
             Word
             of
             God
             ,
             for
             their
             incouragement
             therein
             .
          
        
         
           In
           the
           next
           place
           he
           presents
           us
           with
           his
           Arguments
           ,
           which
           are
           in
           Number
           four
           ,
           but
           in
           
             Verity
             not
             one
          
           ,
           to
           prove
           that
           thing
           for
           the
           which
           he
           urgeth
           them
           :
           as
           I
           hope
           to
           make
           appear
           by
           that
           I
           have
           done
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             saith
             he
             ,
             If
             Women
             may
             prayse
             God
             together
             for
             Mercies
             received
             for
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             or
             for
             themselves
             :
             Then
             they
             may
             pray
             together
             :
             the
             Proof
             whereof
             is
             plain
             ,
          
           Exod.
           15.20
           ,
           21.
           
           
             If
             it
             be
             objected
             the
             Case
             was
             Extraordinary
             ,
             and
             that
          
           Miriam
           
             was
             a
             Prophetess
             ;
             To
             which
             I
             Answer
             ,
             That
             the
             danger
             of
             Ruin
             and
             Destruction
             ,
             and
             our
             deliverance
             from
             it
             (
             if
             the
             Lord
             grant
             it
             )
             cannot
             be
             looked
             at
             but
             as
             Extraordinary
             :
             The
             designs
             of
             ruin
             to
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             Servants
             of
             God
             ,
             being
             as
             great
             as
             at
             that
             time
             when
             God
             delivered
             his
             People
             from
             the
             hand
             of
          
           Pharoah
           .
           
             And
             will
             call
             for
             praises
             ,
             if
             the
             Lord
             please
             to
             send
             it
             ,
             as
             then
             .
             And
             whereas
             it
             is
             further
             objected
             ,
             that
          
           Miriam
           
             was
             an
             Extraordinary
             Person
             ;
             To
             which
             I
             Answer
             ,
             That
             the
             Duty
             it self
             of
             praising
             God
             for
             the
             Mercie
             ,
             was
             incumbent
             upon
             all
             ,
             in
             as
             much
             as
             they
             were
             all
             partakers
             of
             the
             Mercie
             .
             And
             the
             same
             Spirit
             of
             Christ
             that
             was
             in
             her
             ,
             is
             also
             in
             all
             his
             Servants
             :
             Given
             for
             the
             same
             End
             ,
             both
             to
             Pray
             for
             Mercies
             ,
             we
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             ,
             and
             to
             praise
             God
             for
             .
          
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ,
           
             If
             Women
             have
             in
             eminent
             danger
             to
             themselves
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             God
             ,
             Prayed
             joyntly
             together
             for
             deliverance
             ,
             and
             God
             hath
             Answered
             and
             approved
             of
             the
             same
             :
             then
             may
             Women
             joyntly
             pray
             together
             .
             The
             instance
             we
             have
             is
             famous
             ,
          
           Esther
           .
           4.16
           .
           
             We
             there
             see
             shee
             and
             her
             Maidens
             did
             pray
             and
             fast
             together
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             gave
             a
             gracious
             Answer
             and
             deliverance
             .
          
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           
             If
             God
             hath
             in
             Gospel
             times
             promised
             the
             powring
             out
             of
             his
             Spirit
             to
             Women
             ,
             to
             that
             very
             end
             that
             they
             may
             pray
             together
             apart
             from
             Men
             ;
             Then
             it
             is
             not
             only
             their
             Liberty
             ,
             but
             Duty
             to
             Meet
             and
             Pray
             together
             .
             But
             God
             hath
             promised
             his
             Spirit
             to
             that
             end
             .
          
           Zech.
           12.10
           ,
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           
           
             Which
             Scripture
             ,
             't
             is
             plain
             ,
             is
             a
             promise
             of
             Gospel
             times
             .
             And
             it
             is
             to
             be
             noted
             that
             the
             Text
             doth
             not
             in
             the
             singular
             number
             ,
             say
             ,
             HE
             shall
             Pray
             apart
             ,
             and.
             HIS
             Wife
             apart
             .
             But
             THEY
             shall
             Pray
             apart
             ,
             and
             THEIR
             Wives
             apart
             .
             And
          
           Malachi
           3.16
           .
           
             God
             takes
             notice
             of
             all
             them
             that
             speak
             often
             together
             ,
             and
             CALL
             upon
             his
             name
             .
          
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           
             If
             God
             hath
             so
             approved
             of
             Womens
             Meeting
             together
             to
             Pray
             in
             Gospel
             times
             ,
             as
             then
             ,
             and
             at
             that
             time
             to
             take
             an
             advantage
             to
             make
             known
             to
             them
             his
             mind
             and
             will
             concerning
             Jesus
             Christ
             :
             then
             it
             is
             Lawfull
             for
             Women
             to
             Pray
             together
             .
             But
             ,
             God
             hath
             so
             approved
             of
             their
             Meeting
             to
             Pray
             together
             ,
          
           Acts
           16.13
           .
           
             By
             which
             Text
             it
             appeareth
             it
             was
             a
             frequent
             practise
             for
             Women
             to
             Meet
             and
             Pray
             together
             .
          
        
         
           These
           are
           Mr.
           K's
           Arguments
           ,
           the
           Conclusion
           of
           his
           Paper
           Follows
           .
        
         
           
             And
             besides
             ALL
             these
             particular
             instances
          
           (
           says
           he
           )
           
             what
             means
             those
             General
             rules
             to
             build
             up
             one
             another
             in
             our
             most
             Holy
             Faith
             ,
             and
             Pray
             in
             the
             Holy
             Ghost
             ,
          
           Jude
           20.
           
           
             But
             it
             extends
             to
             all
             that
             believe
             ,
          
           both
           Men
           and
           Women
           ;
           
             unless
             any
             will
             say
             Women
             are
             not
             to
             be
             built
             up
             in
             their
             most
             Holy
             Faith.
             Therefore
             let
             not
             any
             hinder
             you
             from
             a
             Duty
             so
             incumbent
             upon
             you
             in
             a
             special
             manner
             ,
             in
             such
             a
             day
             as
             this
             is
             .
             Cannot
             many
             Women
             that
             have
             used
             this
             practise
             ,
             by
             experience
             ,
             say
             ,
             they
             have
             met
             with
             the
             Lord
             in
             it
             ,
             and
             have
             found
             many
             blessed
             returns
             of
             prayer
             from
             God
             ,
             both
             to
             themselves
             and
             the
             Church
             ,
             wherein
             God
             hath
             owned
             them
             ?
             Therefore
             what
             God
             hath
             Born
             Witness
             to
             ,
             and
             approved
             of
             ,
             let
             no
             Man
             deter
             you
             from
             .
             Pray
             turn
             to
             the
             Scriptures
             quoted
             ,
             which
             I
             hope
             will
             give
             you
             full
             Satisfaction
             .
          
        
         
         
           These
           are
           his
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           this
           his
           Conclusion
           ,
           in
           which
           I
           cannot
           but
           say
           ,
           there
           is
           ,
           not
           only
           Boldness
           ,
           but
           Flattery
           .
           Boldness
           ,
           in
           Fathering
           of
           his
           mis-understanding
           upon
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           :
           and
           Flattery
           ,
           in
           Soothing
           up
           Persons
           in
           a
           way
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           by
           making
           of
           them
           the
           Judges
           in
           their
           own
           cause
           :
           the
           which
           I
           hope
           to
           make
           further
           appear
           anon
           .
        
         
           For
           since
           his
           Women
           in
           their
           Letter
           told
           me
           that
           Mr.
           K.
           expects
           my
           Answer
           ,
           I
           count
           my self
           called
           to
           shew
           the
           unsoundness
           of
           his
           Opinion
           .
           Indeed
           he
           would
           ,
           as
           they
           insinuate
           ,
           confine
           me
           to
           Answer
           
             by
             Writing
          
           :
           But
           his
           Papers
           have
           been
           I
           know
           not
           where
           ,
           and
           how
           to
           put
           check
           to
           his
           Extravagancies
           ,
           that
           also
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ,
           but
           by
           Scattering
           mine
           abroad
           .
           And
           as
           I
           will
           not
           be
           confined
           to
           an
           Answer
           in
           Writing
           :
           So
           neither
           to
           his
           methods
           of
           Argumentation
           .
           What
           Scholar
           he
           is
           ,
           I
           know
           not
           ;
           for
           my
           part
           ,
           I
           am
           not
           ashamed
           to
           Confess
           ,
           that
           I
           neither
           know
           the
           Mode
           nor
           Figure
           of
           a
           Sylogism
           ,
           nor
           scarce
           which
           is
           Major
           or
           Minor.
           Methinks
           I
           perceive
           but
           little
           sence
           ,
           and
           far
           less
           truth
           in
           his
           Arguments
           :
           also
           I
           hold
           that
           he
           has
           stretched
           and
           strained
           the
           Holy
           Word
           out
           of
           place
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           ,
           if
           it
           might
           have
           bin
           ,
           to
           shore
           up
           his
           fond
           conceits
           .
           I
           shall
           therefore
           First
           take
           these
           Texts
           from
           the
           Errors
           to
           which
           he
           hath
           joyned
           them
           ,
           and
           then
           fall
           to
           picking
           the
           bones
           of
           his
           Sylogismes
           .
        
         
           But
           as
           I
           shall
           not
           confine
           my self
           to
           his
           mode
           and
           way
           of
           Arguing
           :
           So
           neither
           shall
           I
           take
           notice
           of
           his
           question
           upon
           which
           he
           stateth
           the
           matter
           in
           Controversie
           .
           But
           shall
           propound
           the
           same
           question
           here
           ,
           which
           for
           the
           substance
           of
           it
           ,
           was
           handled
           among
           us
           ,
           when
           the
           thing
           it self
           was
           in
           doubt
           among
           us
           ,
           Namly
           ,
        
         
           
             Whether
             ,
             where
             a
             Church
             of
             Christ
             is
             Situate
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             Duty
             of
             the
             Women
             of
             that
             Congregation
             ,
             Ordinarily
             ,
             and
             by
             Appointment
             ,
             to
             Separate
             themselves
             from
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             so
             to
             Assemble
             together
             ,
             to
             perform
             some
             parts
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             ,
             as
             Prayer
             &c.
             without
             their
             Men
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           was
           our
           question
           ,
           this
           we
           debated
           ,
           and
           this
           Mr.
           K.
           might
           have
           sent
           for
           ,
           and
           have
           spoken
           to
           ,
           since
           he
           will
           needs
           be
           a
           confuter
           .
        
         
           And
           courteous
           Reader
           ,
           since
           I
           have
           here
           presented
           thee
           with
           the
           Question
           ,
           I
           will
           also
           present
           thee
           with
           the
           method
           which
           
           I
           took
           when
           I
           handled
           it
           among
           my
           Brethren
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             I
             opened
             the
             Termes
             of
             the
             Question
             .
          
           
             2.
             
             Then
             shewed
             what
             Assemblies
             they
             were
             that
             used
             to
             perform
             divine
             Worship
             to
             God.
             
          
           
             3.
             
             And
             so
             shewed
             whose
             Prayers
             in
             such
             Worship
             was
             used
             ,
             or
             by
             Paul
             and
             others
             desired
             .
          
        
         
           For
           the
           First
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             By
             Church
             of
             Christ
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             one
             gathered
             or
             Constituted
             by
             ,
             and
             walking
             after
             the
             Rule
             of
             the
             Word
             of
             God.
             
          
           
             2.
             
             By
             Situate
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             where
             such
             Church
             shall
             happen
             to
             be
             ,
             in
             whole
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             parts
             thereof
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             By
             Separating
             ,
             I
             mean
             ,
             their
             Meetings
             together
             by
             appointment
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             and
             as
             so
             met
             ,
             to
             attempt
             to
             performe
             divine
             Worship
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             without
             their
             Men.
             
          
        
         
           Having
           thus
           explained
           the
           Question
           ;
           I
           ,
           as
           a
           preparatory
           to
           a
           solution
           thereof
           ,
           come
           next
           to
           shew
           what
           manner
           of
           Assemblies
           they
           were
           that
           used
           to
           perform
           divine
           Worship
           to
           God
           of
           Old.
           
        
         
           Now
           I
           finde
           that
           there
           have
           been
           three
           Sorts
           of
           Assemblies
           ,
           in
           which
           divine
           Worship
           has
           been
           performed
           :
        
         
           1st
           .
           It
           has
           been
           performed
           in
           mixed
           Assemblies
           ;
           in
           Assemblies
           made
           up
           of
           Saints
           and
           Sinners
           .
           I
           say
           divine
           Worship
           has
           been
           performed
           IN
           such
           Assemblies
           ,
           for
           that
           there
           the
           Saints
           have
           been
           Edified
           ,
           Sinners
           convinced
           and
           converted
           ,
           and
           made
           to
           confess
           their
           Sins
           ,
           to
           the
           Glory
           of
           God.
           Of
           these
           Assemblies
           we
           read
           ,
           Matt.
           5.1
           .
           Chap.
           13.1
           .
           Chap.
           23.
           
           Marc.
           4.1
           .
           Chap.
           2.1
           .
           Chap.
           6.2
           .
           Chap.
           10.
           
           Luk.
           5.
           
           Chap.
           8.
           
           Chap.
           12.
           
           Chap.
           13.
           
           Chap.
           15.
           
           Chap.
           20.
           1
           
           Cor.
           14.24
           .
           And
           in
           many
           other
           Scriptures
           .
        
         
           2ly
           .
           I
           also
           find
           that
           the
           Church
           ,
           by
           herself
           ;
           or
           as
           distinct
           from
           the
           World
           ,
           have
           met
           together
           to
           perform
           it
           by
           themselves
           .
           Mar.
           4.34
           .
           Acts.
           12
           ,
           4.
           
           Chap.
           13.1
           ,
           2.
           
           Chap.
           15.4
           .
           Chap.
           20.7
           ,
           8.
           
           Joh.
           20.19
           ,
           26.
           
        
         
           3ly
           .
           I
           find
           also
           that
           Assemblies
           for
           divine
           Worship
           have
           been
           made
           up
           .
           of
           the
           Elders
           ,
           and
           Principal
           Brethren
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           none
           of
           the
           rest
           of
           the
           Congregation
           being
           present
           ,
           Matt.
           10.1
           .
           Luk.
           9.1
           .
           Acts
           1.3
           .
           Chap.
           2.17
           ,
           18.
           
           Gal.
           2.1.2
           .
           with
           several
           other
           Scriptures
           beside
           .
        
         
           But
           in
           all
           the
           Scripture
           ,
           I
           find
           not
           that
           the
           Women
           of
           the
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           did
           use
           to
           separate
           themselves
           from
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           and
           as
           so
           separate
           ,
           performe
           Worship
           together
           among
           themselves
           ,
           
           or
           in
           that
           their
           Congregation
           :
           or
           that
           they
           made
           ,
           by
           allowance
           of
           the
           Word
           ,
           appointment
           so
           to
           do
           .
           Thus
           far
           therefore
           this
           must
           stand
           for
           a
           humane
           invention
           ,
           and
           Mr.
           K.
           for
           the
           promoter
           thereof
           .
        
         
           3ly
           .
           This
           done
           ,
           in
           the
           third
           place
           ,
           I
           come
           to
           shew
           you
           whose
           Prayers
           ,
           or
           by
           whose
           mouth
           Prayer
           in
           such
           Assemblies
           ,
           as
           are
           above
           proved
           Lawful
           ,
           used
           to
           be
           made
           ,
           or
           by
           Paul
           or
           others
           were
           desired
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Whose
           Prayers
           were
           used
           ,
           or
           who
           was
           the
           mouth
           ;
           and
           I
           find
           them
           called
           the
           Prayers
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           General
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Principal
           Men
           thereof
           in
           particular
           ,
           Judg
           2.4
           ,
           5.
           
           Chap.
           20.8.26
           .
           Jorl
           1.14
           .
           Chap.
           2.15
           ,
           16.
           
           Acts
           12.5
           .
           Acts
           13.1
           ,
           3.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           Also
           when
           Paul
           ,
           or
           others
           desired
           that
           Prayers
           should
           be
           made
           of
           others
           for
           them
           :
           They
           either
           desired
           the
           Prayers
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           General
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Brethren
           in
           particular
           (
           but
           never
           desireth
           ,
           or
           biddeth
           a
           Womans
           Meeting
           ,
           that
           Prayers
           might
           there
           be
           made
           for
           them
           .
           )
        
         
           1.
           
           He
           desireth
           the
           Prayers
           of
           the
           Church
           in
           General
           ,
           Col.
           4.2
           .
           Philipi
           .
           1.9
           .
           Chap.
           4.6
           .
           1
           Thes.
           5.17
           .
           Heb.
           13.18
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Or
           if
           he
           desireth
           Prayers
           of
           certain
           Persons
           ,
           he
           only
           calls
           upon
           on
           the
           Men
           and
           Brethren
           in
           particular
           ,
           but
           never
           upon
           a
           Woman
           by
           name
           nor
           Sex
           ,
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           1
           Thes.
           5.25
           .
           2
           Thes.
           3.1
           .
           Rom.
           15.30
           .
           1
           Tim.
           2.8
           .
           Nor
           was
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           ,
           the
           Apostle
           alone
           in
           this
           thing
           .
           Christ
           speaks
           a
           Parable
           to
           this
           end
           ,
           that
           MEN
           ought
           always
           to
           Pray
           .
           James
           saith
           the
           effectual
           fervent
           Prayer
           of
           a
           righteous
           MAN.
           Moses
           sent
           the
           young
           Men
           to
           Sacrifice
           :
           And
           the
           People
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Zacharias
           ,
           sent
           their
           MEN
           to
           Pray
           before
           the
           Lord
           ,
           Luk.
           18.1
           .
           Jam.
           5.16
           .
           Exod.
           24.5
           .
           Zach.
           7.2
           .
           I
           do
           not
           believe
           that
           by
           any
           of
           these
           ,
           the
           Prayers
           of
           Women
           are
           despised
           ,
           but
           by
           these
           we
           are
           taught
           ,
           who
           ,
           as
           the
           mouth
           in
           Assemblies
           to
           Pray
           ,
           is
           commended
           unto
           us
           .
        
         
           One
           Word
           more
           ,
           The
           Women
           in
           the
           time
           of
           Jeremy
           the
           Prophet
           ,
           when
           they
           had
           made
           their
           Cakes
           to
           the
           Queen
           of
           Heaven
           ;
           (
           tho
           the
           thing
           which
           they
           did
           was
           as
           right
           in
           their
           own
           eyes
           ,
           as
           if
           they
           had
           done
           true
           Worship
           indeed
           )
           and
           was
           Questioned
           by
           the
           Prophet
           for
           what
           they
           had
           done
           ,
           could
           not
           Justifie
           what
           they
           had
           done
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           Act
           ,
           but
           by
           pleading
           ,
           
             They
             did
             it
             not
             without
             their
             Men.
          
           Jer.
           44.17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19.
           
        
         
           
             Thus
             having
             premised
             these
             few
             things
             ,
             I
             shall
             now
             come
             more
             directly
             
             to
             discourse
             of
             the
             Question
             it self
             ,
             TO
             WIT
             ,
             Whether
             ,
             where
             a
             Church
             of
             Christ
             is
             Situate
             ,
             it
             is
             the
             Duty
             of
             the
             Women
             of
             that
             Congregation
             ,
             Ordinarily
             ,
             and
             by
             appointment
             ,
             to
             separate
             themselves
             from
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             as
             so
             separate
             ,
             to
             assemble
             together
             to
             perform
             divine
             Worship
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             without
             their
             Men
             ?
          
        
         
           This
           was
           our
           Question
           ,
           and
           this
           I
           will
           now
           give
           a
           Negative
           Answer
           unto
           .
           For
           I
           find
           not
           in
           Christs
           Testament
           any
           command
           so
           to
           do
           ;
           no
           nor
           yet
           Example
           :
           and
           where
           there
           is
           none
           of
           these
           ,
           it
           cannot
           be
           a
           Duty
           upon
           them
           ;
           no
           ,
           nor
           yet
           Liberty
           ,
           but
           presumption
           to
           attempt
           it
           .
        
         
           The
           Command
           ,
           says
           Mr.
           K.
           is
           General
           to
           All.
           But
           I
           Answer
           ,
           yet
           limited
           ,
           and
           confined
           to
           Order
           ,
           and
           manner
           of
           Performance
           :
           Women
           may
           ,
           yea
           ought
           to
           Pray
           ;
           what
           then
           ?
           Is
           it
           their
           Duty
           to
           help
           to
           carry
           on
           Prayer
           in
           Publick
           Assemblies
           with
           Men
           ,
           
             as
             they
          
           ?
           Are
           they
           to
           be
           the
           audible
           mouth
           there
           ,
           before
           all
           ,
           
             to
             God
          
           ?
           No
           verily
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           command
           is
           General
           to
           all
           to
           Pray
           .
           Women
           of
           the
           respective
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           ,
           have
           no
           command
           to
           separate
           themselves
           from
           the
           Men
           of
           their
           Congregations
           ,
           to
           perform
           Prayer
           in
           their
           own
           Company
           without
           them
           ,
           and
           yet
           the
           command
           is
           General
           to
           all
           to
           Pray
           .
        
         
           We
           must
           therefore
           distinguish
           of
           Persons
           and
           performances
           ,
           though
           we
           may
           not
           exclude
           either
           .
           The
           manner
           also
           ,
           and
           Order
           in
           which
           such
           and
           such
           Duties
           must
           be
           done
           ,
           Mr.
           K.
           knows
           is
           as
           Essential
           ,
           in
           some
           cases
           ,
           as
           the
           very
           matter
           of
           VVorship
           .
        
         
           But
           we
           will
           come
           to
           my
           reasons
           for
           my
           dissenting
           from
           Mr.
           K.
           in
           this
           .
           After
           which
           I
           will
           consider
           his
           Arguments
           ,
           and
           the
           Scriptures
           that
           he
           would
           under-prop
           them
           with
           .
           As
           for
           my
           reasons
           for
           my
           dissenting
           from
           him
           ,
           they
           are
           these
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           To
           appoint
           Meetings
           for
           divine
           VVorship
           ,
           either
           in
           the
           whole
           Church
           or
           in
           the
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           
             Is
             an
             Act
             of
             Power
          
           :
           which
           Power
           ,
           resideth
           in
           the
           Elders
           in
           particular
           ,
           or
           in
           the
           Church
           in
           General
           .
           But
           never
           in
           the
           VVomen
           as
           considered
           by
           themselves
           .
           Mr.
           K.
           indeed
           doth
           insinuate
           that
           this
           Power
           also
           resideth
           in
           them
           ;
           for
           he
           saith
           ,
           God
           hath
           in
           Gospel
           times
           promised
           the
           Spirit
           to
           Women
           
             to
             that
             very
             end
             that
          
           they
           may
           Pray
           together
           ,
           apart
           from
           Men.
           Now
           if
           the
           Spirit
           is
           given
           them
           to
           THIS
           very
           end
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           do
           it
           apart
           from
           Men
           ,
           then
           they
           have
           a
           Power
           residing
           in
           themselves
           to
           call
           their
           own
           Sex
           together
           to
           do
           it
           .
           And
           what
           brave
           
           doings
           will
           such
           a
           conclusion
           make
           ,
           even
           the
           blind
           himself
           will
           perceive
           .
           But
           further
           of
           this
           anon
           ;
           mean
           while
           we
           will
           our
           own
           assertion
           attend
           .
        
         
           
             Namly
             ,
             That
             to
             call
             the
             Church
             or
             parts
             thereof
             together
             to
             perform
             divine
             Worship
             to
             God
             ,
             is
             an
             ACT
             of
             POWER
             ,
             which
             power
             resideth
             in
             the
             Church
             in
             General
             ,
             or
             in
             the
             Elders
             in
             particular
             .
          
           We
           will
           treat
           of
           the
           last
           first
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           
             For
             the
             Eldership
             ,
             Moses
          
           and
           Aaron
           of
           Old
           were
           they
           ,
           with
           the
           Priests
           ,
           that
           were
           to
           call
           the
           Church
           together
           to
           perform
           divine
           Worship
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           that
           both
           as
           to
           the
           whole
           ,
           or
           as
           to
           the
           parts
           of
           it
           ,
           Numb
           .
           10.7.8
           .
           Deut.
           4.14
           .
           Chap.
           31.11
           ,
           12.
           
           Exo.
           4.29
           .
           Chap.
           12.21
           .
           Chap.
           17.5
        
         
           Also
           in
           after
           times
           ,
           they
           were
           the
           Elders
           and
           chief
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           did
           it
           ,
           Josh.
           24.1
           .
           Ezra
           10.5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           Acts
           14.26
           ,
           27.
           
           Chap.
           15.3
           .
        
         
           Or
           if
           their
           calling
           together
           to
           performe
           divine
           Worship
           ,
           was
           not
           by
           the
           Elders
           alone
           :
           Yet
           it
           was
           by
           the
           Power
           that
           resided
           in
           the
           Church
           for
           that
           thing
           ,
           who
           joyntly
           ordered
           the
           same
           ,
           Judg.
           20.8.18
           .
           Ezra
           3.1
           .
           Zeph.
           2.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           Acts
           12.12
           .
           1
           Cor.
           5.4
           .
           Chap.
           11
           20.
           
        
         
           All
           these
           are
           plain
           cases
           .
           But
           never
           ,
           as
           I
           ever
           did
           read
           of
           in
           the
           Bible
           ,
           did
           Women
           ,
           Ordinary
           beliving
           ones
           ,
           assume
           this
           Power
           of
           the
           Elders
           ,
           or
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           themselves
           .
        
         
           If
           it
           be
           asked
           who
           did
           appoint
           that
           Meeting
           made
           mention
           of
           Acts
           12.12
           ?
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           'T
           was
           appointed
           by
           the
           Power
           of
           the
           Church
           ,
           who
           for
           her
           own
           conveniencie
           (
           if
           she
           cannot
           come
           all
           into
           one
           place
           at
           once
           ,
           to
           perform
           the
           Duty
           ,
           as
           't
           is
           not
           likely
           four
           or
           five
           thousand
           should
           ,
           in
           times
           of
           persecution
           ,
           which
           was
           their
           case
           )
           may
           meet
           ,
           some
           here
           ;
           some
           ,
           there
           ;
           for
           their
           Edification
           ,
           and
           comfort
           ;
           compare
           Vers.
           5.
           with
           Vers.
           12
           ,
           and
           Vers.
           17.
           
        
         
           Nor
           ,
           do
           I
           Question
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           this
           or
           that
           part
           of
           the
           Churches
           Assembling
           together
           for
           Prayer
           :
           Tho
           the
           Elders
           ,
           and
           greatest
           part
           of
           the
           Brethren
           be
           absent
           :
           If
           first
           such
           MEN
           that
           call
           such
           Assemblies
           are
           countenanced
           by
           the
           Elders
           ,
           or
           Church
           ,
           to
           do
           it
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           2.8
           .
           2
           Tim.
           2.22
           .
           But
           that
           the
           Sisters
           of
           this
           or
           that
           Church
           ,
           may
           call
           their
           own
           Sex
           together
           to
           perform
           such
           Worship
           by
           themselves
           to
           God
           (
           for
           this
           is
           the
           thing
           in
           debate
           )
           I
           finde
           no
           warrant
           for
        
         
         
           Secondly
           ;
           
             Because
             ,
             This
             kind
             of
             Worship
             ,
             when
             done
             in
             and
             by
             a
             Company
             ,
             is
             MINISTERIAL
             to
             that
             Company
             ,
             as
             well
             as
             petitionary
             to
             God.
          
           That
           is
           ,
           they
           that
           as
           the
           mouth
           in
           Assemblies
           Pray
           to
           God
           ,
           teach
           that
           Assembly
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           beg
           mercies
           of
           him
           .
           And
           I
           finde
           not
           that
           Women
           may
           Assemble
           to
           do
           thus
           .
           That
           such
           Prayer
           is
           a
           kind
           of
           Ministring
           in
           the
           Word
           to
           Standers
           by
           ,
           consider
           well
           1
           Cor.
           14.15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19.
           
           Wherefore
           let
           them
           keep
           silence
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           in
           the
           parts
           thereof
           ,
           when
           Assembled
           to
           Worship
           God.
           
        
         
           In
           all
           Publick
           Worship
           by
           Prayer
           ,
           Teaching
           is
           set
           on
           foot
           ,
           two
           wayes
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               By
               propounding
               to
               that
               Assembly
               the
               things
               that
               must
               by
               agreement
               be
               Prayed
               for
               :
            
             
               2.
               
               And
               by
               proving
               them
               to
               suit
               with
               the
               will
               of
               God
               ,
               that
               Prayer
               may
               be
               made
               in
               Faith
               (
               1
               Joh.
               5.14
               .
               )
            
          
        
         
           For
           all
           such
           Prayer
           must
           be
           made
           for
           the
           things
           agreed
           upon
           first
           :
           and
           consequently
           for
           things
           that
           by
           the
           Word
           are
           proved
           good
           ,
           and
           sutable
           for
           the
           Seasons
           ,
           Persons
           ,
           or
           things
           ,
           for
           ,
           or
           about
           which
           such
           Prayers
           are
           made
           .
           For
           they
           that
           have
           Meetings
           for
           Prayer
           ,
           without
           this
           ,
           Pray
           at
           random
           ,
           and
           not
           by
           Rule
           .
        
         
           
             If
             two
             of
             you
             shall
             agree
             on
             earth
             ,
             as
             touching
             any
             thing
             that
             they
             shall
             ask
             (
             according
             to
             Gods
             will
             )
             it
             shall
             be
             done
             for
             them
             ,
          
           saith
           Christ
           ,
           
             of
             my
             Father
             which
             is
             in
             Heaven
             ,
          
           Matt.
           18.19
           .
        
         
           Now
           ,
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           things
           Prayed
           for
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           must
           first
           be
           joyntly
           agreed
           upon
           ;
           then
           must
           such
           things
           by
           some
           one
           ,
           or
           more
           of
           that
           Assembly
           ,
           be
           first
           
             Propounded
             ,
             Expounded
          
           ,
           and
           Proved
           to
           be
           good
           by
           the
           Word
           .
           Good
           for
           such
           Persons
           ,
           Seasons
           ,
           or
           things
           ,
           for
           which
           such
           Prayer
           is
           made
           .
           And
           besides
           the
           Gifts
           required
           to
           do
           this
           ,
           if
           this
           is
           not
           Teaching
           ,
           I
           am
           out
           .
           And
           yet
           this
           must
           first
           be
           done
           to
           instruct
           all
           present
           ,
           to
           help
           their
           Faith
           ,
           and
           to
           quicken
           their
           Spirits
           to
           ,
           and
           in
           that
           Worship
           .
           That
           they
           may
           as
           one
           Man
           have
           their
           Eyes
           unto
           the
           Lord
           ,
           Zech.
           9.1
           .
        
         
           But
           that
           this
           Power
           is
           given
           to
           Women
           ,
           to
           Ordinary
           believing
           ones
           that
           are
           in
           the
           highest
           account
           in
           Churches
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           believe
           .
           I
           do
           not
           believe
           they
           should
           Minister
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           before
           the
           whole
           Church
           ,
           for
           then
           I
           should
           be
           a
           Ranter
           or
           a
           Quaker
           ;
           Nor
           do
           I
           believe
           they
           should
           do
           it
           in
           their
           own
           Womanish
           Assembly
           ,
           for
           the
           reason
           urged
           before
           .
        
         
           And
           I
           will
           add
           ,
           if
           Brethren
           not
           heretofore
           called
           by
           the
           Church
           to
           open
           Scriptures
           ,
           or
           to
           speak
           in
           the
           Church
           to
           God
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           are
           
           not
           at
           first
           to
           be
           admitted
           to
           do
           this
           ,
           but
           before
           the
           Elders
           or
           Principal
           Brethren
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           hear
           and
           Judge
           (
           1
           Cor.
           14.26
           ,
           27
           ,
           28
           ,
           29.
           )
           how
           can
           it
           be
           thought
           to
           be
           meet
           or
           lawful
           for
           Women
           ,
           of
           whom
           it
           must
           be
           supposed
           ,
           that
           they
           have
           received
           no
           such
           Gifts
           ,
           that
           they
           should
           use
           this
           Power
           ?
           I
           say
           ,
           how
           can
           it
           be
           imagined
           that
           the
           Women
           should
           be
           bound
           of
           God
           to
           do
           this
           in
           such
           Sort
           as
           doth
           utterly
           exclude
           the
           Elders
           and
           all
           the
           Men
           in
           the
           Congregation
           from
           a
           possibility
           of
           understanding
           and
           of
           Judging
           of
           what
           they
           do
           ?
           And
           yet
           this
           is
           the
           Doctrine
           of
           Mr.
           K.
           For
           he
           saith
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Spirit
             of
             God
             is
             promised
             to
             Women
             to
             this
             very
             end
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             Pray
             together
             ,
             apart
             from
             Men.
          
           But
           God
           is
           not
           the
           Author
           of
           this
           Confusion
           in
           the
           Churches
           .
        
         
           2ly
           .
           But
           Secondly
           ,
           As
           teaching
           by
           Prayer
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           is
           thus
           set
           on
           foot
           ;
           so
           every
           one
           also
           that
           shall
           in
           such
           Meetings
           be
           the
           mouth
           of
           the
           whole
           ,
           to
           God
           ,
           Ministreth
           ,
           SO
           ,
           Doctrine
           to
           that
           Assembly
           ,
           as
           well
           as
           presenteth
           petitions
           to
           God.
           Else
           how
           can
           that
           Assembly
           say
           AMEN
           at
           their
           Prayer
           or
           giving
           of
           thanks
           ?
           For
           to
           say
           ,
           AMEN
           ,
           is
           an
           effect
           of
           Conviction
           ,
           or
           of
           Edification
           received
           of
           the
           stander
           by
           ,
           from
           him
           that
           now
           is
           so
           Ministring
           in
           that
           Assembly
           before
           God
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           14
           ,
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           
        
         
           Yea
           ,
           I
           believe
           that
           they
           that
           Pray
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           or
           that
           shall
           give
           thanks
           for
           Mercies
           received
           there
           ,
           Ought
           to
           labor
           to
           speak
           ,
           not
           only
           with
           fervency
           of
           Words
           ,
           but
           with
           such
           soundness
           of
           Doctrine
           ,
           while
           they
           mention
           ,
           urge
           ,
           or
           plead
           the
           promise
           with
           God
           ,
           that
           that
           whole
           Assembly
           may
           be
           enlightned
           ,
           taught
           ,
           taken
           ,
           and
           carried
           away
           in
           their
           Spirits
           ,
           on
           the
           wing
           of
           that
           Prayer
           ,
           and
           of
           Faith
           ,
           to
           God
           ,
           whose
           face
           they
           are
           come
           to
           seek
           ,
           and
           whose
           Grace
           they
           are
           gathered
           together
           to
           beg
           .
           Now
           this
           is
           called
           Praying
           and
           Praising
           ,
           to
           the
           Teaching
           and
           Edifying
           of
           others
           ,
           as
           by
           the
           Scripture
           afore
           named
           is
           made
           appear
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           14.14
           ,
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18
           ,
           19.
           
           But
           by
           what
           Word
           of
           God
           the
           Sisters
           of
           the
           respective
           Churches
           may
           set
           up
           this
           way
           of
           Teaching
           of
           one
           another
           in
           their
           Assemblies
           ,
           I
           am
           ignorant
           of
           .
           For.
           
        
         
           Thirdly
           ,
           The
           Holy
           Ghost
           doth
           particularly
           insist
           upon
           the
           inability
           of
           Women
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           well
           managing
           of
           the
           Worship
           now
           under
           Consideration
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           presumed
           upon
           by
           them
           .
           They
           are
           forbidden
           to
           teach
           ,
           yea
           to
           speak
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God.
           And
           why
           forbidden
           ,
           but
           because
           of
           their
           inability
           .
           They
           
           cannot
           orderly
           manage
           that
           Worship
           to
           God
           that
           in
           Assemblies
           is
           to
           be
           performed
           before
           him
           (
           I
           speak
           now
           of
           our
           Ordinary
           believing
           ones
           ,
           and
           I
           know
           none
           Extraordinary
           among
           the
           Churches
           .
           )
           They
           are
           not
           builded
           to
           manage
           such
           Worship
           ,
           
             they
             are
             not
             the
             Image
             and
             Glory
             of
             God
             ,
          
           as
           the
           Men
           are
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.7
           .
           They
           are
           placed
           beneath
           ,
           and
           are
           
             called
             the
             Glory
             of
             the
             Man.
          
           Wherefore
           they
           are
           weak
           ,
           and
           not
           permited
           to
           perform
           Publick
           Worship
           to
           God.
           When
           our
           first
           Mother
           ,
           who
           was
           not
           attended
           with
           those
           weaknesses
           ,
           either
           Sinful
           ,
           or
           Natural
           ,
           as
           our
           Women
           now
           are
           ,
           stept
           out
           of
           her
           place
           but
           to
           speak
           a
           good
           Word
           for
           Worship
           ,
           you
           see
           how
           she
           was
           baffled
           ,
           and
           befooled
           therein
           ;
           she
           utterly
           failed
           in
           the
           performance
           ,
           tho
           she
           briskly
           attempted
           the
           thing
           .
           Yea
           she
           so
           failed
           there-about
           ,
           that
           at
           one
           clap
           she
           over-threw
           ,
           not
           only
           (
           as
           to
           that
           )
           the
           reputation
           of
           Women
           for
           ever
           ,
           but
           her
           Soul
           ,
           her
           Husband
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           World
           besides
           ,
           Gen.
           3.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7.
           
        
         
           The
           fallen
           Angel
           knew
           what
           he
           did
           when
           he
           made
           his
           Assault
           upon
           the
           Woman
           .
           His
           subtilty
           told
           him
           that
           the
           Woman
           was
           the
           weaker
           Vessel
           .
           He
           knew
           also
           that
           the
           Man
           was
           made
           the
           Head
           in
           Worship
           ,
           and
           the
           keeper
           of
           the
           Garden
           of
           God.
           The
           Lord
           God
           took
           the
           Man
           ,
           said
           unto
           the
           Man
           ,
           commanded
           the
           Man
           ,
           and
           made
           him
           keeper
           of
           the
           Garden
           ,
           Gen.
           2.15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           
           Wherefore
           the
           management
           of
           Worship
           belonged
           to
           him
           .
           This
           ,
           the
           Serpent
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           ,
           was
           a
           ware
           of
           :
           And
           therefore
           he
           comes
           to
           the
           Woman
           ,
           sayes
           to
           the
           Woman
           ,
           and
           deals
           with
           the
           Woman
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           so
           overcomes
           the
           World.
           Wherefore
           it
           is
           from
           this
           consideration
           that
           Paul
           tells
           Timothy
           that
           he
           permited
           not
           a
           Woman
           to
           teach
           ,
           nor
           to
           usurp
           Authority
           over
           the
           Man
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           in
           silence
           .
           (
           But
           to
           call
           the
           Church
           or
           parts
           thereof
           together
           ,
           to
           perform
           solemn
           Worship
           ,
           and
           in
           such
           a
           call
           to
           exclude
           or
           shut
           out
           the
           Men
           ,
           is
           an
           usurping
           of
           that
           Authority
           over
           them
           to
           an
           high
           degree
           .
           )
        
         
           And
           he
           renders
           the
           reason
           of
           this
           his
           prohibition
           thus
           ,
           
             For
             Adam
             was
             first
             formed
             ,
             then
             Eve
             ,
          
           (
           and
           therefore
           had
           the
           Headship
           in
           Worship
           )
           
             And
             Adam
             was
             not
             deceived
             ,
             but
             the
             Woman
             being
             deceived
             ,
             was
             in
             the
             Transgression
             .
          
           1
           Tim.
           2.15
           ,
           16.
           
        
         
           But
           again
           ,
           it
           should
           seem
           ,
           methinks
           ,
           if
           Women
           must
           needs
           be
           managers
           of
           Worship
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           they
           should
           do
           it
           ,
           as
           Eve
           ,
           before
           Adam
           ,
           in
           presence
           of
           the
           Men
           :
           But
           that
           I
           think
           none
           will
           allow
           ,
           though
           that
           would
           be
           the
           way
           best
           to
           correct
           miscarriages
           ;
           
           how
           then
           should
           it
           be
           thought
           convenient
           for
           them
           to
           do
           it
           alone
           .
           If
           Children
           are
           not
           thought
           fitt
           to
           help
           to
           guide
           the
           ship
           with
           the
           Marriners
           ;
           shall
           they
           be
           trusted
           so
           much
           as
           with
           a
           Boat
           at
           Sea
           ,
           alone
           .
           The
           thing
           in
           hand
           is
           a
           Parallel
           case
           :
           For
           ,
        
         
           Fourthly
           .
           If
           the
           weightiness
           of
           this
           Worship
           be
           ,
           as
           indeed
           it
           is
           ,
           so
           great
           ,
           that
           the
           Strongest
           ,
           and
           best
           able
           to
           perform
           it
           ,
           do
           usually
           come
           off
           with
           Blushing
           ,
           and
           with
           repentance
           for
           their
           shortness
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           well
           performance
           thereof
           ;
           though
           they
           ingage
           therein
           by
           good
           and
           Lawful
           Authority
           :
           What
           will
           they
           do
           who
           are
           much
           weaker
           here
           ,
           and
           when
           ,
           as
           Eve
           ,
           they
           set
           to
           it
           in
           a
           way
           of
           usurping
           of
           Authority
           ,
           and
           of
           their
           own
           Head
           ,
           and
           will.
           
        
         
           To
           Offer
           strange
           sire
           with
           incense
           (
           which
           was
           a
           type
           of
           Prayer
           )
           you
           know
           what
           it
           cost
           Nadab
           and
           Avihu
           ,
           though
           Men
           ,
           and
           the
           Sons
           of
           Aaron
           .
           Mr.
           K.
           cryes
           the
           Sisters
           ,
           the
           Women
           ,
           the
           Womens
           Meetings
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ,
           and
           how
           they
           have
           prevailed
           with
           Heaven
           .
           Poor
           Man
           ,
           I
           am
           sorry
           for
           his
           weakness
           ,
           and
           that
           he
           should
           shew
           that
           himself
           is
           so
           Nunnish
           in
           such
           a
           day
           as
           this
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           ,
           as
           all
           Worship
           in
           Assemblies
           ought
           to
           be
           performed
           with
           the
           most
           exact
           order
           and
           solemnity
           ;
           So
           this
           of
           Prayer
           with
           that
           ,
           if
           possible
           ,
           that
           is
           more
           then
           all
           the
           rest
           ;
           and
           therefore
           this
           makes
           it
           more
           heavie
           still
           .
           When
           Men
           Preach
           ,
           they
           have
           to
           do
           with
           Men
           ,
           but
           when
           they
           Pray
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           they
           have
           to
           do
           both
           with
           Men
           ,
           and
           with
           God
           at
           once
           .
           And
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           it
           be
           so
           great
           a
           matter
           to
           speak
           to
           Men
           before
           God
           :
           How
           great
           a
           matter
           is
           it
           to
           speak
           to
           Men
           and
           God
           at
           once
           :
           To
           God
           by
           way
           of
           petition
           ,
           and
           to
           Men
           by
           way
           of
           Instruction
           .
           But
           I
           am
           perswaded
           if
           those
           most
           fond
           of
           the
           Womens
           Meetings
           for
           Prayer
           ,
           were
           to
           petition
           the
           King
           for
           their
           lives
           ,
           they
           would
           not
           set
           Women
           to
           be
           their
           Advocates
           to
           him
           :
           Specially
           if
           the
           King
           should
           declare
           before
           hand
           by
           Law
           ,
           that
           he
           permitted
           not
           a
           Woman
           in
           an
           open
           Auditory
           to
           speak
           before
           him
           .
        
         
           There
           are
           also
           many
           temptations
           that
           attend
           the
           Duty
           of
           Praying
           in
           Assemblies
           :
           especially
           those
           that
           are
           immediatly
           imployed
           therein
           .
           These
           temptations
           ,
           they
           awake
           ,
           are
           a
           ware
           of
           ,
           are
           forced
           to
           wrestle
           with
           ,
           and
           greatly
           to
           groan
           under
           .
           Wherefore
           we
           put
           not
           the
           weak
           upon
           this
           Service
           ;
           not
           the
           weak
           ,
           though
           they
           be
           Men
           :
           Not
           they
           in
           the
           presence
           of
           the
           strong
           .
           How
           then
           should
           the
           weakest
           of
           all
           ,
           be
           put
           upon
           it
           ,
           and
           that
           when
           together
           by
           themselves
           .
           Men
           though
           strong
           ;
           and
           though
           Acting
           by
           Lawfull
           Authority
           in
           this
           ,
           are
           
           not
           able
           but
           with
           unutterable
           grones
           to
           do
           it
           :
           How
           then
           shall
           all
           those
           that
           attempt
           it
           without
           that
           Authority
           ,
           perform
           it
           ,
           as
           acceptable
           Worship
           to
           God
           ?
           This
           work
           therefore
           ,
           is
           as
           much
           too
           heavy
           for
           our
           Women
           ,
           now
           ,
           as
           that
           about
           which
           Eve
           ingaged
           in
           at
           first
           ,
           was
           too
           heavy
           for
           her
           .
           But
        
         
           Fifthly
           ,
           If
           this
           Worship
           may
           be
           managed
           by
           the
           Sister-hood
           of
           the
           Churches
           ,
           being
           congregated
           together
           in
           absence
           of
           their
           Men
           :
           Of
           what
           Signification
           is
           it
           that
           Man
           is
           made
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Woman
           ,
           as
           well
           in
           Worship
           ,
           as
           in
           nature
           ?
           (
           1
           Cor.
           11.3.7
           .
           )
        
         
           Yea
           more
           ,
           why
           are
           the
           Elders
           of
           the
           Churches
           called
           Watchmen
           ,
           Overseers
           ,
           Guides
           ,
           Teachers
           ,
           Rulers
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           ?
           If
           this
           kind
           of
           Worship
           may
           be
           performed
           ,
           without
           their
           Conduct
           and
           Government
           ?
           Ezek.
           3.7
           .
           Chap.
           33.7
           .
           Acts
           20.28
           .
           Ephes.
           4.11
           .
           Psal.
           78.72
           .
           Heb.
           13.17
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           Why
           is
           man
           made
           the
           Head
           of
           the
           Woman
           in
           Worship
           ,
           in
           the
           Worship
           now
           under
           debate
           ,
           in
           that
           Worship
           that
           is
           to
           be
           performed
           in
           Assemblies
           ?
           and
           why
           are
           the
           Women
           commanded
           silence
           there
           ,
           if
           they
           may
           Congregate
           by
           themselves
           ,
           and
           set
           up
           and
           manage
           Worship
           there
           ?
           Worship
           was
           ordained
           before
           the
           Woman
           was
           made
           ,
           wherefore
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           at
           the
           first
           did
           not
           immediatly
           come
           to
           her
           ,
           (
           Gen.
           2.16
           ,
           17
           ,
           18.
           1
           
           Cor.
           14.35
           ,
           36.
           )
           ●ut
           to
           him
           that
           was
           first
           formed
           ,
           and
           made
           the
           Head
           in
           Worship
           .
           And
           hence
           it
           is
           that
           Women
           are
           so
           strictly
           tied
           up
           to
           this
           Headship
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           will
           learn
           ,
           they
           must
           ask
           their
           Husbands
           at
           home
           (
           not
           appoint
           Meetings
           of
           their
           own
           Sex
           to
           Teach
           one
           another
           )
           vers
           .
           35.
           
           
             But
             what
             must
             they
             do
             that
             have
             unbelieving
             ones
             ?
             and
             what
             must
             they
             do
             that
             have
             none
             ?
          
           Answer
           .
           Let
           them
           attend
           upon
           those
           Ordinances
           that
           God
           has
           appointed
           for
           the
           building
           up
           and
           perfecting
           of
           the
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           learn
           as
           the
           Angels
           do
           ,
           Ephes.
           4.11
           ,
           12.13
           .
           Chap.
           3.10
           .
           1
           Pet.
           1.12
           .
        
         
           2ly
           .
           But
           I
           say
           ,
           if
           they
           must
           do
           as
           Mr.
           K.
           says
           they
           are
           
             in
             duty
             bound
          
           ,
           to
           witt
           ,
           meet
           by
           themselves
           apart
           from
           their
           Men
           ,
           and
           as
           so
           met
           ,
           perform
           this
           most
           solemn
           Worship
           to
           God
           :
           How
           shall
           the
           Elders
           and
           Overseers
           ,
           the
           Watchmen
           ,
           Rulers
           ,
           and
           Guides
           in
           Worship
           ,
           perform
           their
           Duty
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           this
           ,
           since
           from
           this
           kind
           of
           Worship
           they
           are
           quite
           excluded
           ,
           and
           utterly
           shut
           out
           of
           Dores
           :
           Unless
           it
           be
           said
           ,
           that
           to
           Watch
           ,
           to
           Oversee
           ,
           and
           to
           Guide
           ,
           in
           the
           matter
           and
           manner
           of
           performance
           of
           this
           Worship
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           is
           no
           part
           of
           the
           Watchman
           or
           Overseers
           work
           :
           or
           
           in
           their
           Lawful
           absence
           ,
           the
           work
           of
           the
           principal
           Men
           of
           the
           Church
           .
           Nor
           will
           the
           Faithful
           and
           Dutiful
           Overseer
           ,
           leave
           Worship
           ,
           no
           ,
           not
           in
           the
           best
           part
           of
           the
           Congregation
           Assembled
           to
           Worship
           ,
           to
           be
           performed
           by
           every
           weak
           Brother
           ,
           though
           I
           believe
           it
           might
           with
           more
           Warrant
           be
           left
           to
           them
           ,
           then
           to
           the
           strongest
           among
           our
           Ordinary
           ones
           of
           the
           other
           Sex.
           
        
         
           Also
           our
           Elders
           and
           Watchmen
           covet
           ,
           (
           if
           we
           have
           unbelievers
           to
           behold
           )
           that
           our
           Worship
           be
           performed
           
             by
             the
             most
             able
          
           :
           How
           then
           shall
           it
           be
           thought
           that
           they
           should
           be
           so
           silly
           ,
           to
           turn
           a
           Company
           of
           weak
           Women
           loose
           to
           be
           abused
           by
           the
           fallen
           Angels
           ?
           Can
           it
           be
           thought
           that
           their
           Congregation
           ,
           since
           they
           have
           it
           without
           a
           command
           ,
           shall
           fare
           better
           among
           those
           envious
           Spirits
           ,
           then
           those
           that
           are
           Lawfully
           called
           ,
           shall
           fare
           before
           the
           World
           ?
           
             Watchman
             ,
             Watchman
          
           ,
           see
           to
           thy
           Duty
           ,
           look
           well
           to
           the
           manner
           of
           Worship
           that
           is
           to
           be
           performed
           according
           to
           thy
           commission
           .
           Trust
           not
           Eve
           as
           Adam
           did
           ,
           with
           Worship
           ,
           and
           with
           its
           defence
           .
           Look
           that
           all
           things
           be
           done
           in
           Worship
           as
           becomes
           thee
           ,
           a
           Head
           ,
           both
           in
           Nature
           ,
           and
           by
           Office
           :
           And
           leave
           not
           so
           solemn
           a
           part
           of
           Worship
           ,
           as
           Prayer
           in
           Company
           ,
           is
           ,
           and
           ought
           to
           be
           accounted
           ,
           to
           be
           done
           ,
           thou
           canst
           by
           no
           means
           tell
           how
           .
           Watch
           in
           and
           over
           all
           such
           Worship
           thy self
           .
           
             Be
             diligent
             to
             know
             the
             state
             of
             thy
             flocks
             ,
          
           whether
           they
           be
           flocks
           of
           Men
           ,
           or
           Women
           ,
           and
           look
           well
           to
           
             thy
             herds
          
           ,
           and
           though
           shalt
           have
           Milk
           enough
           ,
           not
           only
           for
           Men
           and
           Babes
           ,
           but
           also
           
             for
             the
             maintenance
             and
             life
             of
             thy
             Maidens
             .
          
           So
           that
           they
           need
           not
           go
           with
           their
           pitchers
           to
           seek
           water
           ,
           there
           where
           their
           God
           has
           not
           sent
           them
           (
           Pro.
           27.23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25
           ,
           26
           ,
           27.
           )
           Besides
           the
           Shepherds
           Tents
           is
           provision
           sufficient
           for
           them
           ,
           Cant.
           1.
           
        
         
           But
           for
           a
           Conclusion
           of
           this
           ,
           I
           will
           ask
           this
           Man
           ,
           If
           he
           doth
           not
           ,
           by
           pleading
           for
           these
           Womens
           Meetings
           ,
           declare
           ,
           that
           the
           Women
           without
           their
           Men
           ,
           are
           better
           able
           by
           themselves
           to
           maintain
           divine
           Worship
           ,
           then
           the
           Men
           are
           ,
           without
           their
           Elders
           ?
           for
           as
           much
           as
           he
           himself
           will
           not
           alow
           that
           the
           Men
           should
           alwayes
           perform
           Worship
           ,
           without
           his
           oversight
           and
           inspection
           :
           and
           yet
           will
           plead
           for
           the
           Women
           ,
           to
           have
           such
           Worship
           in
           their
           Congregation
           ,
           among
           themselves
           ,
           Excluding
           forever
           the
           Men
           therefrom
           .
           For
           saith
           he
           ,
           The
           Spirit
           is
           promised
           to
           be
           given
           to
           them
           to
           that
           very
           end
           ,
           
             that
             they
             may
             Meet
             together
             ,
             to
             Pray
             apart
             without
             their
             Men.
             
          
        
         
         
           And
           now
           for
           Mr.
           K
           '
           s.
           Arguments
           ,
           which
           as
           I
           said
           ,
           are
           in
           number
           four
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             VVe
             will
             take
             the
             Scriptures
             from
             them
             ,
             and
          
           
             2.
             
             Then
             pick
             the
             bones
             of
             their
             carkases
             .
          
        
         
           Yet
           in
           my
           taking
           of
           the
           Scriptures
           from
           his
           Arguments
           ,
           I
           will
           doe
           it
           in
           a
           way
           that
           is
           most
           to
           his
           advantage
           ,
           making
           of
           each
           of
           them
           as
           formidable
           an
           Objection
           as
           I
           can
           against
           my self
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Object
           .
           Miriam
           
             took
             a
             timbrill
             in
             her
             hand
             ,
             and
             went
             out
             ,
             and
             all
             the
             Women
             went
             out
             after
             her
             ,
             praising
             God
             with
             Timbrils
             and
             dances
             for
             their
             deliverances
             .
             Therefore
             the
             Women
             of
             the
             Churches
             of
             Christ
             may
             appoint
             Meeting
             's
             of
             their
             own
             ,
             as
             separate
             from
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             then
             and
             there
             perform
             divine
             Worship
             ,
             Prayer
             ,
             in
             that
             their
             Congregation
             without
             their
             Men.
          
           Exo
           :
           15.
           
           Vers.
           20
           ,
           21.
           
        
         
           1.
           
           
             Answer
             .
             Miriam
          
           was
           a
           Prophetess
           ,
           and
           I
           suppose
           that
           none
           of
           our
           Women
           will
           pretend
           to
           be
           such
           .
        
         
           And
           though
           Mr.
           K.
           labours
           to
           gett
           over
           this
           ,
           by
           saying
           that
           the
           work
           of
           Praising
           
             was
             incumbent
             upon
             all
          
           :
           yet
           by
           his
           leave
           ,
           Judgment
           and
           discretion
           ,
           and
           a
           Spirit
           of
           Conduct
           Sutable
           to
           the
           Duty
           (
           as
           we
           read
           of
           )
           was
           found
           (
           among
           the
           Women
           )
           
             in
             none
             but
             shee
          
           .
           Why
           is
           it
           else
           said
           ,
           Miriam
           led
           them
           forth
           ,
           Miriam
           the
           Prophetess
           did
           it
           .
           Another
           by
           Mr.
           K's
           .
           Argument
           ,
           might
           a
           done
           it
           as
           well
           .
           Thus
           degrades
           he
           the
           Prophetess
           ,
           that
           he
           may
           gett
           favour
           with
           the
           Ordinary
           Women
           ,
           and
           prompt
           them
           on
           to
           a
           Work
           that
           he
           has
           a
           superstitious
           affection
           for
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           But
           his
           assertion
           is
           of
           no
           weight
           .
           The
           Women
           were
           not
           left
           in
           that
           Extraordinary
           service
           ,
           to
           the
           Spirit
           of
           Ordinary
           Believers
           .
           Nor
           can
           I
           count
           it
           but
           crooked
           dealing
           ,
           to
           bring
           in
           Extraordinary
           Persons
           ,
           in
           their
           Extraordinary
           Acts
           ,
           to
           prove
           it
           Lawful
           for
           Ordinary
           Persons
           ,
           to
           do
           that
           which
           is
           not
           commanded
           them
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           But
           though
           Miriam
           did
           
             go
             forth
          
           ,
           or
           come
           out
           with
           the
           Women
           ;
           yet
           not
           from
           the
           Men
           ,
           into
           some
           remote
           place
           in
           the
           Wilderness
           ,
           to
           Worship
           by
           themselves
           .
           Shee
           rather
           went
           or
           came
           out
           ,
           and
           the
           Women
           followed
           her
           ,
           
             from
             the
             place
             by
             the
             Sea
             ,
             where
             now
             they
             were
             ,
          
           after
           Moses
           ,
           to
           sing
           as
           her
           Sex
           became
           her
           ;
           for
           she
           ,
           though
           an
           Extraordinary
           Woman
           ,
           might
           not
           make
           her self
           an
           Equall
           with
           Moses
           and
           Aaron
           ,
           therefore
           shee
           came
           behind
           in
           Worship
           ,
           yet
           with
           the
           Body
           of
           the
           People
           ,
           as
           it
           is
           said
           .
           So
           Moses
           
           
             brought
             Israel
             from
             the
             red
             Sea
             ,
          
           Vers.
           22.
           
           Women
           ,
           though
           Prophetesses
           ,
           must
           wear
           some
           badge
           or
           other
           of
           inferiority
           ,
           to
           those
           that
           are
           Prophets
           indeed
           ,
           (
           1
           Cor.
           11.3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8.
           )
           And
           I
           chuse
           to
           understand
           that
           Miriam
           did
           this
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               Because
               the
               Text
               last
               mentioned
               ,
               says
               so
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Because
               Miriam
               and
               all
               the
               Women
               did
               Sing
               with
               the
               
                 Words
                 of
                 the
                 Men
              
               ,
               Vers.
               1.
               compared
               with
               21.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               For
               that
               they
               did
               Sing
               them
               
                 after
                 the
                 Men
              
               ,
               as
               taking
               them
               from
               their
               mouth
               .
               For
               saith
               the
               Text
               ,
               Miriam
               
                 answered
                 them
              
               ,
               and
               so
               handed
               it
               down
               
                 to
                 them
                 of
                 her
                 Sex
                 ;
                 saying
                 ,
                 Sing
                 ye
                 to
                 the
                 Lord
                 for
                 he
                 hath
                 Triumphed
                 Gloriously
                 .
              
               Vers.
               1.
               and
               Vers.
               21.
               
            
             
               4.
               
               For
               that
               she
               commanded
               the
               Women
               that
               they
               should
               Sing
               the
               same
               Song
               :
               hence
               it
               is
               called
               the
               
                 Song
                 of
                 Moses
              
               ,
               not
               of
               Miriam
               ,
               Revel
               .
               15.3
               .
            
             
               5.
               
               From
               all
               which
               I
               conclude
               that
               Miriam
               did
               not
               draw
               the
               Women
               away
               into
               some
               such
               place
               where
               neither
               Moses
               nor
               Aaron
               ,
               nor
               the
               Elders
               of
               Israel
               could
               see
               ,
               behold
               ,
               and
               observe
               their
               manner
               of
               VVorship
               .
               But
               that
               she
               ,
               as
               her
               modestie
               became
               her
               ,
               did
               lead
               them
               out
               from
               that
               place
               where
               they
               were
               ,
               to
               Sing
               and
               to
               Dance
               ,
               and
               to
               praise
               God
               ,
               after
               the
               Men.
               
            
             
               6.
               
               This
               Scripture
               therefore
               ,
               favoreth
               not
               this
               Mans
               Oppinion
               ,
               To
               wit.
               
                 That
                 it
                 is
                 the
                 Duty
                 of
                 the
                 Women
                 of
                 the
                 Churches
                 of
                 Christ
                 to
                 separate
                 themselves
                 from
                 their
                 Brethren
                 ,
                 and
                 as
                 so
                 separate
                 ,
                 to
                 perform
                 divine
                 Worship
                 by
                 themselves
                 .
              
            
          
        
         
           2.
           
           Object
           .
           Esther
           
             the
             Queen
             performed
             with
             her
             Maidens
             this
             Duty
             of
             Prayer
             without
             their
             Men
             :
             Therefore
             the
             Women
             of
             Gospel
             Churches
             may
             separate
             themselves
             from
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             perform
             it
             among
             themselves
             .
          
           Est.
           4.16
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Answer
           .
           Esther
           was
           in
           the
           house
           of
           the
           Kings
           Chamberlain
           ,
           and
           could
           not
           at
           this
           time
           come
           to
           her
           Brethren
           :
           No
           ,
           not
           to
           her
           Uncle
           Mordecai
           ,
           to
           consult
           how
           to
           prevent
           an
           aproaching
           Judgment
           :
           Yea
           ,
           Mordecai
           and
           shee
           were
           fain
           to
           speak
           one
           to
           another
           by
           Hatach
           whom
           the
           King
           had
           appointed
           to
           attend
           upon
           the
           Queen
           ,
           Vers.
           5.6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           
           So
           she
           could
           by
           no
           means
           at
           that
           time
           have
           communion
           with
           the
           Church
           :
           No
           marvel
           therefore
           if
           she
           fasted
           with
           her
           Maidens
           alone
           :
           For
           so
           she
           must
           now
           do
           ,
           or
           not
           do
           at
           all
           .
           But
           I
           will
           here
           ask
           this
           our
           Argumentator
           ,
           whether
           Esther
           did
           count
           it
           a
           burden
           or
           a
           Priviledge
           ,
           thus
           now
           to
           be
           separated
           from
           her
           Brethren
           ,
           
           and
           so
           forced
           to
           perform
           this
           Work
           as
           she
           did
           ?
           If
           a
           Priviledge
           ,
           let
           him
           prove
           it
           .
           If
           a
           burden
           ,
           he
           has
           little
           cause
           to
           make
           use
           of
           it
           ,
           to
           urge
           that
           her
           Practise
           then
           ,
           for
           a
           ground
           to
           Women
           that
           are
           at
           liberty
           to
           separate
           from
           their
           Brethren
           to
           performe
           such
           Worship
           by
           themselves
           in
           their
           Company
           ,
           without
           their
           Men.
           
        
         
           2.
           
           We
           do
           not
           read
           that
           she
           desired
           that
           any
           of
           the
           Women
           that
           were
           at
           Liberty
           should
           come
           from
           the
           Men
           to
           be
           with
           her
           ;
           whence
           we
           may
           gather
           that
           she
           preferred
           their
           Liberty
           to
           Worship
           with
           Men
           ,
           far
           beyond
           a
           Womans
           Meeting
           .
           She
           counted
           that
           too
           many
           ,
           by
           her self
           and
           her
           Maidens
           ,
           were
           in
           such
           bondage
           already
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Neither
           did
           she
           attempt
           to
           take
           that
           unavoidable
           Work
           upon
           herself
           ,
           but
           as
           begging
           of
           the
           Men
           ,
           that
           Shee
           might
           by
           their
           Faith
           and
           Prayers
           ,
           be
           Born
           up
           therein
           ,
           clearly
           concluding
           that
           Shee
           did
           count
           such
           work
           too
           hard
           for
           Women
           to
           perform
           by
           themselves
           ,
           without
           the
           help
           of
           their
           Men
           ,
           Vers.
           15.16
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Besides
           this
           Womans
           Meeting
           (
           as
           Mr.
           K.
           would
           have
           it
           )
           was
           made
           up
           of
           none
           but
           the
           Queen
           and
           her
           Houshold
           Maides
           ,
           and
           with
           but
           few
           of
           them
           ;
           nor
           will
           we
           complaine
           of
           our
           honest
           Women
           ,
           when
           the
           case
           is
           so
           that
           they
           cannot
           go
           out
           to
           the
           Church
           to
           do
           this
           ,
           if
           they
           Pray
           with
           their
           Maids
           at
           home
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           But
           what
           if
           Esther
           did
           Pray
           with
           her
           Maids
           in
           her
           Closet
           ,
           because
           Shee
           could
           not
           come
           out
           to
           her
           Brethren
           :
           Is
           it
           fair
           to
           make
           the
           necessity
           of
           a
           Woman
           in
           Bondage
           ,
           a
           Law
           to
           Women
           at
           Liberty
           ?
           This
           Argument
           therefore
           is
           erronious
           ,
           and
           must
           not
           have
           this
           Text
           to
           shore
           it
           up
           ,
           we
           therefore
           take
           it
           away
           from
           his
           Words
           ,
           and
           proceed
           to
           a
           sight
           of
           his
           next
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Object
           .
           
             But
             it
             is
             said
             by
             the
             Prophet
          
           Zecharias
           ,
           
             that
             the
             Spirit
             is
             promised
             to
             be
             given
             in
             new
             Testament
             times
             ,
             to
             Women
             ,
             that
             they
             may
             Pray
             together
             apart
             from
             Men
             ,
          
           Zech.
           12.11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           
        
         
           Answ.
           The
           Text
           says
           nothing
           so
           ,
           but
           is
           greatly
           abused
           by
           this
           Man.
           Indeed
           it
           says
           their
           Wives
           shall
           mourn
           apart
           ,
           but
           it
           saith
           not
           ,
           they
           shall
           do
           so
           together
           .
           Yea
           ,
           that
           they
           shall
           separate
           themselves
           by
           the
           dictate
           of
           God
           ,
           from
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           to
           do
           so
           ,
           Is
           that
           which
           this
           Text
           knows
           nothing
           of
           .
           Sometimes
           ,
           many
           may
           be
           together
           apart
           from
           others
           ;
           but
           why
           Mr.
           K.
           to
           serve
           his
           purpose
           ,
           should
           wrack
           and
           strain
           this
           Text
           to
           Justifie
           his
           Womans
           Meeting
           ,
           I
           see
           no
           reason
           at
           all
           .
        
         
         
           My
           reason
           against
           him
           is
           ,
           for
           that
           the
           
             look
             ,
             here
          
           upon
           him
           whom
           we
           have
           peirced
           ,
           which
           is
           to
           be
           the
           cause
           of
           this
           mourning
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           by
           an
           immediate
           revelation
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           who
           doth
           not
           use
           to
           tell
           before
           hand
           when
           he
           will
           so
           come
           down
           upon
           us
           .
           But
           such
           a
           Meeting
           as
           Mr.
           K.
           intends
           must
           be
           the
           product
           of
           Consultation
           and
           time
           .
           
             I
             will
             pour
          
           ,
           saith
           God
           ,
           
             upon
             the
             House
             of
             David
             ,
             the
             Spirit
             of
             Grace
             and
             supplication
             ,
             and
             then
             they
             shall
             look
          
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           when
           that
           Spirit
           so
           worketh
           ,
           with
           them
           ,
           as
           to
           enable
           them
           so
           to
           do
           .
           Now
           I
           say
           ,
           I
           would
           know
           ,
           since
           this
           mourning
           is
           to
           be
           the
           effect
           of
           this
           look
           ,
           and
           so
           before
           one
           is
           aware
           (
           Song
           .
           6.12
           .
           )
           whether
           Mr.
           K.
           can
           prove
           that
           these
           Women
           were
           to
           have
           an
           Item
           before
           hand
           when
           they
           should
           have
           this
           Look
           :
           But
           as
           it
           would
           be
           Ridiculous
           thus
           to
           conclude
           ,
           so
           as
           Ridiculous
           is
           it
           to
           think
           to
           prove
           his
           Womens
           Meetings
           from
           hence
           .
        
         
           Nor
           doth
           the
           Conclusion
           that
           he
           hath
           made
           hereupon
           ,
           prove
           more
           but
           that
           he
           is
           ignorant
           of
           the
           Work
           of
           the
           Spirit
           in
           this
           matter
           ,
           or
           that
           his
           fondness
           for
           the
           Womens
           Meetings
           hath
           made
           him
           forgett
           his
           own
           experience
           .
           For
           how
           can
           one
           that
           never
           had
           but
           one
           such
           Look
           upon
           
             Jesus
             Christ
          
           ,
           draw
           such
           a
           Conclusion
           from
           hence
           .
        
         
           And
           that
           all
           those
           Women
           should
           have
           this
           Look
           at
           the
           same
           time
           ,
           even
           all
           the
           Women
           of
           the
           House
           of
           David
           ,
           and
           of
           the
           inhabitants
           of
           Jerusalem
           ,
           that
           they
           might
           all
           of
           them
           by
           the
           Direction
           of
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           ,
           separate
           themselves
           from
           their
           Men
           to
           hold
           a
           Womans
           Meeting
           or
           Meetings
           ,
           by
           themselves
           ,
           for
           this
           ;
           is
           more
           fictitious
           ,
           then
           one
           would
           imagin
           ,
           a
           Man
           should
           Dream
           .
           If
           he
           says
           that
           the
           Women
           have
           a
           promise
           to
           have
           this
           Look
           when
           they
           please
           ,
           or
           that
           they
           are
           suer
           to
           have
           it
           ,
           cause
           't
           is
           intailed
           to
           THEIR
           Meeting
           ,
           (
           for
           this
           seems
           to
           come
           nearest
           his
           conclusion
           :
           yet
           )
           what
           unavoidable
           inconveniencies
           will
           flow
           therefrom
           ,
           I
           leave
           to
           any
           to
           Judge
           .
        
         
           But
           I
           take
           this
           mourning
           to
           be
           according
           as
           another
           of
           the
           Prophets
           say
           ,
           
             They
             shall
             be
             upon
             the
             Mountains
             like
             doves
             of
             the
             valleys
             ,
             all
             of
             them
             mourning
             ,
             every
             one
             for
             his
             Iniquity
             ,
          
           Ezek.
           7.16
           .
        
         
           All
           those
           Souls
           therefore
           ,
           that
           shall
           be
           counted
           worthy
           to
           have
           
             this
             look
          
           ,
           shall
           mourn
           apart
           ,
           or
           by
           themselves
           ,
           when
           they
           have
           it
           .
           For
           though
           a
           Man
           cannot
           appoint
           to
           himself
           when
           he
           will
           repent
           of
           his
           Sins
           ,
           or
           when
           the
           
             Holy
             Ghost
          
           will
           work
           :
           yet
           
           he
           shall
           repent
           indeed
           ;
           he
           shall
           do
           it
           ,
           I
           say
           when
           HE
           doth
           so
           work
           ,
           not
           staying
           till
           another
           can
           do
           so
           too
           .
           And
           since
           our
           own
           Iniquity
           will
           then
           make
           us
           best
           consider
           our
           own
           case
           ,
           mourning
           apart
           ,
           or
           every
           one
           for
           their
           own
           Iniquity
           ,
           is
           most
           naturally
           proper
           thereto
           .
           And
           this
           is
           the
           mourning
           that
           shall
           be
           in
           the
           House
           of
           
             David
             ,
             Jerusalem
          
           ,
           the
           Church
           ,
           both
           with
           Men
           and
           Women
           ,
           at
           all
           times
           when
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           shall
           help
           us
           to
           look
           upon
           him
           whom
           we
           have
           pierced
           .
           Pray
           God
           give
           Mr.
           K.
           and
           my self
           more
           of
           these
           lookes
           upon
           a
           Crucified
           Christ
           ,
           for
           then
           we
           shall
           understand
           this
           and
           other
           such
           like
           Scriptures
           ,
           otherwise
           then
           to
           draw
           such
           incoherent
           inferences
           from
           them
           as
           he
           doth
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           Object
           .
           
             Women
             were
             wont
             in
             Gospel
             times
             to
             meet
             together
             to
             Pray
             .
             Therefore
             the
             Women
             in
             Gospel
             Churches
             may
             separate
             themselves
             from
             their
             Brethren
             to
             perform
             divine
             Worship
             by
             themselves
             without
             their
             Men.
          
           Acts
           16.13
           .
        
         
           This
           is
           another
           of
           his
           Scriptures
           ,
           brought
           to
           uphold
           this
           fancy
           ;
           But
           ,
        
         
           Answ.
           1.
           
           It
           is
           not
           said
           that
           the
           Women
           of
           Churches
           met
           together
           alone
           to
           Pray
           .
           But
           that
           Paul
           went
           down
           to
           a
           River-side
           where
           Prayer
           was
           wont
           to
           be
           made
           ,
           and
           spake
           unto
           the
           Women
           that
           resorted
           thither
           .
           It
           looks
           therefore
           most
           agreeable
           to
           the
           Word
           ,
           to
           think
           that
           there
           the
           Law
           was
           read
           by
           the
           Jewish
           Priests
           to
           the
           prosesited
           Women
           of
           that
           City
           ,
           and
           that
           Prayer
           ,
           as
           was
           their
           custom
           in
           all
           such
           service
           ,
           was
           intermixed
           therewith
           .
           But
           this
           is
           but
           Conjecturall
           .
           And
           yet
           for
           all
           that
           ,
           it
           is
           better
           grounded
           ,
           and
           hath
           more
           reason
           on
           its
           side
           ,
           then
           hath
           any
           of
           this
           mans
           Arguments
           for
           the
           Opinion
           of
           his
           Womens
           Meetings
           .
           But
           ,
        
         
           2.
           
           There
           was
           there
           at
           that
           time
           no
           Gospel
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           nor
           before
           that
           any
           Gospel
           Ministry
           ,
           consequently
           no
           Church
           Obedience
           .
           Should
           it
           then
           be
           granted
           ,
           that
           there
           were
           none
           but
           women
           at
           that
           Meeting
           ,
           and
           that
           their
           Custom
           was
           to
           meet
           at
           that
           River-side
           to
           Pray
           ,
           it
           doth
           not
           therefore
           follow
           ,
           that
           their
           Practice
           was
           to
           be
           a
           Pattern
           ,
           a
           Rule
           ,
           a
           Law
           to
           women
           in
           Churches
           ,
           to
           separate
           from
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           to
           perform
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           in
           their
           own
           Womans
           Congregation
           without
           their
           Men.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           There
           was
           there
           no
           Gospel-Believer
           .
           Lydia
           her self
           before
           Paul
           came
           thither
           ,
           had
           her
           heart
           shut
           up
           against
           the
           Faith
           of
           Jesus
           
           Christ
           ;
           and
           how
           a
           company
           of
           Strangers
           to
           Gospel
           Faith
           ,
           should
           in
           that
           their
           doing
           ,
           be
           a
           Pattern
           to
           the
           women
           in
           Churches
           ,
           a
           Pattern
           of
           Christian
           VVorship
           ,
           I
           do
           not
           understand
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           If
           Pauls
           Call
           to
           Philippi
           had
           been
           by
           the
           vision
           of
           a
           VVoman
           ,
           or
           VVomans
           Meeting
           ;
           what
           an
           argument
           would
           this
           man
           have
           drawn
           from
           thence
           to
           have
           justified
           his
           womens
           Meetings
           ?
           but
           since
           't
           was
           by
           a
           man
           ,
           he
           hath
           lost
           an
           argument
           thereby
           .
           Though
           he
           notwithstanding
           ,
           doth
           adventure
           to
           say
           ,
           that
           God
           so
           approved
           of
           that
           Meeting
           ,
           as
           then
           ,
           and
           at
           that
           time
           ,
           to
           take
           advantage
           to
           make
           known
           his
           Mind
           and
           VVill
           to
           them
           concerning
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           And
           now
           I
           am
           in
           ,
           since
           Mr.
           K.
           will
           needs
           have
           this
           Scripture
           to
           justifie
           such
           a
           practice
           ,
           I
           wonder
           ,
           that
           he
           so
           lightly
           over
           looked
           Pauls
           going
           to
           that
           Meeting
           ,
           for
           thither
           he
           went
           to
           be
           sure
           (
           ver
           .
           13.16
           .
           )
           Yea
           how
           fairly
           ,
           to
           his
           thinking
           ,
           might
           he
           have
           pleaded
           ,
           that
           Paul
           by
           this
           act
           of
           his
           ,
           was
           a
           great
           lover
           ,
           countenancer
           and
           commender
           of
           those
           he
           calls
           the
           VVomens
           Meetings
           .
           Paul
           
             went
             to
             the
             Womens
             Meeting
             at
          
           Phillipi
           ,
           
             therefore
             it
             is
             lawful
             for
             the
             women
             of
             Gospel
             Churches
             to
             separate
             from
             their
             Brethren
             ,
             and
             to
             Congregate
             by
             themselves
             for
             the
             performance
             of
             some
             parts
             of
             Divine
             Worship
             .
          
           I
           say
           how
           easily
           might
           he
           have
           said
           this
           ,
           and
           then
           have
           po●t
           in
           those
           two
           verses
           above
           quoted
           ,
           and
           so
           have
           killed
           the
           old
           one
           ?
           For
           the
           word
           lies
           liable
           to
           be
           abused
           by
           the
           ignorance
           of
           men
           ,
           and
           it
           had
           been
           better
           then
           it
           is
           ,
           if
           this
           had
           been
           the
           first
           time
           that
           this
           man
           had
           served
           it
           so
           ,
           for
           the
           justification
           of
           his
           Rigid
           Principles
           ;
           but
           when
           men
           out
           of
           a
           fond
           conceit
           of
           their
           own
           abilities
           ,
           or
           of
           prejudice
           to
           them
           that
           contradict
           their
           Errors
           ,
           are
           tempted
           to
           shew
           their
           folly
           ,
           they
           will
           not
           want
           an
           opportunity
           from
           false
           Glosses
           put
           upon
           the
           Text
           ,
           to
           do
           it
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           But
           Paul
           went
           to
           that
           company
           to
           Preach
           Christs
           Gospel
           to
           them
           ,
           not
           for
           that
           they
           merited
           his
           coming
           ,
           but
           of
           the
           Grace
           of
           God
           ,
           as
           also
           did
           Peter
           and
           John
           ,
           when
           at
           the
           hour
           of
           Prayer
           they
           went
           up
           into
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           Paul
           into
           the
           Synagogue
           at
           
             Antioch
             ,
             Acts
          
           3.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           chap.
           13.14
           ,
           15
           ,
           16.
           
           But
           as
           fairly
           might
           this
           man
           have
           urged
           ,
           that
           the
           healing
           of
           the
           Lame
           man
           that
           lay
           at
           that
           time
           at
           the
           Gate
           of
           the
           Temple
           ,
           and
           the
           Conversion
           of
           them
           by
           Paul
           at
           Antioch
           ,
           was
           by
           the
           procurement
           of
           the
           Prayers
           of
           the
           Sisters
           ,
           and
           by
           their
           reading
           of
           the
           Law
           in
           that
           Synagogue
           at
           Antioch
           ,
           as
           to
           argue
           as
           he
           has
           done
           ,
           that
           God
           was
           
           so
           well
           pleased
           ,
           or
           so
           well
           approved
           of
           that
           VVomans
           Meeting
           as
           he
           feigns
           it
           at
           Phillippi
           ,
           as
           to
           send
           ,
           &c.
           to
           them
           his
           Minister
           .
        
         
           7.
           
           But
           again
           ,
           that
           this
           Womans
           Meeting
           should
           be
           so
           deserving
           ,
           and
           that
           while
           they
           were
           without
           the
           Faith
           of
           Christ
           ,
           as
           to
           procure
           a
           Gospel
           Minister
           to
           be
           sent
           unto
           them
           ,
           that
           Christ
           might
           to
           them
           be
           made
           known
           ,
           and
           yet
           that
           so
           few
           of
           them
           should
           be
           converted
           to
           the
           Faith
           ,
           seems
           a
           greater
           Paradox
           to
           me
           .
           For
           we
           read
           not
           that
           one
           of
           the
           women
           then
           ,
           or
           of
           them
           of
           the
           Town
           ,
           that
           did
           use
           to
           go
           that
           Meeting
           ,
           (
           for
           Lydia
           was
           of
           Thyatira
           )
           was
           ever
           converted
           to
           Christ
           ;
           Brethren
           we
           read
           of
           several
           ,
           but
           we
           hear
           not
           of
           any
           one
           more
           of
           those
           Women
           ,
           Vers.
           10.
           
        
         
           But
           Lydia
           worshipped
           God
           ,
           therefore
           her
           practice
           might
           prevail
           .
           Although
           't
           is
           said
           she
           worshipped
           God
           ,
           yet
           she
           was
           but
           a
           Proselyte
           ,
           as
           those
           Acts
           13.
           was
           ,
           and
           knew
           no
           more
           of
           Christ
           then
           the
           Eunuch
           did
           ,
           Acts
           8.
           
           But
           hold
           ,
           she
           had
           Faith
           ,
           will
           that
           make
           all
           practice
           acceptable
           ,
           yea
           ,
           Law
           and
           Commandment
           to
           others
           ,
           and
           the
           work
           of
           those
           that
           have
           none
           ,
           Meritorious
           ?
           But
           we
           must
           touch
           upon
           these
           things
           anon
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           Object
           .
           But
           (
           saith
           Mr.
           K.
           )
           Malachi
           3.16
           .
           
             doth
             countenance
             those
             Meetings
          
           .
        
         
           Answ.
           Not
           at
           all
           ;
           though
           Mr.
           K.
           has
           pleased
           to
           change
           a
           Term
           in
           the
           Text
           ,
           to
           make
           it
           speak
           his
           mind
           ;
           for
           he
           has
           put
           out
           [
           thought
           ]
           and
           put
           in
           [
           call
           ]
           but
           all
           will
           not
           do
           his
           work
           ,
           for
           when
           he
           has
           done
           what
           he
           can
           ,
           't
           will
           be
           difficult
           ,
           to
           make
           that
           Scripture
           say
           ,
           It
           is
           the
           duty
           of
           women
           in
           Gospel-Churches
           to
           separate
           from
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           to
           perform
           Divine
           VVorship
           among
           themselves
           .
        
         
           6.
           
           Obj.
           But
           Jude
           20.
           
             doth
             justifie
             these
             Meetings
             ,
             except
          
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             any
             will
             say
             ,
             Women
             are
             not
             to
             be
             built
             up
             in
             their
             most
             Holy
             Faith.
             
          
        
         
           Answ.
           How
           fain
           would
           the
           man
           lay
           hold
           on
           something
           ,
           onely
           he
           wants
           Divine
           Help
           ,
           that
           is
           ,
           the
           VVord
           of
           God
           ,
           to
           bottom
           his
           things
           upon
           .
        
         
           But
           doth
           the
           Apostle
           here
           at
           all
           treat
           of
           the
           VVomen
           and
           their
           Meetings
           ,
           or
           are
           they
           only
           the
           Beloved
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           built
           up
           ,
           &c.
           
           Speaks
           he
           not
           there
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           which
           consisteth
           of
           men
           and
           women
           ?
           and
           are
           not
           men
           the
           more
           noble
           part
           in
           all
           the
           
           Churches
           of
           Christ.
           But
           can
           women
           no
           other
           way
           be
           built
           up
           in
           their
           most
           holy
           faith
           ,
           but
           by
           Meetings
           of
           their
           own
           without
           their
           men
           ?
        
         
           But
           ,
           
             Building
             up
             your SELVES
          
           ,
           I
           suppose
           is
           the
           thing
           he
           holds
           by
           .
           But
           cannot
           the
           Church
           ,
           and
           every
           woman
           in
           it
           ,
           build
           up
           themselves
           without
           their
           Womans
           Meetings
           ?
           wherefore
           have
           they
           the
           Word
           ,
           their
           Closet
           ,
           and
           the
           grace
           of
           Meditation
           ,
           but
           to
           build
           up
           themselves
           withall
           ?
           He
           saith
           not
           ,
           
             Build
             up
             one
             another
          
           ,
           but
           if
           he
           had
           ,
           it
           might
           well
           have
           been
           done
           without
           a
           Womans
           Meeting
           .
           But
           any
           thing
           to
           save
           a
           drowning
           man.
           
        
         
           This
           Text
           then
           is
           written
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           Christ
           ,
           by
           which
           it
           is
           exhorted
           to
           Faith
           and
           Prayer
           ,
           but
           it
           speaks
           not
           a
           word
           of
           a
           Womans
           Meeting
           ,
           and
           therefore
           it
           is
           fooling
           with
           the
           VVord
           to
           suggest
           it
           .
           I
           cannot
           therefore
           ,
           while
           I
           see
           this
           impertinent
           dealing
           ,
           but
           think
           our
           Argumentator
           dotes
           ,
           or
           takes
           upon
           him
           to
           be
           a
           Head
           of
           those
           he
           thinks
           to
           rule
           over
           .
           The
           womans
           Letter
           to
           me
           also
           seems
           to
           import
           the
           same
           ,
           when
           they
           say
           ,
           Mr.
           K.
           
             would
             desire
             to
             know
             what
             Objections
             you
             have
             against
             it
          
           (
           his
           Arguments
           )
           
             and
             he
             is
             ready
             to
             give
             his
             further
             advice
             .
          
        
         
           Thus
           having
           taken
           from
           his
           Arguments
           those
           Holy
           Words
           of
           God
           which
           he
           has
           abused
           ,
           to
           make
           them
           stand
           ;
           I
           come
           next
           to
           the
           Arguments
           themselves
           ,
           and
           intend
           to
           pick
           their
           Bones
           for
           the
           Crows
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           He
           saith
           ,
           
             That
             the
             same
             Spirit
             that
             was
             in
          
           Miriam
           ,
           
             is
             also
             in
             all
             Gods
             Servants
             for
             the
             same
             end
             ,
             both
             to
             pray
             for
             Mercies
             we
             stand
             in
             need
             of
             ,
             and
             to
             praise
             God
             for
             Mercies
             received
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Answer
           ,
           But
           the
           question
           is
           ,
           whether
           Miriam
           did
           ,
           as
           she
           led
           out
           the
           women
           to
           dance
           ,
           〈◊〉
           only
           as
           an
           ordinary
           Saint
           .
           And
           if
           you
           evade
           this
           ,
           you
           chuse
           the
           tongue
           of
           the
           Crafty
           ,
           and
           use
           the
           words
           of
           deceit
           ;
           For
           she
           managed
           that
           work
           as
           she
           was
           
             Miriam
             the
             Prophetess
          
           ;
           and
           in
           your
           next
           ,
           Pray
           tell
           your
           women
           so
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           
             But
             as
             Miriam
             the
             Prophetess
          
           ,
           she
           did
           not
           lead
           the
           women
           from
           their
           men
           ,
           to
           worship
           in
           some
           place
           remote
           by
           themselves
           ,
           as
           we
           have
           shewed
           before
           .
        
         
           2dly
           ,
           
             He
             saith
             ,
             that
             God
             hath
             promised
             to
             pour
             out
             his
             Spirit
             in
             Gospel
             times
             to
             that
             very
             end
             ,
             that
             women
             might
             Pray
             together
             apart
             from
             men
             .
          
        
         
         
           Answer
           .
           Not
           mentioning
           again
           what
           was
           said
           before
           :
           I
           add
           ;
           if
           by
           men
           ,
           he
           means
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           the
           Prophet
           will
           not
           be
           his
           Voucher
           ,
           for
           he
           neither
           saith
           nor
           intimates
           such
           a
           thing
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           And
           how
           far
           short
           this
           saying
           is
           ,
           of
           making
           of
           God
           and
           his
           holy
           Prophet
           ,
           the
           Author
           of
           Schism
           in
           Worship
           ,
           and
           an
           encouragement
           unto
           Schism
           therein
           ,
           't
           is
           best
           in
           time
           that
           he
           looks
           to
           it
           .
           For
           if
           they
           may
           withdraw
           ,
           
             to
             do
             thus
          
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           they
           may
           withdraw
           ,
           
             to
             do
             thus
          
           at
           another
           :
           And
           if
           the
           Spirit
           is
           given
           to
           them
           to
           
             this
             very
             end
          
           ,
           that
           they
           may
           go
           by
           themselves
           from
           the
           Church
           ,
           to
           perform
           this
           Divine
           Worship
           at
           one
           time
           ,
           they
           may
           ,
           for
           what
           bounds
           this
           man
           has
           set
           them
           ,
           go
           by
           themselves
           to
           do
           thus
           always
           .
           But
           ,
           as
           I
           said
           ,
           the
           whole
           of
           this
           Proposition
           being
           false
           ,
           the
           Error
           is
           still
           the
           greater
           .
        
         
           3dly
           ,
           God
           ,
           saith
           he
           ,
           
             hath
             so
             well
             approved
             of
             women
             meeting
             together
             to
             Pray
             in
             Gospel
             times
             ,
             as
             then
             ,
             and
             at
             that
             time
             ,
             to
             take
             occasion
             to
             make
             known
             his
             Mind
             and
             Will
             to
             them
             concerning
             Jesus
             Christ
             ,
          
           Acts
           16.13
           .
        
         
           Answ.
           Let
           the
           Reader
           consider
           what
           was
           said
           afore
           ,
           and
           now
           it
           follows
           ;
           If
           this
           Assertion
           be
           true
           ,
           then
           Popish
           Doctrine
           of
           Merit
           is
           good
           ,
           yea
           the
           worst
           sort
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           is
           ,
           works
           done
           afore
           Faith.
           For
           that
           we
           read
           of
           none
           of
           these
           women
           save
           Lydia
           feared
           or
           worshipped
           God
           ;
           and
           yet
           saith
           he
           ,
           God
           so
           approved
           of
           that
           Meeting
           as
           then
           ,
           &
           at
           that
           time
           to
           send
           them
           his
           Gospel
           ,
           which
           is
           one
           of
           the
           Richest
           Blessings
           ;
           nor
           will
           it
           help
           to
           lay
           Cornelius
           now
           in
           my
           way
           ,
           for
           the
           deservings
           here
           were
           ,
           for
           ought
           we
           read
           ,
           of
           women
           that
           feared
           not
           God.
           Here
           Lydia
           only
           bare
           that
           Character
           ,
           't
           is
           said
           SHE
           worshipped
           God
           ,
           but
           she
           was
           not
           all
           the
           women
           .
           But
           Mr.
           K.
           saith
           
             thus
             of
             them
             all
          
           .
           I
           know
           also
           there
           was
           Faith
           in
           some
           in
           Messias
           to
           come
           ,
           though
           when
           he
           came
           ,
           they
           knew
           not
           his
           person
           ;
           but
           this
           is
           not
           the
           case
           neither
           ;
           These
           women
           ,
           who
           held
           up
           as
           he
           feigned
           ,
           this
           Meeting
           ,
           were
           not
           as
           we
           read
           of
           ,
           of
           this
           people
           .
        
         
           4.
           
           
             He
             said
             ,
             That
          
           Esther
           
             and
             her
             Maids
             Fasted
             and
             Prayed
             ,
             and
             the
             Lord
             gave
             a
             gracious
             return
             ,
             or
             answer
             and
             deliverance
             .
          
           That
           ,
           is
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           that
           then
           was
           under
           the
           Rage
           of
           Haman
           .
        
         
           Answ.
           Let
           the
           Reader
           remember
           what
           was
           said
           before
           ,
           and
           now
           I
           ask
           this
           man
           ,
           
             
               1.
               
               Whether
               Mordecai
               and
               the
               good
               men
               then
               did
               not
               Pray
               and
               Fast
               as
               well
               as
               she
               ?
               And
               if
               so
               ,
               whether
               they
               might
               not
               obtain
               at
               least
               ,
               some
               little
               of
               the
               Mercy
               ,
               as
               well
               as
               those
               women
               ,
               If
               so
               .
            
             
               2.
               
               Whether
               Mr.
               K.
               in
               applying
               the
               deliverance
               of
               this
               people
               
               to
               the
               prayer
               of
               the
               Queen
               and
               her
               Maids
               ,
               for
               he
               lays
               it
               only
               there
               ,
               be
               not
               deceitful
               arguing
               ,
               and
               doth
               not
               tend
               to
               puff
               up
               that
               Sex
               ,
               to
               their
               hurt
               and
               dammage
               ?
               yea
               whether
               it
               doth
               not
               tend
               to
               make
               them
               unruly
               and
               head
               strong
               ?
               But
               if
               they
               be
               more
               gently
               inclined
               to
               obedience
               ,
               no
               thanks
               to
               Mr.
               K.
               
            
             
               3.
               
               And
               if
               I
               should
               ask
               Mr.
               K.
               who
               gave
               him
               authority
               to
               attribute
               thus
               the
               deliverance
               of
               this
               people
               ,
               to
               who
               and
               what
               Prayers
               he
               please
               ,
               I
               suppose
               it
               would
               not
               be
               easie
               for
               him
               to
               answer
               .
               The
               Text
               saith
               not
               ,
               that
               the
               Prayers
               of
               these
               women
               procured
               the
               Blessing
               .
               But
               Mr.
               K.
               hath
               here
               a
               Womans
               Meeting
               to
               vindicate
               ,
               and
               therefore
               it
               is
               that
               he
               is
               thus
               out
               in
               his
               mind
               .
            
          
        
         
           Prayers
           were
           heard
           and
           the
           Church
           was
           delivered
           .
           And
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           that
           these
           good
           women
           had
           hand
           and
           heart
           in
           the
           work
           .
           But
           should
           all
           be
           admitted
           that
           Mr.
           K.
           hath
           said
           as
           to
           this
           also
           ,
           yet
           this
           Scripture
           ,
           as
           hath
           already
           been
           proved
           ,
           will
           not
           justifie
           his
           womans
           Meeting
           .
        
         
           5.
           
           
             He
             makes
             his
             appeal
             to
             the
             women
             ,
             if
             they
             have
             not
             obtained
             by
             their
             Prayers
             in
             these
             their
             Meetings
             ,
             many
             blessed
             returns
             of
             Prayer
             from
             God
             ,
             both
             to
             themselves
             and
             the
             Church
             of
             God.
             
          
        
         
           Answ.
           I
           count
           this
           no
           whit
           better
           then
           the
           very
           worst
           of
           his
           Paper
           ,
           for
           besides
           the
           silliness
           of
           his
           appeal
           ,
           by
           which
           he
           makes
           these
           good
           women
           to
           be
           Judg
           in
           their
           own
           cause
           ,
           his
           words
           have
           a
           direct
           tendance
           in
           them
           to
           puff
           them
           up
           to
           their
           destruction
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           wondred
           sometimes
           ,
           to
           see
           when
           something
           extraordinary
           hath
           happened
           to
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           for
           good
           ,
           that
           a
           few
           women
           meeting
           together
           to
           Pray
           ,
           should
           be
           possessed
           with
           a
           conceit
           ,
           that
           they
           fetched
           the
           benefit
           down
           from
           heaven
           ,
           when
           perhaps
           ten
           thousand
           men
           in
           the
           Land
           prayed
           for
           the
           Mercy
           as
           hard
           as
           they
           .
        
         
           Yea
           I
           have
           observed
           that
           though
           the
           things
           bestowed
           ,
           were
           not
           so
           much
           as
           thought
           of
           by
           them
           ,
           yet
           they
           have
           been
           apt
           to
           conclude
           that
           their
           meeting
           together
           has
           done
           it
           .
           But
           poor
           women
           you
           are
           to
           be
           pittied
           ,
           your
           Tempter
           is
           to
           bear
           the
           blame
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           this
           man
           and
           his
           Fellows
           .
        
         
           I
           come
           now
           to
           some
           Objections
           that
           may
           yet
           be
           thought
           on
           :
           and
           will
           speak
           a
           word
           to
           them
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Object
           .
           It
           is
           said
           ,
           
             Where
             two
             or
             three
             are
             gathered
             together
             in
             my
             name
             ,
             I
             am
             there
             in
             the
             midst
             of
             them
             ,
          
           Matt.
           18.20
           .
        
         
           Answer
           .
           To
           gather
           together
           in
           Christs
           Name
           ,
           is
           to
           gather
           together
           by
           his
           Authority
           ;
           That
           is
           ,
           by
           his
           Law
           and
           Commandment
           ,
           Acts
           
           4.17
           ,
           18
           ,
           30.
           
           Chap.
           5.28.40
           .
           Colos.
           3.17
           .
           But
           we
           have
           no
           Law
           of
           Christ
           ,
           nor
           Commandment
           ,
           that
           the
           Women
           of
           this
           ,
           or
           that
           Church
           ,
           should
           separate
           themselves
           from
           their
           Brethren
           ,
           to
           maintain
           Meetings
           among
           themselves
           ,
           for
           the
           performing
           of
           Divine
           Worship
           :
           and
           therefore
           such
           Meetings
           cannot
           be
           in
           his
           name
           ;
           that
           is
           ,
           by
           his
           Authority
           ,
           Law
           ,
           and
           Commandment
           ;
           and
           so
           ought
           not
           to
           be
           at
           all
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Object
           .
           
             But
             Women
             may
             ,
             if
             sent
             for
             by
             them
             of
             their
             own
             Sex
             ,
             come
             to
             see
             them
             ,
             when
             they
             are
             sick
             ,
             and
             when
             so
             come
             together
             ,
             Pray
             in
             that
             Assembly
             before
             they
             part
             .
          
        
         
           Answ.
           The
           Law
           of
           Christ
           is
           ,
           
             Is
             any
             sick
             among
             you
             ,
             let
             him
          
           (
           and
           the
           Woman
           is
           included
           in
           the
           Man
           )
           
             call
             for
             the
             Elders
             of
             the
             Church
             ,
             and
             let
             them
             Pray
             over
             him
             ,
          
           &c.
           and
           to
           this
           Injunction
           there
           is
           a
           threefold
           promise
           made
           .
        
         
           
             1.
             
             And
             the
             Prayer
             of
             Faith
             shall
             save
             the
             Sick
             ;
          
           
             2.
             
             And
             the
             Lord
             shall
             raise
             him
             up
             .
          
           
             3.
             
             And
             if
             he
             have
             committed
             Sin
             ,
             they
             shall
             be
             forgiven
             him
             .
             Jam.
             5.14
             ,
             15.
             
          
        
         
           And
           considering
           ,
           this
           advice
           is
           seconded
           with
           so
           much
           Grace
           :
           I
           think
           it
           best
           in
           all
           such
           cases
           (
           as
           in
           all
           other
           )
           to
           make
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           our
           Rule
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           Object
           .
           
             But
             Women
             have
             sometimes
             cases
             ,
             which
             modesty
             will
             not
             admit
             should
             be
             made
             known
             to
             Men
             ,
             what
             must
             they
             do
             then
          
           ?
        
         
           Answ.
           Their
           Husband
           and
           they
           are
           one
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           are
           no
           more
           to
           be
           accounted
           two
           .
           Let
           them
           tell
           their
           grief
           to
           them
           .
           Thus
           Rachel
           asked
           Children
           of
           her
           Husband
           ,
           and
           went
           not
           to
           a
           nest
           of
           Women
           to
           make
           her
           Complaint
           to
           them
           ,
           (
           Gen.
           30.1
           .
           )
           or
           let
           them
           betake
           themselves
           to
           their
           Closets
           ,
           with
           Rebecca
           (
           Gen.
           25.20
           ,
           21
           ,
           22
           ,
           23.
           )
           or
           if
           they
           be
           in
           the
           Assembly
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           let
           them
           Pray
           in
           their
           Hearts
           ,
           with
           Hannah
           :
           And
           if
           their
           petition
           be
           Lawfull
           ,
           I
           doubt
           not
           but
           they
           may
           be
           Heard
           ,
           1
           Sam.
           1.13
           .
        
         
           Our
           Author
           ,
           perhaps
           ,
           will
           say
           ,
           I
           have
           not
           spoken
           to
           his
           Question
           ,
           which
           was
           ,
           
             Whether
             Women
             fearing
             God
             ,
             may
             Meet
             to
             Pray
             together
             ?
             And
             whether
             it
             be
             Lawfull
             for
             them
             so
             to
             do
             ?
          
        
         
           But
           I
           Answer
           ,
           I
           have
           :
           with
           respect
           to
           all
           such
           Godly
           Women
           as
           are
           in
           the
           Churches
           of
           the
           Saints
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           14.33
           ,
           34
           ,
           35.
           compared
           with
           Vers.
           15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           
        
         
           And
           when
           he
           has
           told
           us
           ,
           that
           his
           Question
           respected
           only
           those
           out
           of
           Churches
           ,
           then
           will
           I
           confess
           that
           I
           did
           mistake
           him
           .
           Yes
           
           he
           will
           gett
           nothing
           thereby
           ,
           for
           as
           much
           as
           his
           Question
           to
           be
           sure
           intends
           those
           in
           special
           :
           Also
           his
           Arguments
           are
           for
           the
           Justifying
           of
           that
           their
           Practise
           .
        
         
           Now
           the
           reason
           why
           I
           waved
           the
           form
           of
           his
           Question
           ,
           was
           ,
           because
           it
           was
           both
           scanty
           and
           lean
           of
           Words
           ,
           as
           to
           the
           matter
           of
           Controversie
           in
           hand
           :
           Also
           I
           thought
           it
           best
           to
           make
           it
           more
           ample
           ,
           and
           distinct
           ,
           for
           the
           Edification
           of
           our
           Reader
           .
           And
           if
           after
           all
           ,
           Mr.
           K.
           is
           not
           pleased
           at
           what
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           let
           him
           take
           up
           the
           Question
           ,
           and
           Answer
           it
           better
           .
           The
           Man
           perhaps
           may
           fly
           to
           the
           case
           of
           utter
           necessity
           ,
           and
           so
           bring
           forth
           another
           Question
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           
             whether
             ,
             if
             the
             Men
             of
             a
             Church
             should
             all
             die
             ,
             be
             murdered
             ,
             or
             cast
             into
             prison
             :
             The
             Women
             of
             that
             Church
             may
             not
             Meet
             together
             to
             Pray
             ?
             And
             whether
             it
             be
             not
             Lawfull
             for
             them
             so
             to
             do
          
           ?
           But
           when
           he
           produceth
           a
           necessity
           for
           the
           puting
           of
           such
           a
           Question
           ,
           and
           then
           shall
           put
           it
           to
           me
           ;
           I
           will
           ,
           as
           God
           shall
           help
           me
           ,
           give
           him
           an
           Answer
           thereto
           .
        
         
           But
           ,
           may
           some
           say
           ,
           Our
           Women
           in
           this
           ,
           do
           not
           what
           they
           do
           ,
           of
           their
           own
           Heads
           ,
           they
           are
           allowed
           to
           do
           what
           they
           do
           by
           the
           Church
           .
        
         
           I
           Answer
           ,
           No
           Church-allowance
           is
           a
           Foundation
           sufficient
           to
           Justifie
           that
           which
           is
           neither
           Commanded
           nor
           Allowed
           by
           the
           Word
           .
           Besides
           ,
           who
           knows
           not
           ,
           that
           have
           their
           Eyes
           in
           their
           Heads
           ,
           what
           already
           has
           ,
           and
           what
           further
           may
           come
           into
           the
           Churches
           ,
           at
           such
           a
           gapp
           as
           this
           .
        
         
           And
           now
           to
           give
           the
           Reader
           a
           Cautionary
           Conclusion
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           Take
           heed
           of
           letting
           the
           name
           ,
           or
           good
           shew
           of
           a
           thing
           ,
           begett
           in
           thy
           Heart
           a
           Religious
           reverence
           of
           that
           thing
           ;
           but
           look
           to
           the
           Word
           for
           thy
           bottom
           ,
           for
           it
           is
           the
           Word
           that
           Authorizeth
           ,
           what
           ever
           may
           be
           done
           with
           Warrant
           in
           Worship
           ,
           to
           God
           ;
           without
           the
           Word
           ,
           things
           are
           of
           humain
           invention
           ,
           of
           what
           Splendor
           or
           Beauty
           soever
           they
           may
           appear
           to
           be
           .
           Without
           doubt
           the
           Fryers
           and
           Nunns
           ,
           and
           their
           Religious
           Orders
           ,
           were
           of
           a
           good
           intent
           at
           first
           ,
           as
           also
           compulsive
           vowes
           of
           chastitie
           ,
           single
           life
           ,
           and
           the
           like
           :
           But
           they
           were
           all
           without
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           therefore
           ,
           as
           their
           bottom
           wanted
           divine
           Authority
           ,
           so
           the
           Practise
           wanted
           Sanctity
           by
           the
           Holy
           Ghost
           .
           The
           Word
           Prayer
           ,
           is
           ,
           of
           it self
           ,
           in
           appearance
           so
           Holy
           ,
           that
           he
           forthwith
           seems
           to
           be
           a
           Devil
           that
           forbids
           it
           :
           And
           yet
           we
           finde
           that
           Prayers
           have
           been
           out
           of
           joynt
           ,
           
           and
           disorderly
           used
           ;
           and
           therefore
           may
           by
           one
           ,
           without
           incurring
           the
           danger
           of
           damnation
           ,
           be
           called
           into
           Question
           ;
           and
           if
           found
           without
           Order
           by
           him
           ,
           he
           may
           labour
           to
           set
           them
           in
           joynt
           again
           ,
           Matt.
           6.5
           ,
           6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8.
           
           Chap.
           23.14
           .
           Jam.
           4.3
           .
        
         
           I
           am
           not
           of
           the
           number
           of
           them
           ,
           that
           say
           ,
           
             Of
             what
             profit
             is
             it
             ,
             if
             we
             should
             Pray
             unto
             God
          
           ?
           Job
           21.15
           .
           But
           finding
           no
           good
           footing
           in
           the
           Word
           for
           that
           kind
           of
           service
           we
           have
           treated
           about
           above
           ,
           and
           knowing
           that
           error
           and
           humain
           inventions
           in
           Religion
           will
           not
           offer
           themselves
           ,
           but
           with
           wiped
           lipps
           ,
           and
           a
           countenance
           as
           demure
           as
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           also
           being
           perswaded
           that
           this
           Opinion
           of
           Mr.
           K.
           is
           vagrant
           ,
           yea
           a
           meer
           alien
           as
           to
           the
           Scriptures
           ,
           I
           being
           an
           Officer
           ,
           have
           apprehended
           it
           ,
           and
           put
           it
           in
           the
           stocks
           ,
           and
           there
           will
           keep
           it
           ,
           till
           I
           see
           by
           what
           Authority
           it
           has
           leave
           to
           pass
           and
           repass
           as
           it
           lists
           ,
           among
           the
           Godly
           in
           this
           Land.
           
        
         
           2ly
           .
           Yet
           by
           all
           that
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           I
           never
           meant
           to
           intimate
           in
           the
           least
           ,
           but
           that
           believing
           Women
           are
           Saints
           as
           well
           as
           Men
           :
           And
           members
           of
           the
           body
           of
           Christ.
           And
           I
           will
           add
           ,
           that
           as
           they
           ,
           and
           we
           ,
           are
           united
           to
           Christ
           ,
           and
           made
           members
           of
           his
           mystical
           body
           ,
           the
           fulness
           of
           him
           that
           sills
           all
           in
           all
           :
           So
           there
           is
           no
           superiority
           ,
           as
           I
           know
           of
           ,
           but
           we
           are
           all
           one
           in
           Christ.
           For
           ,
           
             the
             Man
             is
             not
             without
             the
             Woman
             ,
             nor
             the
             Woman
             without
             the
             Man
             in
             the
             Lord
             ,
          
           nor
           are
           we
           counted
           as
           Male
           or
           Female
           in
           him
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.11
           .
           Galat.
           3.28
           .
           Ephes.
           1.23
           .
           Only
           we
           must
           observe
           that
           this
           is
           spoken
           of
           that
           Church
           which
           is
           his
           True
           Mystical
           Body
           ,
           and
           not
           of
           every
           particular
           Congregation
           of
           professing
           Christians
           .
        
         
           The
           Churches
           of
           Christ
           here
           ,
           and
           there
           ,
           are
           also
           called
           his
           Body
           :
           But
           no
           Church
           here
           ,
           though
           never
           so
           famous
           ,
           must
           be
           taken
           for
           that
           of
           which
           mention
           was
           made
           afore
           .
        
         
           As
           Christ
           then
           ,
           has
           a
           Body
           Mystical
           ,
           which
           is
           called
           his
           Members
           ,
           his
           Flesh
           ,
           and
           his
           
             Bones
             ,
             Ephes.
          
           5.30
           .
           So
           he
           has
           a
           Body
           Politick
           ,
           Congregations
           modelled
           by
           the
           skill
           that
           his
           Ministers
           have
           in
           his
           Word
           ,
           for
           the
           bearing
           up
           of
           his
           Name
           ,
           and
           the
           preserving
           of
           his
           Glory
           in
           the
           World
           against
           Antichrist
           .
           In
           this
           Church
           ,
           Order
           ,
           and
           Discipline
           ,
           for
           the
           nourishing
           up
           of
           the
           True
           Mystical
           Body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           has
           been
           placed
           from
           the
           Foundation
           of
           the
           World.
           Wherefore
           in
           this
           ,
           Laws
           ,
           and
           Statutes
           ,
           and
           Government
           ,
           is
           to
           be
           looked
           after
           ,
           and
           given
           heed
           unto
           ,
           for
           the
           Edification
           of
           that
           ,
           
           which
           is
           to
           arive
           at
           last
           to
           a
           perfect
           Man
           :
           To
           the
           measure
           of
           the
           Statute
           of
           the
           Fulness
           of
           Christ
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           12.27
           ,
           28
           ,
           29
           ,
           Ephes.
           4.11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           
        
         
           Now
           where
           there
           is
           Order
           ,
           and
           Government
           by
           Laws
           and
           Statutes
           :
           There
           must
           ,
           of
           necessity
           ,
           be
           also
           a
           distinction
           of
           
             Sex
             ,
             Degrees
          
           ,
           and
           Age
           :
           Yea
           ,
           Offices
           ,
           and
           Officers
           must
           also
           be
           there
           ,
           for
           our
           furtherance
           ,
           and
           Joy
           of
           Faith.
           
             From
             which
             Government
             and
             Rule
             ,
             our
             Ordinary
             Women
             are
             excluded
             by
             Paul
          
           ;
           nor
           should
           it
           ,
           since
           it
           is
           done
           by
           the
           Wisdom
           of
           God
           ,
           be
           any
           offence
           unto
           them
           .
        
         
           In
           this
           Church
           there
           are
           oft
           times
           many
           Hypocrites
           ,
           and
           formal
           Professors
           ,
           and
           Heresies
           :
           
             That
             they
             which
             are
             approved
             may
             be
             made
             manifest
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           11.19
           .
           These
           therefore
           being
           there
           ,
           and
           being
           suffered
           to
           act
           as
           they
           many
           times
           do
           ,
           provoke
           the
           Truly
           Godly
           ,
           to
           contend
           with
           them
           by
           the
           Word
           :
           For
           that
           these
           Hypocrites
           ,
           and
           formal
           Professors
           ,
           Naturaly
           incline
           to
           a
           denyal
           of
           the
           power
           of
           Godliness
           ,
           and
           to
           set
           up
           forms
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           in
           the
           stead
           thereof
           ,
           Mark.
           7.6
           ,
           7
           ,
           8
           ,
           9.
           2
           
           Tim.
           3.5
           .
        
         
           And
           this
           is
           done
           for
           the
           sake
           ,
           and
           for
           the
           good
           of
           those
           that
           are
           the
           true
           Members
           of
           the
           body
           of
           Christ
           ,
           and
           that
           are
           to
           arive
           at
           his
           Haven
           of
           Rest
           :
           From
           whom
           those
           others
           at
           last
           shall
           be
           purged
           ,
           and
           with
           them
           ,
           all
           their
           things
           that
           offend
           :
           Matt.
           13.40
           .
           
             Then
             shall
             the
             righteous
             shine
             like
             the
             Sun
             ,
             in
             the
             Kingdom
             of
             their
             Father
             :
             He
             that
             hath
             Ears
             to
             hear
             ,
             let
             him
             hear
             .
          
        
         
           This
           Church
           ,
           that
           thus
           consisteth
           of
           all
           Righteous
           ,
           that
           are
           so
           in
           Gods
           account
           :
           they
           are
           to
           have
           an
           House
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           for
           Gods
           habitation
           there
           .
           Who
           then
           ,
           shall
           be
           governed
           by
           their
           Head
           without
           those
           Officers
           and
           Laws
           ,
           that
           are
           necessary
           here
           :
           And
           both
           at
           last
           shall
           be
           subject
           to
           him
           ,
           that
           sometime
           did
           put
           all
           things
           under
           Christ
           ,
           that
           God
           may
           be
           all
           in
           all
           ,
           Joh.
           14.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           
           Ephes.
           2.21
           .
           1
           Cor.
           15.23
           ,
           24
           ,
           25
           ,
           26
           ,
           27.
           
           Wherefore
           my
           beloved
           Sisters
           ,
           this
           inferiority
           of
           yours
           will
           last
           but
           a
           little
           while
           :
           When
           the
           day
           of
           Gods
           Salvation
           is
           come
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           when
           our
           Lord
           shall
           descend
           from
           Heaven
           ,
           with
           a
           shout
           ,
           with
           the
           voice
           of
           the
           Archangel
           ,
           and
           the
           Trump
           of
           God
           ,
           these
           distinctions
           of
           Sexes
           shall
           be
           laid
           a
           side
           ,
           and
           every
           pot
           shall
           be
           filled
           to
           the
           Brim
           .
           For
           with
           a
           notwithstanding
           you
           shall
           be
           saved
           ,
           and
           be
           gathered
           up
           to
           that
           state
           of
           Felicity
           ;
           if
           you
           continue
           in
           Faith
           ,
           and
           Charity
           ,
           and
           Holiness
           ,
           with
           sobriety
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           2.15
           .
        
         
         
           Thirdly
           .
           I
           doubt
           not
           at
           all
           of
           the
           Lawfulness
           of
           Womens
           Praying
           ,
           and
           that
           both
           in
           private
           and
           Publick
           :
           Only
           when
           they
           Pray
           Publickly
           ,
           they
           should
           not
           separate
           from
           ,
           but
           joyn
           with
           the
           Church
           in
           that
           Work.
           They
           should
           also
           not
           be
           the
           mouth
           of
           the
           Assembly
           ,
           but
           in
           heart
           ,
           desires
           ,
           grones
           ,
           and
           Tears
           ,
           they
           should
           go
           a
           long
           with
           the
           Men.
           In
           their
           Closets
           they
           are
           at
           Liberty
           to
           speak
           unto
           their
           God
           ,
           who
           can
           bear
           with
           ,
           and
           pitty
           them
           with
           us
           ;
           and
           pardon
           all
           our
           weakness
           for
           the
           sake
           of
           Jesus
           Christ.
           
        
         
           And
           here
           ,
           I
           will
           take
           an
           occasion
           to
           say
           ,
           there
           may
           be
           a
           twofold
           miscarriage
           in
           Prayer
           ,
           one
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           the
           other
           in
           the
           frame
           of
           the
           Heart
           :
           All
           are
           too
           much
           subject
           to
           the
           
             last
             ,
             Women
          
           to
           the
           first
           .
           And
           for
           this
           cause
           it
           is
           ,
           at
           least
           ,
           so
           I
           think
           ,
           that
           VVomen
           are
           not
           permitted
           to
           Teach
           ,
           nor
           speak
           in
           Assemblies
           for
           Divine
           Worship
           ,
           but
           to
           be
           and
           to
           learn
           in
           silence
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           14.33
           ,
           34
           ,
           35.
           
           Chap.
           15.33
           .
        
         
           For
           he
           that
           faileth
           as
           to
           the
           frame
           of
           his
           Spirit
           ,
           hurteth
           only
           himself
           :
           But
           he
           that
           faileth
           in
           Doctrine
           ,
           corrupteth
           them
           that
           stand
           by
           .
        
         
           Let
           the
           Women
           be
           alone
           with
           Rebecca
           ,
           in
           the
           Closet
           ;
           or
           if
           in
           Company
           ,
           Let
           her
           ,
           with
           Hanna
           speak
           to
           her self
           and
           to
           God
           ;
           and
           not
           doubt
           ,
           but
           if
           She
           be
           humble
           ,
           and
           keep
           within
           Compass
           ,
           Shee
           shall
           be
           sharers
           with
           her
           Brethren
           in
           the
           Mercy
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           .
           Nor
           are
           Women
           ,
           by
           what
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           debarred
           from
           any
           Work
           ,
           or
           imploy
           ,
           unto
           which
           they
           are
           enjoyned
           by
           the
           Word
           .
           They
           have
           often
           been
           called
           forth
           to
           be
           Gods
           witnesses
           ,
           and
           have
           Born
           famous
           Testimony
           for
           him
           ,
           against
           the
           Sons
           of
           the
           Sorceress
           ,
           and
           the
           Whore
           ;
           I
           remember
           many
           of
           them
           with
           comfort
           :
           Even
           of
           these
           Eminent
           Daughters
           of
           Sarah
           ,
           whose
           Daughters
           
             you
             also
             are
          
           ,
           so
           long
           as
           you
           do
           well
           ,
           and
           are
           not
           affraid
           with
           any
           amazement
           ,
           1
           Pet.
           3.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3
           ,
           4
           ,
           5
           ,
           6.
           
        
         
           What
           by
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           you
           are
           called
           unto
           ,
           what
           by
           the
           Word
           is
           enjoyned
           ,
           you
           ,
           do
           ;
           and
           the
           Lord
           be
           with
           you
           .
        
         
           But
           this
           of
           the
           Womens
           Meetings
           :
           Since
           indeed
           there
           is
           nothing
           for
           its
           Countenance
           in
           the
           Word
           ,
           and
           since
           the
           calling
           together
           of
           Assemblies
           for
           Worship
           ,
           is
           an
           Act
           of
           Power
           ,
           and
           belongeth
           to
           the
           Church
           ,
           Elders
           ,
           or
           Chief
           Men
           of
           the
           same
           :
           Let
           me
           intreat
           you
           to
           be
           content
           ,
           to
           be
           under
           Subjection
           ,
           and
           Obedience
           ,
           as
           also
           saith
           the
           Law.
           We
           hold
           that
           it
           is
           Gods
           Word
           ,
           that
           we
           are
           to
           look
           to
           ,
           as
           to
           all
           things
           pertaining
           to
           Worship
           ,
           because
           it
           is
           the
           Word
           
           that
           Authorizeth
           ,
           and
           Sanctifieth
           what
           wee
           do
           .
        
         
           
             Fifthly
             .
             Women
          
           !
           They
           are
           an
           Ornament
           in
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           on
           Earth
           ,
           as
           the
           Angels
           are
           in
           the
           Church
           in
           Heaven
           .
           Betwixt
           whom
           also
           there
           is
           some
           Comparison
           ,
           for
           they
           cover
           their
           faces
           in
           Acts
           of
           Worship
           ,
           Isa
           :
           6.2
           .
           1
           Cor.
           11.10
           .
           But
           as
           the
           Angels
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           
             are
             not
             Christ
          
           ,
           and
           so
           not
           admitted
           to
           the
           Mercie-seat
           to
           speak
           to
           God
           ,
           so
           neither
           are
           Women
           on
           Earth
           ,
           
             the
             Man
          
           ;
           who
           is
           to
           Worship
           with
           open
           face
           before
           him
           ,
           and
           to
           be
           the
           mouth
           in
           Prayer
           for
           the
           rest
           .
           As
           the
           Angels
           then
           cry
           ,
           
             Holy
             ,
             Holy
             ,
             Holy
          
           ,
           with
           faces
           covered
           in
           Heaven
           :
           So
           let
           the
           Women
           cry
           ,
           
             Holy
             ,
             Holy
             ,
             Holy
          
           ,
           with
           their
           faces
           covered
           on
           Earth
           :
           Yea
           thus
           they
           should
           do
           ,
           because
           of
           the
           Angels
           .
           
             For
             this
             cause
             ought
             the
             Woman
             to
             have
             Power
             ,
          
           that
           is
           a
           covering
           ,
           
             on
             her
             Head
             ,
             because
             of
             the
             Angels
             ,
          
           1
           Cor.
           11.10
           .
           Not
           only
           because
           the
           Angels
           are
           present
           ,
           but
           because
           Women
           ,
           and
           Angels
           ,
           as
           to
           their
           Worship
           ,
           in
           their
           respective
           places
           ,
           have
           a
           semblance
           .
           For
           the
           Angels
           are
           inferior
           to
           the
           great
           Man
           Christ
           ,
           who
           is
           in
           Heaven
           ;
           and
           the
           Woman
           is
           inferior
           to
           the
           Man
           ,
           that
           Truly
           Worships
           God
           in
           the
           Church
           on
           Earth
           .
        
         
           Methinks
           ,
           Holy
           and
           Beloved
           Sisters
           ,
           you
           should
           be
           content
           to
           wear
           this
           Power
           ,
           or
           badge
           of
           your
           inferiority
           ,
           since
           the
           cause
           thereof
           ,
           arose
           at
           first
           from
           your selves
           .
           'T
           was
           the
           Woman
           that
           at
           first
           the
           Serpent
           made
           use
           of
           ,
           and
           by
           whom
           he
           then
           overthrew
           the
           World
           :
           Wherefore
           the
           Woman
           ,
           to
           the
           Worlds
           end
           ,
           must
           wear
           tokens
           of
           her
           Vnderlingship
           in
           all
           Matters
           of
           VVorship
           .
           To
           say
           nothing
           of
           that
           which
           she
           cannot
           shake
           off
           ,
           to
           wit
           ,
           her
           pains
           and
           sorrows
           in
           Child-bearing
           (
           which
           God
           has
           riveted
           to
           her
           Nature
           )
           there
           is
           her
           Silence
           ,
           and
           shame
           ,
           and
           a
           
             covering
             for
             her
             face
          
           ,
           in
           token
           of
           it
           ,
           which
           she
           ought
           to
           be
           exercised
           with
           ,
           when
           ever
           the
           Church
           comes
           together
           to
           VVorship
           ,
           Gen.
           3.16
           .
           1
           Tim.
           2.15
           .
           1
           Cor.
           11.13
           .
           1
           Tim.
           2.9
           .
        
         
           Do
           you
           think
           that
           God
           gave
           the
           VVoman
           her
           hair
           ,
           that
           she
           might
           deck
           her self
           ,
           and
           set
           off
           her
           fleshly
           beauty
           therewith
           ?
           It
           was
           given
           her
           to
           cover
           her
           face
           with
           ,
           in
           token
           of
           shame
           and
           silence
           ,
           for
           that
           by
           the
           VVoman
           sin
           came
           into
           the
           VVorld
           ,
           1
           Tim.
           2.9
           .
        
         
           And
           perhaps
           the
           reason
           why
           the
           Angels
           cover
           their
           faces
           when
           they
           cry
           ,
           
             Holy
             ,
             Holy
             ,
             Holy
          
           ,
           in
           Heaven
           ,
           is
           to
           shew
           that
           they
           still
           bear
           in
           minde
           with
           a
           kind
           of
           abhorrence
           ,
           the
           remembrance
           of
           their
           Fellows
           falling
           from
           thence
           .
           Modesty
           ,
           and
           shame-facedness
           ,
           becomes
           VVomen
           at
           all
           times
           ,
           especially
           in
           times
           of
           Publick
           VVorship
           ,
           
           and
           the
           more
           of
           this
           is
           mixed
           with
           their
           grace
           ,
           and
           personage
           ,
           the
           more
           Beautiful
           they
           are
           both
           to
           God
           and
           Men.
           
             But
             why
             must
             the
             Women
             have
             shame-facedness
             ,
             since
             they
             live
             honestly
             as
             the
             Men
             ?
          
           I
           Answer
           ,
           In
           remembrance
           of
           the
           Fall
           of
           Eve
           ,
           and
           to
           that
           the
           Apostle
           applies
           it
           .
           For
           a
           VVoman
           (
           necessity
           has
           no
           Law
           )
           to
           shave
           her
           head
           ,
           and
           to
           look
           with
           open
           face
           in
           VVorship
           ,
           as
           if
           she
           could
           be
           a
           leader
           there
           ;
           is
           so
           far
           from
           doing
           that
           which
           becomes
           her
           ,
           that
           it
           declares
           her
           to
           have
           forgot
           what
           God
           would
           have
           her
           for
           ever
           with
           shame
           remember
           .
        
         
           Sixthly
           .
           In
           what
           I
           have
           said
           about
           the
           VVomens
           Meetings
           ;
           I
           have
           not
           at
           all
           concerned
           my self
           about
           those
           VVomen
           ,
           that
           have
           been
           Extraordinary
           ones
           ,
           such
           as
           
             Miriam
             ,
             Deborah
             ,
             Huldah
             ,
             Anna
             ,
          
           or
           the
           rest
           ,
           as
           the
           Daughters
           of
           Philip
           the
           Evangelist
           ,
           Priscilla
           ,
           the
           VVomen
           that
           Paul
           said
           laboured
           with
           him
           in
           the
           Gospel
           ,
           or
           such
           like
           ;
           for
           they
           might
           Teach
           ,
           Prophecy
           ,
           and
           had
           power
           to
           call
           the
           People
           together
           so
           to
           do
           .
        
         
           Though
           this
           I
           must
           say
           concerning
           them
           ,
           they
           ought
           to
           (
           and
           did
           ,
           notwithstanding
           so
           high
           a
           calling
           ,
           still
           )
           bear
           about
           with
           them
           the
           badge
           of
           their
           inferiority
           to
           them
           that
           were
           Prophets
           indeed
           .
           And
           hence
           't
           is
           said
           ,
           under
           pain
           of
           being
           guilty
           of
           disorder
           ,
           that
           if
           they
           Prayed
           in
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           Prophesied
           there
           ,
           with
           their
           head
           uncovered
           ,
           they
           then
           dishonoured
           their
           Head
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.5
           .
        
         
           The
           Prophetesses
           were
           below
           the
           Prophets
           ,
           and
           their
           covering
           for
           their
           head
           was
           to
           be
           worn
           in
           token
           thereof
           ;
           and
           perhaps
           't
           was
           for
           want
           of
           regard
           to
           this
           Order
           ,
           that
           when
           Miriam
           began
           to
           perk
           it
           before
           Moses
           ,
           that
           God
           covered
           her
           face
           with
           a
           
             Leperous-Scabb
             ,
             Numb
          
           .
           12.
           
        
         
           Hence
           these
           VVomen
           ,
           when
           Prophets
           were
           present
           ,
           did
           use
           to
           lie
           still
           as
           to
           Acts
           of
           Power
           ,
           and
           leave
           that
           to
           be
           put
           forth
           by
           them
           that
           was
           higher
           then
           they
           :
           And
           even
           Miriam
           her self
           ,
           though
           she
           was
           one
           indeed
           ,
           yet
           she
           came
           allwayes
           behind
           ,
           not
           only
           in
           name
           ,
           but
           VVorship
           ,
           unless
           when
           she
           was
           in
           her
           own
           disorders
           ,
           Num.
           12.1
           .
        
         
           And
           it
           is
           worth
           your
           further
           noting
           ,
           that
           when
           God
           tells
           Israel
           that
           they
           should
           take
           heed
           in
           the
           Plague
           of
           Leprosie
           that
           they
           diligently
           observed
           to
           do
           what
           the
           Priest
           and
           Levites
           taught
           them
           ,
           that
           he
           conjoyns
           with
           that
           Exhortation
           ,
           
             that
             they
             should
             remember
             what
             God
             did
             to
          
           Miriam
           
             by
             the
             way
          
           ,
           Deut.
           24.8
           ,
           9.
           
           Intimating
           surely
           ,
           
           that
           they
           should
           not
           give
           heed
           to
           VVomen
           ,
           that
           would
           be
           perking
           up
           in
           matters
           of
           VVorshiping
           God.
           
        
         
           Much
           less
           should
           we
           invest
           them
           with
           Power
           to
           call
           Congregations
           of
           their
           own
           ,
           there
           to
           perform
           Worship
           without
           their
           Men.
           
        
         
           Yet
           ,
           will
           I
           say
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           this
           ,
           that
           if
           any
           of
           these
           high
           Women
           ,
           had
           (
           but
           we
           never
           read
           that
           they
           did
           )
           separate
           themselves
           and
           others
           of
           their
           own
           Sex
           with
           them
           ,
           apart
           to
           Worship
           by
           themselves
           :
           or
           if
           they
           had
           given
           out
           Commandment
           so
           to
           do
           ,
           and
           had
           joyned
           Gods
           name
           to
           that
           Commandment
           ,
           I
           should
           have
           freely
           consented
           that
           our
           Women
           should
           do
           so
           too
           ,
           when
           lead
           out
           ,
           and
           conducted
           in
           Worship
           ,
           by
           so
           Extraordinary
           a
           one
           .
        
         
           Yea
           more
           ,
           If
           any
           of
           these
           high
           Women
           ,
           had
           given
           it
           out
           for
           Law
           ,
           that
           the
           Women
           of
           the
           Churches
           in
           New
           Testament-times
           ,
           ought
           to
           separate
           themselves
           from
           their
           Men
           ,
           and
           as
           so
           Separate
           ,
           perform
           divine
           Worship
           among
           themselves
           :
           I
           should
           have
           Subscribed
           thereto
           .
           But
           finding
           nothing
           like
           this
           in
           the
           Word
           of
           God
           ,
           for
           the
           Sanctifying
           of
           such
           a
           Practise
           :
           And
           seeing
           so
           many
           Scriptures
           wrested
           out
           of
           their
           place
           to
           Justifie
           so
           fond
           a
           conceit
           :
           And
           all
           this
           done
           by
           a
           Man
           of
           Conceit
           ,
           and
           of
           one
           that
           ,
           as
           his
           Sisters
           say
           ,
           expects
           my
           Answer
           :
           I
           found
           my self
           engaged
           to
           say
           something
           for
           the
           suppressing
           of
           this
           his
           Opinion
           .
        
         
           But
           to
           return
           to
           the
           good
           Women
           in
           the
           Churches
           ,
           and
           to
           make
           up
           my
           discourse
           with
           them
           .
        
         
           First
           ,
           These
           Meetings
           of
           yours
           (
           honourable
           Women
           )
           wherein
           you
           attempt
           to
           perform
           divine
           Worship
           by
           your selves
           ,
           without
           your
           Men
           ,
           not
           having
           the
           Authority
           of
           the
           Word
           to
           Sanctifie
           them
           ,
           will
           be
           found
           Will-Worship
           ,
           in
           the
           day
           when
           you
           ,
           as
           to
           that
           ,
           shall
           be
           measured
           with
           that
           Golden
           Reed
           ,
           the
           Law
           of
           God.
           And
           
             who
             hat
             required
             this
             at
             your
             hand
             ?
          
           may
           put
           you
           to
           your
           shifts
           for
           an
           Answer
           ,
           notwithstanding
           all
           Mr.
           K.
           has
           said
           to
           uphold
           you
           ,
           Isa.
           1.12
           .
           Revel
           .
           11.1
           ,
           2
           ,
           3.
           
        
         
           Secondly
           ,
           These
           Meetings
           of
           yours
           need
           not
           be
           ;
           There
           are
           Elders
           or
           Brethren
           in
           all
           Churches
           ,
           to
           call
           to
           ,
           and
           manage
           this
           Worship
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           World
           :
           if
           you
           abide
           in
           your
           subjection
           and
           Worship
           as
           you
           are
           commanded
           .
        
         
           Thridly
           ,
           These
           Meetings
           of
           yours
           ,
           (
           instead
           of
           being
           an
           Ornament
           to
           the
           Church
           in
           which
           you
           are
           )
           is
           a
           shame
           and
           blemish
           to
           those
           Churches
           .
           For
           they
           manifest
           the
           unruliness
           of
           such
           Women
           ,
           or
           that
           the
           
           Church
           wants
           skill
           to
           Govern
           them
           .
           
             Have
             you
             not
             in
             your
             stock
             a
             Male
             ?
          
           1
           Cor.
           24
           ,
           25.
           
           Malach.
           1.14
           .
        
         
           Fourthly
           ,
           Suppose
           your
           Meetings
           in
           some
           cases
           were
           Lawful
           ,
           yet
           since
           by
           the
           Brethren
           they
           may
           be
           managed
           better
           ,
           you
           and
           your
           Meetings
           ought
           to
           give
           place
           .
        
         
           That
           the
           Church
           together
           ,
           and
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           as
           the
           mouth
           to
           God
           ,
           are
           capable
           of
           managing
           this
           Solemn
           Worship
           best
           :
           Consider
           .
        
         
           1.
           
           The
           Gifts
           for
           all
           such
           service
           ,
           are
           most
           to
           be
           found
           in
           the
           Elders
           and
           leading
           Men
           in
           the
           Church
           :
           And
           not
           in
           the
           Women
           thereof
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           The
           Spirit
           for
           Conduct
           and
           Government
           in
           that
           Worship
           ,
           is
           not
           in
           the
           Women
           ,
           but
           in
           the
           Men.
           
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Men
           are
           admitted
           in
           such
           Worship
           ,
           to
           stand
           with
           open
           Face
           before
           God
           (
           a
           token
           of
           much
           admitance
           to
           liberty
           and
           boldness
           with
           God
           )
           a
           thing
           denyed
           to
           the
           Women
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.4
           ,
           5.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           For
           that
           when
           Meetings
           for
           Prayers
           are
           Commanded
           ,
           the
           Men
           ,
           to
           be
           the
           mouth
           to
           God
           ,
           are
           mentioned
           ,
           but
           not
           an
           Ordinary
           Woman
           ,
           in
           all
           the
           Scriptures
           .
           Where
           the
           Women
           and
           Children
           ,
           and
           them
           that
           suck
           the
           brests
           are
           called
           ,
           with
           the
           Bride
           and
           Bridegroom
           ,
           and
           the
           whole
           Land
           ,
           to
           mourn
           :
           Yet
           the
           Ministers
           ,
           and
           Elders
           ,
           and
           Chiefest
           of
           the
           Brethren
           ,
           are
           they
           ,
           and
           they
           only
           that
           are
           bid
           to
           SAY
           ,
           
             spare
             thy
             People
             O
             Lord
             !
             and
             give
             not
             thine
             Heritage
             to
             reproach
             .
          
           Joel
           .
           1.13
           ,
           14.
           
           Chap.
           2.15
           ,
           16
           ,
           17.
           
        
         
           5.
           
           The
           Word
           for
           encouragement
           to
           Pray
           believingly
           in
           Assemblies
           is
           given
           to
           men
           .
           And
           it
           is
           the
           Word
           that
           makes
           ,
           and
           that
           Sanctifies
           an
           Ordinance
           of
           God
           :
           Men
           therfore
           in
           all
           Assemblies
           for
           Worship
           ,
           should
           be
           they
           that
           should
           manage
           it
           ,
           and
           let
           others
           joyn
           in
           their
           place
           .
        
         
           Object
           .
           
             But
             the
             Woman
             is
             included
             in
             the
             Man
             ,
             for
             the
             same
             Word
             signifies
             both
             .
          
        
         
           1.
           
           Answer
           .
           If
           the
           Woman
           is
           included
           here
           ,
           let
           her
           not
           exclude
           the
           Man.
           But
           the
           Man
           is
           Excluded
           :
           The
           Man
           is
           Excluded
           by
           this
           Womans
           Meeting
           from
           Worship
           ;
           from
           Worship
           ,
           though
           he
           be
           the
           Head
           in
           Worship
           over
           the
           Woman
           ,
           and
           by
           Gods
           Ordinance
           appointed
           to
           manage
           it
           ,
           and
           this
           is
           an
           Excluding
           of
           the
           worst
           Complexion
           ,
           1
           Cor.
           11.3
           .
        
         
           2.
           
           Though
           the
           Woman
           is
           included
           ,
           when
           the
           Man
           sometimes
           is
           
           named
           ,
           yet
           the
           Man
           is
           not
           Excluded
           ,
           when
           himself
           as
           Chief
           is
           named
           .
           But
           to
           cut
           him
           off
           from
           being
           the
           Chief
           in
           all
           Assemblies
           for
           Worship
           ,
           is
           to
           Exclude
           him
           ,
           and
           that
           when
           he
           for
           that
           in
           Chief
           is
           named
           .
        
         
           3.
           
           The
           Woman
           is
           included
           when
           the
           Man
           is
           named
           ,
           yet
           but
           in
           her
           place
           ,
           and
           if
           she
           Worships
           in
           Assemblies
           ,
           her
           part
           is
           to
           hold
           her
           Tongue
           ,
           to
           learn
           in
           silence
           ;
           and
           if
           she
           speaks
           ,
           she
           must
           do
           it
           ,
           I
           mean
           as
           to
           Worship
           ,
           in
           her
           Heart
           to
           God.
           
        
         
           4.
           
           Nor
           ,
           do
           I
           think
           that
           any
           Woman
           that
           is
           Holy
           and
           Humble
           ,
           will
           take
           offence
           at
           what
           I
           have
           said
           ;
           for
           I
           have
           not
           in
           any
           thing
           sought
           to
           degrade
           them
           ,
           or
           to
           take
           from
           them
           what
           either
           Nature
           or
           Grace
           ,
           or
           an
           Appointment
           of
           God
           hath
           invested
           them
           with
           :
           But
           have
           laboured
           to
           keep
           them
           in
           their
           place
           .
        
         
           And
           doubtless
           to
           abide
           where
           God
           has
           put
           us
           ,
           is
           that
           ,
           which
           not
           only
           highly
           concerns
           us
           ,
           but
           that
           ,
           which
           becomes
           us
           best
           .
           Sisters
           ,
           I
           have
           said
           what
           I
           have
           said
           to
           set
           you
           right
           ,
           and
           to
           prevent
           your
           attempting
           to
           do
           things
           in
           such
           Sort
           unto
           which
           you
           are
           not
           appointed
           .
           Remember
           what
           God
           did
           to
           Miriam
           ,
           and
           be
           afraid
           .
        
         
           Be
           as
           often
           in
           your
           Closets
           as
           you
           will
           ;
           the
           oftener
           there
           ,
           the
           better
           .
           This
           is
           your
           Duty
           ,
           this
           is
           your
           Priviledge
           :
           This
           place
           is
           Sanctified
           to
           you
           for
           service
           by
           the
           Holy
           VVord
           of
           God.
           Here
           you
           may
           be
           ,
           and
           not
           make
           Ordinances
           enterfere
           ,
           and
           not
           presume
           upon
           the
           Power
           of
           your
           Superiors
           ,
           and
           not
           thrust
           out
           your
           Brethren
           ,
           nor
           put
           them
           behinde
           your
           backs
           in
           VVorship
           .
        
         
           Be
           also
           as
           often
           as
           possible
           you
           can
           in
           VVorship
           ,
           when
           the
           Church
           ,
           or
           parts
           thereof
           ,
           are
           Assembled
           for
           that
           end
           ,
           according
           to
           God.
           And
           when
           you
           are
           there
           ,
           joyn
           with
           Heart
           and
           Soul
           with
           your
           Brethren
           in
           all
           Holy
           Petitions
           to
           God.
           Let
           the
           Men
           in
           Prayer
           be
           the
           mouth
           to
           God
           ,
           and
           the
           VVomen
           lift
           after
           with
           groans
           and
           desires
           .
           Let
           the
           Men
           stand
           with
           open
           Face
           in
           this
           VVorship
           ,
           for
           that
           they
           are
           the
           image
           and
           Glory
           of
           God
           ,
           and
           let
           the
           Women
           be
           clothed
           in
           modest
           Apparel
           ,
           with
           shame-facedness
           ,
           in
           token
           of
           the
           rembrance
           of
           what
           has
           been
           touched
           afore
           .
        
         
           When
           Women
           keep
           their
           places
           ,
           and
           Men
           manage
           their
           Worshiping
           God
           as
           they
           should
           ,
           we
           shall
           have
           better
           days
           for
           the
           Church
           of
           God
           ,
           in
           the
           VVorld
           ,
           Jer.
           29.10
           ,
           11
           ,
           12
           ,
           13.
           
        
         
           VVomen
           are
           not
           to
           be
           blamed
           for
           that
           they
           are
           forward
           to
           Pray
           to
           God
           ,
           only
           let
           them
           know
           their
           bounds
           ;
           and
           I
           wish
           that
           Idleness
           
           in
           Men
           ,
           be
           not
           the
           cause
           of
           their
           putting
           their
           good
           VVomen
           upon
           this
           VVork
           .
           Surely
           they
           that
           can
           scarce
           tye
           their
           Shoes
           ,
           and
           their
           Garters
           ,
           before
           they
           arive
           at
           the
           Tavern
           ,
           or
           get
           to
           the
           Coffe-house
           dore
           in
           a
           morning
           ,
           can
           scarce
           spare
           time
           to
           be
           a
           while
           in
           their
           Closets
           with
           God.
           Morning-Closet-Prayers
           ,
           are
           now
           by
           most
           
           London-Professors
           ,
           thrown
           a
           way
           ;
           and
           what
           kind
           of
           ones
           they
           make
           at
           night
           ,
           God
           doth
           now
           (
           and
           their
           Conscience
           when
           awake
           will
           )
           know
           ;
           however
           I
           have
           cause
           ,
           as
           to
           this
           ,
           to
           Look
           at
           home
           :
           And
           God
           mend
           me
           and
           all
           his
           Servants
           about
           it
           ,
           and
           wherein
           we
           else
           are
           out
           .
        
         
           I
           have
           done
           ,
           after
           I
           have
           said
           ,
           that
           there
           are
           some
           other
           things
           ,
           concerning
           VVomen
           ,
           touching
           which
           ,
           when
           I
           have
           an
           Opportunity
           ,
           I
           may
           also
           give
           my
           Judgment
           .
           But
           at
           present
           ,
           I
           intreat
           that
           these
           lines
           be
           taken
           in
           good
           part
           ,
           for
           I
           seek
           Edification
           ,
           not
           Contention
           .
        
         
           FINIS
           .