A TESTIMONY TO The fulfilling the Promise of God, relating To such WOMEN WHO Through the pouring out of God's Spirit upon them, are become Prophetesses, Daughters and Handmaidens: And their Prophesying, Teaching, Preaching and Praying through the Operation of the Spirit of Christ, in the Church proved lawfully, by several plain Scripture Testimonies and Examples, out of both the old and new Testaments, both under the time of the Law, and also in the Gospel Despensation. And the common Objection alleged against the same, from the Apostle Paul's words, in 1 Cor. 14.34. and 1 Tim. 2.12, etc. clearly answered.  
Recommended to the Consciences of all that value the Testimony of holy Scripture, by one who hath diligently searched the Scripture, and hath had an high esteem thereof from his youth.  
Thomas Camm.  This is that which is spoken by the Prophet Joel, And it shall come to pass in the latter day saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, and your Sons and your Daughters shall, Prophecy, your young Men shall see Visions, and your old Men shall dream Dreams: And on my Servants and on my Hand-maidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall Prophesy, Acts 2.— Fellow after Charity, desire spiritual Gifts, but rather that you may Prophesy, for you may all Prophesy one by one, that all may learn, and all may be edified, 1. Cor. 14.— For as many of you as have been Baptised into Christ, have put on Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither Bond nor Free, there is neither Male nor Female, for you are all one in Christ, Gal. 3.27, 28. 
Printed by Andrew Sowle: And sold at the three Kyes in Nags-head-Court in Grace-Church-Street, 1689.   

THE PREFACE To the Reader.  
NOtwithstanding that several have written upon the same Subject, and that both plain, clear and weighty, as the Lord by his blessed Spirit hath moved and assisted you, yet was I under obligation to cast in my Mite amongst my Brethren, that by many Witnesses the matter may be Established) in Testimony to the fulfilling that blessed Promise of Almighty God, in pouring out of his Spirit upon both Daughters and Handmaidens, as well as Sons and Servants, and their Prophesying to Edification in the Church; and the more especially because the following Testimony hath been a weighty concern upon my mind, for several days, in the move and openings of the holy Spirit: And now in the tender Bowels of Love sincerely as a Christians Duty and Service, Recommends the same to the Consciences of all sort of People that profess Christianity.  
Yet more particularly; And first, unto such as have taken occasion to render and conclude those People called Quakers to be deluded, and sleighters, undervaluers and den●ers of the holy Scriptures, only because Daughters and Handmaidens, through the operation of God's holy Spirit, in the divine movings thereof, do in their Meetings and Gatherings together, Speak and Prophesy as the Spirit gives utterance, that the gainsaying Reflections and common Objections of such may be repelled and fully answered.  
Secondly, That all such as are well satisfied in the aforesaid Practice of women's Speaking and Prophesying in the Gatherings of God's People, which is his Church and Congregation, may be furnished with Scripture Testimonies and Examples, to answer the Objections of all Gain-sayers.  
And Lastly, For the information and help of such as may through a kind of respect, to (at least the Letter of) holy Scripture, yet being but little or rather unacquainted with the holy Spirit, that opens the mystery therein, doth either read them in too literal a Sense, or else through Ignorance wrist them, and therefore may scruple or doubt of the Fractice of God's People in this particular; now if thou Reader be such a one, I tenderly beg of thee to wait low in thy Mind, to feel the Illumination of the holy Spirit, by which holy Scripture was given forth, whereby thou mayst not only have the mystery thereof opened in thee, but also receive benefit by what hereafter (in this following Treatise) out of holy Scripture, is in the Love of God recommended to thee in order to thy Satisfaction.  
I have only made use of Scripture Testimony and Examples, as through the holy Spirit that good Remembrancer they were brought into thy mind, yet I believe much might be added, not only from holy Writ, but also from the Practice of many Godly Women, in the dawning of the Gospel-Day, and beginning of Reformation in these latter Ages, when the Superstition of Popery began to be discovered and protested against, who through the Spirit were made Instrumental in the Hand of God, for the building up and confirming others in their Meeting and Congregating together, as by History of credit amongst Protestants may more fully be demonstrated, but at present omitted for Brevity sake, wherefore read and receive the following Lines in true and sincere Love to the Truth as it is in Jesus, abandoning all Prejudice, that the benefit designed thou mayst reap to God's Glory, Truth's Praise, and thy own Satisfaction and Comfort, wherein my end will be fully answered, who is one that hearty wisheth to thee, and all Men, the knowledge of the Truth as it is in Christ Jesus, to whom with God the Father be Glory and Praise in all his Churches, World without end, Amen.  
Thomas Camm. Camsgil, the 10th Month 1684.   

A TESTIMONY TO The fulfilling of the Promise of God, etc.  
AND first in the time of the Law, you may read in Exod. 25. that Miriam, Moses' Sister, was a Prophetess, and prophesied in the Church or Congregation, for the Word Church is by worthy Tindal most frequently Translated Congregation: And in Num. 11.29. you may read how Moses the Man of God, who had the Spirit of God, and knew the Mind of God, wished that all the Lords People, (Mark, all the Lords People) both Sons and Daughters, did Prophecy or were Prophets: Again you may read in the 4th and 5th Chapters of Judges, how Deborah that Judged Israel, and was a Mother in Israel, through the Spirit of Christ, Prophesied and Praised the Lord amongst the People, the Congregation or Army to whom the Lord had given a great Victory over their Enemies; further it may be observed, that Deborah was a Mother in Israel; and it's the concern of Mothers to Instruct and Teach their Children, yea all others over whom God hath made them Judges and Overseers.  
Again in the 1st. and 2d. Chap. of 1 Sam. you may read how Hanah Pray●● to, and Praised the Lord, and rejoyed in God's Salvation, in many gracious Expressions; yea, and in the Temple, and in the presence of the High Priest Eli, and we read not that he for bad her: And in 2 King 22. you may read how good Josiah King of Judah, sent to Husdab the Prophetess to inquire of the Lord by her, and not by any other Prophet: And you may also read what a blessed effect her Words had upon both King, Highpriest and People, to a great Reformation: Moreover in Luke 2. you may read how, that at the time, that the Child Jesus was by the Parents brought into the Temple, to do to him after the Custom of the Law: There was one Anna a Prophetess, a Widow of about Fourscore and Four Years old, who departed not from the Temple, but served God with Fasting and Praying day and night; and in that instant (with good old Simeon) gave thanks likewise unto the Lord, and spoke of Jesus there, in the Temple (Mark in the Temple) to the Church or Congregation there) yea to all them that looked for Redemption in Jerusalem; now observe she was a Prophetess and departed not from the Temple, then where did she Prophesy but in the Temple, Pray in the Temple, gave Thanks in the Temple, and spoke of Jesus in the Temple to all that looked for Redemption in Israel? And we read not that any of the Priests or Ministers of the Temple did forbid Her, neither good old Simeon that was filled with the Holy Ghost, and came by the Spirit into the Temple, and knew the Mind of God, he did not forbid Her to Speak or Pray, or Prophesy in the Temple, the Church or Congregation; no they joined and was at unity in their Testimony, in that blessed Spirit by whom both their Mouths were opened to speak in Prayer and Prophesying to God's Glory, and the Comfort and Edification of all that looked for Redemption by Jesus Christ in Israel: Further you may read in Luke 1. how Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Ghost, and did Prophesy, and Mary blessedly magnified the Lord; what gracious Words proceeded from them through the operation of the holy Spirit that's one in Male and Female: Again in John. 4. it may be read how the Woman of Samaria that discoursed with Christ at Jacob's Well, went into the City Syehar, and Preached Christ to the Men therein, and what an effectual Sermon it was, though but short, Come said she, See a Man that hath told me all that ever I did, Is not this the Christ? and many of the Samaritans of that City, believed on him, for the Saying of the Woman which testified, He told me all that ever I did; now by what's abovesaid, it's plainly evinced, that God in the time of the Law poured out of his Spirit upon Daughters and Handmaiden, as well as upon Sons and Servants, and they Prophesied, Preached and Taught, yea and Prayed too, and Praised the Everlasting God in the Church or Congregation, in the Temple, and in the presence of the High-priests and other Ministers of the Temple, and we read not that they were for bidden.  
But it may be Objected, This was in the time of the Law, but now the Gospel time is come, and hath not Paul, that was a Minister of the Gospel, prohibited women's Speaking in the Church, in 1 Cor. 14.34. & 1 Tim. 2.12. etc.  
To which is answered, that by what's above written its manifest, how God did pour out of his Spirit upon some Women, Daughters and Handmaidens according to measure in the time of the Law, and they Preached or Prophesied, and Taught in the Church or Congregation, and Praised and magnified God there also, through the operation of the Spirit then poured out upon them, though but in the time of the Law, which was to be fulfilled and come to an end (mark that) And then God promised, that cannot lie, to pour out of his Spirit more universally upon all Flesh, as may be read in Joel 2. And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, and your Sons and your Daughters, (mark, Daughters also) shall Prophesy; your old Men shall dream Dreams, your young Men shall see Visions, and also upon the Servants and upon the Handmaids (mark Handmaids also) in those days will I pour out my Spirit: O blessed Promise to be fulfilled in the latter Days, the Gospel Days; yea, the Apostle Peter bears Record to the fulfilling thereof, as may be read in Acts 2. This is that, saith he, which is spoken by the Prophet Joel, And it shall come to pass in the latter Days saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all Flesh, and your Sons and your Daughters shall Prophesy, and your young Men shall see Visions, and your old Men shall dream Dreams, and on my Servants, and on my Handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit, and they shall Prophesy; mark, God saith they shall Prophesy, here is the time of the fulfilling of the Promise, this is the Gospel Day, wherein Daughters and Handmaidens is to Prophesy more universally then in the time of the Law, though then God poured out of his Spirit upon some, and they Prophesied as before said: This is so glorious a Dispensation, that the Apostle Paul saith, You may all (mark all) Prophesy one by one, yea, he adviseth all to follow after Charity, and desire after spiritual Gifts, But rather, saith he (mark that) that you may Prophesy, for he that Prophesieth speaketh unto Men to Edification and Exhortation, and Comfort, yea, he that Prophesieth, Edifieth the Church, 1 Cor. 14. Now that the Church might be thus Edified, hath God Almighty in his infinite Kindness, in this latter Day, and Gospel Day, poured out of his Spirit upon both Sons and Daughters, and they may both Prophesy in the Church or Congregation; yea, God that's above all hath said, they shall Prophesy, who therefore can limit the Spirit of the Almighty, who can set bounds thereto, it's one and the same in the Female as the Male, and is through both to speak, yea, for all in this Church of God, that hath the Spirit of God poured upon them, may by the same Prophecy to Edification, For you may all (mark all) Prophesy one by one, that all may Learn, and all may be Comforted, etc. 1 Cor. 14.31. For it's not the Woman that speaks, but the Spirit of the Father through the Male and Female, according to Christ's Saying in Mat. 10.20. It's not you, saith Christ, that speaks, but the Spirit of the Father that speaketh in you: Now it's not the Man nor the Woman that speaketh, but the Spirit that God the Father hath poured upon Sons and Daughters, Servants and Handmaids in this Gospel Day, that Holy Day and Sabbath, testified of in Isa. 58.13. as followeth thus, viz. If thou turn away thy foot from the Sabbath, from doing thy Pleasure on my Holy Day, and call the Sabbath a Delight, the Holy of the Lord, Honourable, and shalt honour him, not doing thine own Ways, nor finding thine own Pleasure, nor Speaking (observe nor Speaking) thine own Words; here neither Man nor Woman is to speak their own Words, for every Woman or Man either that speaks their own Words, are forbidden to speak in the Church, in the Congregation, in the Meetings and Assemblies of God's People, for such regard not the Holy Sabbath, the Gospel-Day, and Holy, in which Male nor Female are to speak their own Words, for who are Baptised into the one Spirit, who have drunk into the one Spirit, who have put on the Lord Christ, is a new Creature, as saith Paul in 2 Cor. 5.17. Therefore if any Man be in Christ, he is a new Creature, old things are passed away, behold all things are become new; here is the blessed Restoration out of the Fall, through Christ that's one in both Male and Female, both hath he purchased by an high price unto himself; and such are not to speak their own Words in his Church, in this Gospel day and time of his holy Sabbath, but to adminster out of the Abundance of the Spirit, that God the Father gives; here the Spirit utters itself through the Male and Female, for both are one in the Spirit of Truth, both are one in Christ as may be read in Gal. 3.27, 28. For as many of you as have been Baptised into Christ, have put on Christ, there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither Bond nor Free, there is neither Male nor Female, for they are all one in Christ; Here is no difference in Christ, Christ may speak in Male and in Female, who is it that will limit him in his Church, may not he speak through the Daughters and Handmaidens that's filled with his Spirit, as well as through the Sons and Servants being there is no difference, all are one in him? yea, he doth and hath done it in his Church and Congregation, who is Lord and Lawgiver, and is to be Obeyed, Worshipped and Served both by Male and Female. So its clear that it's not the Woman that's filled with the Spirit, in whom Christ dwells, rules, and is Head that's forbidden, or not permitted to speak in the Church; but such as are silly Women that are ever learning, but never come to the knowledge of Christ the Truth, that's not taught by him, nor led by him, such as obey him not; so usurps an Authority, speaks their own Words, speaks of themselves, not from Christ, not out of the abundance of the Spirit that God gives, but out of the abundance of their own unsanctified Hearts and Wisdom, such, whether Men or Women, are forbidden to speak in the Church, in the Congregation they are to be silent, and to learn in Subjection, it's a shame for such to usurp Authority and speak. Now by what's before said its cleared that the Spirit is poured out upon Sons and Daughters also, and they are to prophesy; let's see what Testimonies the holy Scriptures affords, as with respect to Practice, since the time of the Gospel revealed.  
First, Mary Magdalen was commissioned to Peach and Publish the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to his Disciples, as may be read in Matth. 28.7. where she was commanded to go quickly and tell his Disciples, That he is risen from the Dead, and behold he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall you see him, lo, I have told you. And in Mark 16.7, 9, 10. Marry Magdalen, and Mary the Mother of James and Salome were commanded to publish unto the Disciples the Resurrection of Christ, where it's said, Go your way, tell his Disciples, and Peter, that he goeth before you into Galilee, there shall you see him, as he said unto you. Here you may see that these good Women were commissioned by the Angel to preach the Resurrection of Christ to his Disciples: Furthermore, when Jesus was risen early the first day of the Week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven Devils, and she went and told them that she had been with him, as they mourned and wept. And in Luk. 24.9, 10. And returned from the Sepulchre, and told all these things unto the Eleven, and to all the rest (mark, all the rest) it was Mary Magdalen, and Joana, and Mary the Mother of James, and other Women (Mark, other Women also) that were with them, which told these things unto the Apostles. Again, in John 20.16, 17, 18. Jesus saith unto her, Marry, she turneth herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master. Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not, for I am not yet ascended to my Father, but go to my Brethren, and say to them, (observe) and say to them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God. Mary Magdalen came and told the Disciples, that she had seen the Lord, and that he had spoken these things unto her. Hereby its clear that Mary was the first unto whom Jesus appeared after he was risen, and the first Preacher of his Resurrection; she and the other Women, before mentioned, spoke of and published the Resurrection of Jesus unto the eleven, and all the rest. Surely none will deny but the eleven and all the rest was the Church of Christ in that day; in this Church they spoke, preached and taught, and was commissioned thereto by the Lord, Christ, the Head of the Church, the everlasting Highpriest, whose Lips preserve true Knowledge, whom all are to hear and obey, and whoever doth not hear the voice of this Prophet, is to be cut off from amongst the People, is to be separated from his Church, and not to speak therein, for its whom he Commissions, whom he dictates to, and speaks in, whether Male or Female, that is to Speak, Preach and Teach good things to Edification, in his Church, in the Congregations and Meetings of his People. Further, Aquilla, and Priscilla his Wife, were both Expounders of the Way of God more perfectly, as may be read in Acts 18. vers. 27. Them doth Paul greet by Name in his Epistle to the Romans, Chap. 16. and there calls them both his Helpers in Christ Jesus: To whom not only Paul, but also all the Churches of the Gentiles gave thanks, whereby its evident, they had been both of them public Labourers amongst the Believers in all the Churches of the Gentiles: Moreover, Paul greets the Church in their House; here was the Church in their House; and must not Priscilla speak in her own House? Must not she labour there? Must not she Pray and Prophesy there, and teach good things there? Must she not expound the Way of God more perfectly in her own House where the Church is? Is she prohibited to Speak or Teach good things? there doth not Paul will that Prayer be made every where; where then must this good Woman, Paul's helper in Christ pray, if not in her own house? If she may and aught to pray every where then in the Church? In her house she is not commanded Silence by Paul Again, you may read in Acts. 21.8, 9 that Philip the Evangelist, one of the seven, had four Daughters Virgins, that did Prophesy; and Paul gave directions how, and in what manner Women shall Pray and Prophesy, as may be read, 1 Cor. 11. where he saith, Now I pray you Brethren, that you remember me in all things, and keep the Ordinances, as I delivered them unto you, every man Praying and Prophesying, having his Head covered, dishonoureth his Head; but every Woman that Prayeth or prophesyeth with her Head uncovered, dishonoureth her Head: for that is all one as if she were shaved, etc. Now he, even Paul, that gives this direction, hath advised to desire after Spiritual Gifts, but rather to Prophesy; for Prophecy tendeth to the Edification of the Church, and the Apostles travel and labour was, that the Church might be edified by Prophesying in the Church: So its clear he did not forbid the Female that had the Spirit of prophecy to speak in the Church, to prophesy and pray in the Church; nay, he hath given directions how they should demean themselves when they pray and prophesy, and saith he, You may all speak one by one (mark, all) that all may learn, and may be edified: God that hath poured out his Spirit is not to be limited in the Male nor Female; these four Daughters of Philip's Paul saith did Prophesy, God had poured out his Spirit upon them for that end, that they might edify the Church, that it might be builded up and established in the most precious Faith of Jesus Christ; such Women as were thus endued, laboured in the Gospel as well as the Men, as may be read in Phil. 4.3. And I entreat thee also, true yoke-Fellow, help those Women which Laboured with me in the Gospel, with Clement also, and with other my fellow-Labourers, whose names are in the Book of Life. Now Paul bid help the Women Labourers in and Publishers of the Gospel, and not forbid them to speak nor publish the Gospel in the Church, for their names were written in the Book of Life, they were come to Christ, by him they had Life, he had poured out of his Spirit upon these Daughters and Handmaidens, and they were in his name, by his Power and Spirit to Prophesy, to Preach and Teach in the Church, to Labour with Paul and Clement in the Gospels; yea, Paul was so far from forbidding, that he entreats his yoke-fellow to help them; yea, he commands them to be Teachers of good things, as may be seen in Titus 2. But speak thou the things (saith Paul to Titus) which become sound Doctrine, that the aged Men may be Sober, Grave, Temperate, sound in Faith, in Charity, in Patience: The aged Women likewise, that they be in Behaviour as becometh Holiness, not false Accusers, not given to much Wine, Teachers (mark, Teachers) of good things, that they may Teach the young Women, (observe, Teach the young Women) to be Sober, love their Husbands, to love their Children; to be Discreet, Chaste, keepers at Home, Good, Obedient to their Husbands, that the Word of God be not Blasphemed, etc. Here is good Women Teachers, this is blessed Teaching; such Teachers are not forbidden to speak in the Church, such have Author●● from Christ and the Apostle Paul to be Teachers of good things amongst them, with whom they Congregate and Meet, for how shall they Teach them with whom they do not meet? and where two or three are gathered in the Name and Fear of Christ, there is he present, there is his Church met together, though but two or three, and Females; here they may, yea, Paul saith, Let the Elder be Teachers of good things to the Younger, such as are learned in the School of Christ, have received the Spirit of Christ, the Spirit of Truth, that leads into all Truth, and are led thereby, acted thereby; the Spirit speaking in them, may instruct others, teach others good things when they are gathered and congregated together, yea, in the Church.  
Moreover, Paul commends Phebe to the Romans, as may be read in Rom. 16.1. And again, makes mention of her in the Conclusion, as followeth, I commend (saith he) unto you Phebe our Sister, which is a Servant of the Church, which is at Cenchrea, written to the Romans from Corinth, and sent by Phebe Servant of the Church at Cenchrea; here Paul calls Phebe our Sister and Servant (that is Minister) of the Church at Cenchrea, for a Minister is a Servant: So here all may see how Paul commends her to the Romans, as a Minister of the Church, and bids receive her in the Lord, as becometh Saints, and to assist her, not one Word of forbidding her to Speak and Minister; no, no, such as laboured with him in the Gospel was his fellow-Helpers therein, his Sisters in the Lord, and Companions in his Work and Ministry; yea, God Almighty through Christ had poured his Spirit upon them all, Sons and Daughters, Servants and Handmaids, they are all therefore to Prophesy, Pray, Preach and Teach as the Spirit moves, leads, instructs and gives utterance; all is to wait upon God to be filled with the Spirit, as Paul directs the Ephesians, Ephes. 5.18. Be not Drunk with Wine, saith he, wherein is Excess, but be filled with the Spirit, etc. And further he adviseth not to grieve the Spirit, as may be read in Eph. 4.30. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, by which you are sealed to the Day of Redemption; neither is this Spirit to be quenched, nor Prophesying despised, as may be read in 1 Thess. 5.19, 20. Quench not the Spirit, despise not Prophesying; now to forbid to speak, or command silence where God hath poured out his Spirit upon Daughters and Handmaids, is to grieve the Spirit, to quench the Spirit, to despise Prophesying, which Paul adviseth the Ephesians and Thessalonians not to do, but to be filled with the Spirit, to desire spiritual Gifts, and rather to Prophesy, and gives the Reason, because saith he, It tends to Edification.  
Now by what's above written, it's cleared by Scripture Testimonies, that Paul did not forbid Women, filled with the holy Spirit, to Speak and Minister in the Church; so those that use Paul's Words against such women's Speaking or Prophesying in the Church, are ignorant of the Spirit that spoke in Paul, unlearned by the same, knows not the meaning, mystery or inward sense thereof, but either takes it too Literally, or else as the Apostle Peter well observes, in 2 Pet. 3.16. Even, saith he, as our beloved Brother Paul, also according to the Wisdom given unto him; as also in all his Epistles, Speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable, wrist, as they do also the other Scriptures unto their own Destruction: Now it's such as are unlearned by the Spirit of Truth, that leads into all Truth, from which Spirit the holy Scriptures were given forth, that wrists them, for it's not by any other Learning that the heavenly Mystery in holy Writings of the Prophets and Prophetesses, Apostles and holy Women can be understood or known, it's not all the natural nor acquired Learning that may be got, that can do it, it's the Inspiration of the Almighty that gives this Knowledge and Understanding, it's this Spirit that searcheth out all things, yea, the deep things of God; none can rightly read or understand the holy Book, but such as are come to the holy Spirit according to measure, by which holy Men were moved to give forth, and write the same, that's the only Key, who wants the same are the unlearned and unstable, though outwardly never so profoundly Learned, and it's they that wrists the Scripture, as aforesaid, it's such that knows not the fulfilling of that ancient and blessed Promise of the Everlasting God, in Pouring out of his Spirit upon Sons and Daughters, Servants and Handmaidens, such forbids both Sons and Daughters, yea, all besides themselves to Speak, Preach or Prophesy in the Church, they are not of Moses' mind, for he wished all the Lords People, Prophets; and Paul saith, You may all Prophesy one by one, and if any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his Peace; but now none must Speak but themselves, neither Son nor Daughter, neither Servant nor Handmaid, although God hath poured his Spirit upon them, and said They shall Prophesy: Yet notwithstanding, such as are made Ministers by Men; Ministers of the Letter, but ignorant of the Spirit, for the love they have to the Gain of their Ministry, yea, for filthy Lucer sake they forbidden all, both Men and Women besides themselves; and furthermore, if any that sits by have any thing revealed, and do Speak, he or she have been quickly hailed out, and often either Beaten, Stocked or cast into Prison for three Months (by a Law made formerly to guard the Priests of that time) as a Disturber: And thus while they talk of God and Christ, Moses, Paul and the holy Scriptures, they are acting quite contrary, like the Scribes and Pharisees of old, who in Words pretended love to God, Moses and the Prophets and their Writings, and to be waiting for the coming of the Messiah, yet when he came, they knew him not, received him not, though Moses and the Prophets were by them read every Sabboth-day, that testified of him, and they no doubt thought themselves profound in the knowledge of them; yet as before said, they did not know him, nor receive him, but crucified him as the greatest of Malefactors, and the reason of their Ignorance is rendered, the Veil was over their Hearts, they knew not the meaning of the Spirit that spoke in the Prophets that testified of the coming of the Just One; none that's ignorant of the meaning of that Spirit that spoke in and through Paul, can understand his Writings, but either takes them too Literally, or else wrists them as beforesaid; for whoever draws that Conclusion from Paul's words in the Text before cited, that all Females are prohibited to Speak, Teach, Preach, Pray or Prophesy in the Church or Gatherings of God's people, do make Paul not only to contradict God Almighty, and the Practice of many Godly Women before cited, but also himself and his own Testimony: for first, God hath said, They shall Prophesy, Christ hath commanded Mary, and the other  holy Women to preach his Resurrection in the Church to the eleven Apostles, and the rest, and they did it; and we read not that any of the eleven, or the rest of the Church then met together, did forbid them: Moreover, Paul himself bids help those Women that laboured in the Gospel, and commends Phebe as a Servant, which is a Minister of the Church at C●nchera; he hath given directions also how the Women are to demean themselves when they Pray or Prophesy, and saith he, You may all Speak or Prophesy one by one: All that have the Spirit poured forth upon them, may speak as the Spirit moves and gives utterance.  
But it may be further objected, That if it be thus, that they may Speak and Prophesy, who have the Spirit poured forth upon them, who then are they that Paul prohibits or permits not to Speak in the Church? 1 Cor. 14.34. and 1 Tim. 2.11, 12. where he saith first to the Corinthians, Let your Women keep silence in the Church; for it's not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under Obedience, as saith the Law; and if they will learn any thing, let them ask their Husbands at home, for it is a shame for a Woman to speak in the Church.  
Now let all seriously weigh the Words of the Text; for if the Words must be taken in the Literal sense, the Woman is not only prohibited speaking, but learning in the Church; for it's said, If the Woman will learn any thing, let her ask her Husband at home. And if so, it doth not only contradict what God Almighty hath said shall be, and what holy Women have practised, as before clearly is demonstrated, but also Paul himself in the very same Chapter, vers. 30, 31. where he saith, If any thing be revealed to another that sitteth by, let the first hold his Peace, for you may all (mark, all) Prophesy one by one, that all may learn, (mark) all may learn, and all be comforted; Furthermore, by the Text, women's Teaching or Prophesying is not prohibited, but to speak, which speaking must by the Words before related, be understood to be Questions tending to strife & the disturbance of the Church, wherefore it's said, Let her ask her Husband at home: And such Speaking or Questions tendeth not to Edification & Comfort, but Disturbance and Contention, of which there is no custom in the Churches of Christ: And further, to manifest that this was Paul's sense, hear what he saith to the same Corinthians in Chap. 11. Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that you come together not for the better, but for the worse; for first of all when you come together in the Church, I hear that there be Divisions among you, and I partly believe it. Now it's such speaking as tendeth to Division and Contention, that's for the worse, and not for the better in the Church, that's forbidden, but teaching good things, Praying or Prophesying, is for the better, praiseworthy, tends to Edification and Comfort, and hath no tendance to Strife or Contention, neither can any reason be rendered that such Women thus Teaching, Praying or Prophesying should be refered to learn of their outward Husbands at home; besides, many have none: Further, Paul in his second Epistle to Timothy very clearly declares what manner of Speaking, and the Spkeaers which are forbidden in the Church, hear what he saith, Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord, that they strive not about Words to no profit, but to the subverting of the Hearers: Eat profane and vain Babble, for they will increase unto more Ungodliness, and their Words will eat as doth a Canker: but foolish and unlearned Questions avoid, knowing that they gender. Strife, having a Form of Godliness, but denying the Power thereof, from such turn away; for of this sort are they which creep into Houses, and lead captive silly Women, loaden with Sins, led away with divers Lusts, ever learning, and never able to come to the Knowledge of the Truth: Here are the Women described that are not permitted to speak in the Church; also the Speaking, the vain Babbling and unlearned Questions that grenders Strife, from them that have a form of Godliness, but deny the Power, such Speakers and speaking is not permitted in the Church; this tends not to Edification and Comfort, and teaching good things, and Prophesying doth, that all may do in the Church that hath the Spirit poured upon them. But such Questions are not proper or convenient in the Church, they usurp Authority that are found in the Practice thereof; there's no such Order or Custom in the Churches of Christ, for what's there done, is to be to Edification, if Women that are thus idle, busybodies and Disorderly shall propose, ask, or speak any such things or Questions, ought not to do it in the Church, they are not permitted there, but rather let them ask their Husbands, or others at home, such are unlearned, not come to the knowledge of the Truth that sets Free, but in the Sin and Bondage, in the Transgression and Fall from God, where the Subjection is to be kept under, and the Husband is to rule over, as saith the Law; It's a Shame for such to Speak in the Church, such are not Witnesses of the Restoration by Christ, in whom Male and Female are all one, and he in both may Speak in his Church, Prophesy in his Church to Edification and Comfort, that all may Learn, and that all may be Edified and Comforted.  
Secondly, As to the Words of Paul to Timothy, which are as followeth, viz. But I suffer not a Woman to Teach nor Usurp Authority over the Man, but to be in Silence. Here is not one word of Teaching in the Church, but hath only relation to such as would usurp Authority over the Man, which Paul permits not, suffers not, to teach in that Usurpation, but such as are taught by the Spirit he permits and commands to teach others good things, to Love and Obey their Husbands, not to usurp Authority over them; for all that comes to learn of Christ and his good Spirit, they learn Meekness, Humility and lowliness of Mind, and such know how to Honour their Husbands, Obey their Husbands, and are thereby preserved out of the Usurpation, though God by his Spirit, that's not to be limited, may make them Instrumental to Instruct their Husbands, as he did by Sarah, and Abraham her Husband was commanded of God to Obey and Answer what she Taught or Instructed him in, yet the Apostle saith, She called Abraham (her Husband) Lord; here is no Usurpation there.  
Wherefore its clear that Paul's Words of not permitting or suffering Women to Speak, had only relation to the Unlearned, Unruly, the Usurpers of Authority amongst the Corinthians, or other Churches, such as usurped Authority over the Man, such are to be slent, they are not permitted to Speak in the Church, they Minister Strife and Contention, and there's no such custom in the Church of Christ. Further, it may very properly be queried of all Objecters, in this wise, That if Women must Learn of their Husbands at Home, of whom then must they Learn that have no Husbands, if there be no other way of Learning, then must they be concluded in Ignorance to remain? But Philip's four Daughters had no outward Husbands to Learn of, Paul saith they were Virgins, yet well Learned, they did Prophesy, wherefore the prohibition by him of not speaking, belongs not to, nor hath any relation to them, nor such other, they may notwithstanding Speak and Prophesy in the Church, and all others who have the Spirit of Prophecy poured out upon them, as the same Spirit moves and gives utterance.  
Now to conclude, God Almighty that's greater than all, hath said, They shall Prophesy; and Daughters and Handmaids have Prophesied, both in time of the Law and Gospel Dispensation in the Churches or Congregation, Christ the Lord and Lawgiver hath Commanded and Commissioned Women to Teach or Preach or Prophesy in the Church, as before is clearly demonstrated, and they obeyed and practised; moreover Paul hath commended Daughters and Handmaids to the Churches, Commanded to receive and assist them, and to help those Women that laboured with him in the Gospel, they did Prophesy, saith he: Therefore let all Gain-sayers and Contradictors of God Alimighty, of Christ Jesus the Lord and Lawgiver, and the Apostle Paul, cease therefrom and stop their Mouths for ever, and let the Unlearned and Unstable, cease to pervert or wrest the Holy Scriptures, for such know not the meaning of the Spirit that spoke in the Prophets and Apostles, Holy Men and Women that have given out the Holy Scriptures by Inspiration of God, and is profitable for Doctrine, for Reproof, for Correction, for Instruction in Righteousness, and are able to make wise unto Salvation through Faith, which is in Christ Jesus, that the Man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good Works, Glory to God for the unspeakable Comfort thereof, administered through the Holy Spirit.   

A POSTSCRIPT of some Testimonies showing, that the Apostles Precepts against women's Speaking was not universal; and that Women have had a Service in the universal Church in several Ages.  
BEfore the Law was given, Miriam was given for a Prophetess, Exod. 15.20. Mica. 6.4. And among the Gentiles under the Law of Nature (as 'tis called) the Sibyls in several Ages prophesied; Augustin saith, By the same Spirit of God that the Prophets did to the Jews, Decivit. dei l. 18. c. 18. And Bishop Montagues writes a whole Book about that matter, Acts and Monuments (before Christ) the 9th Book.  
And for women's Services under the Law, and under the Gospel, Bishop John Bridges writes near a whole Book, Defence, etc. 9th Book, where he shows that though Calvin was the vehementest against women's Teaching, of all that he had read, yet he makes his concession this, That as necessity might require this Precept of Paul of the ordinary course, maketh no absolute debar to all manner of Women, but that now and then some may speak lawfully; Yea, and their Voice is requisite, even in the most sacred, public and greatest Assemblies of the Churches. The said J. Bridges also brings the further Concessions of Peter Martyr, Musculus, Marlorat, Alesius, Aretius, and other emnient Teachers, all granting Paul's precept not to be an universal restraint, bringing the Examples of Women under the Law, as well as Gospel times for instances, as Philip's Daughters, Anna, Deborah, Hulda, Hannab. The Woman's Claim, Deut. 25.7, 9 Abigal the Woman of Abel, 2 Sam. 20.18. The Mother of the seven Sons, 2 Mac. 7. Judith. The Woman, Luk. 11.27. The Virgin Mary. The Woman Matth. 9.20. and Luke 8.44. The Woman of Canaan, Matth. 15.22. The Woman of Samaria, Miriam, Elizabeth, Samson's Mother, Judg. 13.22. The captive Maid, 2 Kings 5.2. and others. That though they be under subjection, yet they may speak, counsel, and teach. So Bridges says, Defence. lib. 1. (which I have heard was set out in Churches) That Extraordinary Gifts are not altogether ceased in the Church. Gualther an Entertainer and Adviser of Queen Elizabeth's Bishops, on Rom. 16. says, Paul is not ashamed to call Priscilla his fellow-Helper, not ashamed of a Woman at the Church of Rome, whose Faith was spoken of through the World. That she was the first named, because perhaps she was first converted, and more known, afterwards instructing her Husband, & they expounded the Way of the Lord to Apollo's, and without doubt to many others, making their House a public Meetinghouse, in time of Persecution. Augustin saith, Every Father and Mother in a Family should play the Bishop. So Gualther called the learned, who speaks there much against the haughtiness of the Clergy, despising mean helps, knowing that in Jesus Christ there is neither Male nor Female. So Dr. Cave says (Prim. Christ. part. 1. c. 8.) He meets with frequent mention of Deaconesses in ancient Writings, as Phebe, two Maids in Pliny's Letter to the Emperor; Clem. Alex. storm. l. 3. Of 〈…〉 calls them She 〈…〉. W. Tindal, that famous Martyr, in his Answer to Sir Thomas Moor, pag. 322. and 287. says, In some cases Women may Teach and Baptise, and Rule their Husbands too if they be besides themselves: Yea, says he, if Histories be true, Women have preached since the opening of the New-Testament. And in four Historians of the ancient Church, (Socrat. l. 1. c. 16. Theod. l. 1. c. 24. Sozom. l. 2. c. 6. Niceph. l. 8. c. 34.) we find that a Woman converted the Nation of the Iberes, who first converted the King, than he preached to the men, and she and the Queen to the Women. Puffinus saith, he received it from Bocurius their first Ruler. And even in declining and corrupter times, mention is made in Histories, what liberty Women had in some Councils. As in Wilfrid (Samms Brit.) a chief Bishop's time, when he would excommunicate the Scots and Northern English, because they would not receive the Romish Rites, Hilda Abbess of Whitby in Yorkshire withstood him, Illyricus test. verit. And also in his time in a Council at Baconkeld, five Kentish Abesses were not only present, but subscribed their Names above all Presbyters, and a Bishop, G. G. Brit. ch. hist. Cent. 7. And Illyricus mentions another English Abbess that wrote to the Pope in defence of Ancient Canons. And Heldegardis she instructed the Pope in his Life, Prophesied, etc. whom Ja. Max●ell in his Book of Prophecies (dedicated to K. James' Bishops) produces, with many other Women. And in the Council of Trent it was confessed, That the Service of women in the Church was degenerated, Hist. Counc. of Trent. l. 2. In the year 1414. Joan White taught & spread her husband's doctrine, J. Fox Martyr. And Dr. Rol. Taylor speaks of women's Services. In the last Age a Woman was principal Ordinary in the Church hers; and in her time there remained Permission for Women to Baptise, as well as in her Sister's time (Conference at Hampton-Court) and I find nothing, but there doth yet. and then why not to Preach? For many therein are permitted to Preach, yet not to Baptise? And 'tis a Rule, that they that may do the greater may do the lesser. However, they are not only permitted, but commanded in the Liturgies Rubric, to speak in the repetition of the Creed, Responses, Psalms, etc. if they be of the Congregation, though not Prophe●eises. For all are not Prophets, Paul says, whose restraint therefore is not universal (confessed by Judgement and Practice) but on occasion of Abuse, as Jerom says, and Calvin too.  
RICHARD RICHARDSON.  
THE END.