A SPIRIT MOVING IN The Women-preachers: OR, CERTAJNE QVAERES, Vented and put forth unto this affronted, brazenfaced, strange, new Feminine Brood.  
Wherein they are proved to be rash, ignorant, ambitious, weak, vainglorious, profane and proud, moved only by the spirit of error.  
LONDON, Printed for Henry Shepherd, at the Bible in Tower-street, and William Ley, at PAUL'S Ch●ine near Doctor's Commons. 1646.   

Certain Quaeres vented and put forth to the Women-Preachers.  
THough perhaps it had been much better and safer for me to have scorned to meddle with these silly frantic creatures, hereafter named, saying unto them with abominated indignation, as the Prophet Isay 30.22. speaks of the covering of superstitious Images, as unto a m●nstruous cloth, g●● thee hence. Yet lest these insulting, in sh●w false Prophetesses (running unsent) should too much insult in their arrogant pride, that no man would, or could rationally encounter their foolish, proud, vainglorious insolences in presuming to advance themselves before, and over men, transgressing the rules of Nature, Modesty, Divinity, Discretion. Civility, etc. in triumphing against Authority, contemning Laws, and all things opposite unto their weak proceed; I have chosen to encounter with these Syr●ns▪ the s●aine of women and of Religion, by some Quaeres put forth unto them and the world, to discover their foolishness▪ weakness, pride, indiscretion, insolency, and vainglorious frenzy▪ How in stead of acting as the Spirit moves them (as all Sectaries pretend) are rather led by the spirit of darkness, ignorance, and gross error.  
When the Devil first adventured to sting the woman, and tempt her as 〈◊〉 weaker vessel, so by her to sting and undo all mankind by all likelihood, he k●●● well what a rare piece he had to deal with, naturally apt unto all mischief 〈◊〉 effect all his plots and purposes, to disturb the whole Fabric of the Creation, and as near as might be, to bring the whole world unto woeful desolation. Witne●●● his after-work since the fall, having for the most part in all ages used especially this silly and weaker Sex, to achieve and compass all his greatest plots and designs; who in all Kings, Princes, and Nobleman's Courts, have been, and yet are his only Engines to effect all his exorbitant desires. For when women bear 〈◊〉 over men, having catched and bewitched them in their subtle snares, what 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that they will not do for them? what requests or gifts will they refuse them? what secrets will not these Dalilabs enforce, even from Samsons themselves? So that for the most part, in all Kings, Princes and great men's Courts and houses, they bear rule, and all things must be as they will, or else there is no peace 〈◊〉 Court nor Country, and many times the less peace, the more they bear sway and rule. And how extremely do the most common lascivious sort of them undo men of all sorts and degrees, whilst be witched with 〈…〉  
But of all other, the Jesuits, Priests, and Separatists of our times and Church, have made, and ever do make singular use of these female Creatures: The former, to learn from them all their husband's secrets, to make use of them, both for prevention of all designs against them, and advancement of their Kingdom: thereby to insinuate into their husband's favours and estates, to lead them which way they list, to their unlawful pleasures, having them once catcht in the snares of Confession, to over-awe them one way, and please them the other way with slight and light penances. And our Separatists in this Kingdom are not in this kind to learn to shufflle their Cards, and how to lead captive (as the Apostle speaks, 2 Tim. 3.6, 7.) silly women laden with divers lusts, ever learning, and never leanred, nor able to come unto the knowledge of the Truth: under colour of long prayers, devouring widow's houses; that so by them they may attain unto all their unlawful secret desires; most of them (for the most part) wearing the breeches, and so draw and lead their husbands by the nose, which way they please, by degrees wasting their estates, and furnishing their pretended holy brother of the Separation, or Schism, with whatsoever he pleases, not displeasing this man of God, as they call him, (though perhaps a wolf in sheep's clothing) whose insinuation with this Female Sex, hath so prevailed with this poor ignorant sort of Creatures, that puffed up with pride, divers of them have lately advanced themselves with vainglorious arrogance, to preach in mixed Congregations of men and women, in an insolent way, so usurping authority over men, and assuming a calling unwarranted by the word of God for women to use: yet all under colour, that they act as the Spirit moves them; wherein they highly wrong and abuse the motions of that blessed Spirit, to make him to be the Author of so much Schism, disorder, and confusion; they being rather led by the strong delusions of the Prince of darkness, to contenance their ignorance, pride, and vainglory, as Hacket and john a Leyden were, who pretended spiritual revelations for all the villainies they committed, even when they were to give up the ghost, dying in the midst of such blasphemies.  
Wherefore that the vanity, weakness, ignorance, pride, ambition, and vainglory of these poor Creatures may be discovered, and that they may see upon what sandy foundations they build their Babel's of confusion in their pretended Congregations, and may repent, and reform themselves for the time to come, I have hereafter provided from the Word some few Quaeres for them, to show both to the world and themselves, how far they are from any lawful authority of preaching unto others, who themselves are so short of knowledge being grossly ignorant, disabled either by precept, rule, or example of holy Scripture, so proudly, grossly, and ignorantly to behave themselves: after which (God willing) I will encounter, if the paper fail me not, with their fort-royal, to overthrow it, showing that their actions are not regulated and ruled by a right, but by a deluding spirit.  
But ere we come to our Quaeres, let us first state the condition and nature of that Sex we are to entreat of; what they are by Creation, and what they are by Degeneration. 1 By Creation, we find her equal unto the man, a helper meet for him, Gen. 2.18. 2 By Degeneration, we find her his inferior, the weaker vessel, as the Apostle speaks, 1 Pet. 3.7. made subject unto man's government, her will for over subjected unto his will, he to bear rule over her, Gen. 3.16. she becoming therewith ignorant, shallow, proud, ambitious, fantastic, inconstant, passionate, and vainglorious, indiscreet, easily led into extremes, either in good, or evil: which drew Solomon's choice to be so as to choose any malice, save the malice of a woman. In which subjected estate, she was no more to wear her hair down along, as in the Creation, but to wear it tied up for a covering, 1 Cor. 11.15. only in one case of jealousy, accused by her husband, when she was to drink the bitter water of her Trial, the Priest then for that time of her accusation was to uncover her head, and stand during that storm, with her hair down as his equal, whereby it appears, that all her life time, she is ever to be in subjection unto the man, and not to advance herself, by dis-honouring mankind, in the presence of men to put herself before men, as these women Preachers, we are now in pursuit of have done, unto whom we present these ensuing Quaeres.  
Quaere 1.  
Why these silly weak women, without calling, example, or precept dare undertake to usurp the Office of Preaching in a mixed Congregation of men and women, seeing the Scriptures never speak of any women's teaching of men, but of being taught by men, or else to be silent; as it is Tit. 2.3. The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things, that they may teach the younger women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the Word of God be not blasphemed. Where we see that those who in those days were permitted to teach, were of the ancienter, graver, and approved sort, not every upstart youngster as now ● This permission was only to teach women, not men.  
Quaere 2.  
Seeing as it is said, 1 Cor. 14.22. The spirits of the Prophets are subject to the Prophets: (not Prophetesses) they having no warrant or right Spirit to be ruled by in this grand action, save by a seeming spirit of error, why yet they will intrude themselves in this grand office of Preaching, the weight whereof made the Apostle Paul the best Preacher, (next, our blessed Saviour) cry out, O who is sufficient for these things? sure not weak, ignorant silly women. But, who is so bold as blind bayard? saith the Proverb, It must needs be a silly flock where the Ewe bears the Bell.  
Quaere 3.  
Seeing women are commanded to keep silence in the Churches not being permitted to speak there, but to be under obedience, and if they would learn any thing, to ask at their husbands at home, as it is, 1 Cor. 14 34, 35. Let your women keep silence in your Churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak, but they are commanded to be under obedience, as also saith the Law: and if they will learn any thing, let them ask their husbands at home, for it is a shame for women to speak in the Church. By what discretion, modesty therefore, or shameless impudence, dare they be thus contumaciously insolent thus to abuse Religion, raise and foment Schisms and Errors in the Church, to undertake to teach and preach in a mixed Congregation of men and women. For to preach unto a mixed Congregation in a House and in the Church is all one in effect, Churches being then by the Apostle thought to be the fittest and most decent places for preaching of the Word in those days, though all sorts of Sectaries do now strive to discredit the same, by House-Preaching by all appearance, having such lights (as Christ told the Scribes and Pharisees) because their deeds were evil  
Quaere 4.  
Seeing is it written, That to one is given the Word of wisdom, to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits, to another divers kinds of tongues, etc. 1 Cor. 12.8, 9, 10. Now seeing the same Spirit is said to work the same in every man, without mentioning any women for such endowments; By what authority & power then can these female Preachers usurp this office of preaching? contrary to the Spirits intention, to fall a preaching as is said unsent or uncalled.  
Quaere 5.  
Seeing the Apostle in re●koing up the endowments of women in the choice of such appointed for some inferior services in those days, makes no mention of preaching amongst the rest, (which surely he would not have forgotten if any such had then been in the Church) saying only, If she have been well reported of, if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the Saints feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work; Yet in all these speaks not of preaching or teaching, 1 Tim. 3.16. by what Authority dare those untoward vainglorious rash indiscreet creatures, presume to preach or teach in mixed Congregations of men, and women: which place they use in Houses in place of the Church.  
Quaere 6.  
Seeing the Apostle writing to Timothy concerning the imposition of hands, and ordination of preaching Ministers, is wondrous choice and wary in warning of him, To lay hands suddenly upon no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins; keep thyself pure, 1 Tim. 5.22. therein makes no mention of ordination, or appointing of women, or imposition of hands upon any of them, by what authority dare they be so bold as to be intruders in this sacred work of preaching the Word proper ever only unto those Ministers, who have a lawful Calling and Ordination?  
Quaere 7.  
Seeing Christ at his ascension up on high, when he had led Captivity captive, furnished his Church with all several offices and endowments for the perfecting of his Church with several Ministerial functions; Ephes. 4.11, 12, 13. And he gave some Apostles, and some Prophets, and some Evangelists, and some Pastors and Trachers, for the perfecting of the Saints, for the work of the Ministry, and for the edifying of the body of the Church, till we all come unto the unity of the of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, into the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, etc. Woman Preachers being here left out and exempted from having any share in this great Ministerial work, not no expositor ever having dreamt or thought of this their late bold intruding impudence, the Church's fullness and perfecting having no need of their public gifts. By what warrant or authority dare they be such bold intruders, to take upon them to teach or preach unto men, who are commanded by the Apostle, 1 Tim. 2.11. To learn in silence what all subjection?  
Quaere 8.  
Seeing that it is written, 1 Tim. 2.12. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor usury authority over the man; but to be in silence. Seeing then the Apostle unto all the foresaid doth directly forbid their preaching and teaching, commanding their silence: By what authority dare they, or can they be so bold, impudent, affronted, and shameless, as to take upon them to teach, or preach before men in a Congregation, therein seeming to assume authority and superiority over men, contrary to the express rule of the Apostle.  
Quaere 9  
Whether or not these usurping vainglorious women (all the forenamed reasons against them being considered) teaching otherwise, and not consenting to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, which are according to godliness, be not as is there showed of that profane rude number, reckoned up, 1 Tim. 6.3, 4. Proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions, and strifes of Words, whereof cometh envy, strife, rail, evil surmisings, perverse dispute of men corrupt and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, from such withdraw yourselves: being silly women, ever learning, and yet never learned, nor able to come unto the knowledge of the Truth, 1 Tim. 3.6, 7.  
Objection.  
But all the Rabble of Separatists, those and all others, have this shield and buckler, wherewith they shrowded themselves in all their undertake, That they only act as the Spirit moves them.  
Answer.  
A false and grossly ignorant Objection, a grand untruth, and imputation put upon the blessed Spirit of Truth, who lead men into all Truth, and countenances no gross errors of Schisms, or errors in any. But to answer them; 1 in general, and then in particular: Certain it is, that as truly might that grand Impostor Mahomet, that counterfeit Christ Hacket, executed in Queen Elizabeth's time; that blasphemous Butcher John of Leyden, who proclaimed himself King of Righteousness, pleading Revelations, Raptures, and Enthusiasms of the Spirits motions for all they did, or said; plead the Spirits Authority and Revelations, as these our shallow, weak, ignorant, preaching Sisters may, and all alike. For if this grand Imposture might pass currant, that men might impute all their gross dreams and fooleries on the Spirits Revelations, what gross impieties and enormities might they not father on the Spirits Revelations, In infinitum? And so abuse the Spirit, the world, and themselves, under a pretended show of holiness, and voluntary counterfeit humility, without any warrant from the Word, the rules whereof must be our warrant in all our actions, without which the Spirit moves not at all, but as he witnesseth unto the Truth of the Word revealed. Thus much in general.  
But more particularly a little to assault and batter this their fort-royal, let us survey three things touching the Spirit, which will clear the point, I suppose: 

1 Let us survey briefly, The Spirits motions under the Law before Christ's Incarnation.  
2 The Spirits mission and offices assigned him by Christ, at his mission from the Father and the Son.  
3 The Spirits limitations by Christ, at his mission and sending.   And so we will conclude this short discourse.  
First, for the Spirits motions under the Law before Christ's Incarnation, we read of divers motions of the Spirit: First, that in the Creation, The Spirit of God moved upon the waters, Genes. 1.2. Then we read of divers other motions of the Spirit. In Joshuah, full thereof, Deut. 34.9. In jephthah, judg. 11.29. His moving in David, 1 Sam. 16.13. In Saul, 1 Sam. 10.10. On Eliah, running before Ahab unto the entrance of jezreel, 1 King. 18.16. The spirit of the Lord falling on Ezekiel, Ezek. 11.5. And (in an extraordinary case) we read of two women Prophetesses; Deborah, who judged Israel, judg. 4 4. and of Huldah the Prophetess, 2 King. 22.14. From which two particular dispensations, for that time to two women, can be no general deducted for these women-Preachers, against the warrant and rules of the word of God, as hath been showed. And we read also of another motion of the Spirit, Isa. 30.21. In a voice behind us, saying. This is the way, walk in it, etc. which can be no warrant for these foresaid women to preach: for there the Spirits directions for our walking is, in the Way of Holiness, and Divine Rules: not into Schisms, Rents, Deviations, Divisions, and Errors contrary unto the express Rules of the Word, and so I have done with the first thing, The Spirits motions before Christ's Incarnation. From whence they can deduct no warrant, or example for their preaching.  
The second thing is, The Spirits mission by Christ, with the Offices assigned unto him by Christ: For his Mission, He is sent by the Father in Christ's Name, a Spirit of Truth, whom all in the world cannot receive, Joh. 14.17. whose Offices are to comfort us, to dwell and be in us, to teach us all things, to bring unto our remembrance all things taught us by Christ, Joh. 14.26. to testify of Christ, Joh. 15.26. to guide and lead us in all truth, Joh. 16.13. to show us things to come, Joh. 16.14. and to convince the World of Sin, of Righteousness, and of Judgement. From all which there can be no warrant drawn, for his moving of women to preach; for, his motions are according unto the doctrine of Christ, and the Apostles from the Spirit of Christ, who teach us no such Doctrine, but quite contrary, as hath been showed. For this Blessed Spirit of Christ is still the same, which is said to be, A Spirit of Wisdoms and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge, and of the fear of the Lord; Isa. 11.2. A Spirit (as is showed) leading us into the practice of all known and revealed Truths from Christ, not the dreams, errors, fables, and pretended raptures of these silly abused Sectaries.  
The last thing is, The Spirits limitations by Christ: 1 Negative; 2 Affirmative. 1 Negative, For he shall not speak of himself. 2 Affirmative, but Whatsoever he shall hear, that he shall speak, and he will show you things to come; he shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. Intimating, that if the Spirit should guide and lead us other ways, than in the truths and rules received by Christ in the Word, the testimony of such a spirit were not to be believed, neither led us in the right way, which should not this way glorify Christ.  
By all which we may gather, that these poor silly women, transgressing (as is showed) against the rules of the word, delivered by the Spirit of Christ in the Apostle, which he affirmeth to be the Commandments of the Lord, 1 Cor. 14.37. are ignorant, and like to remain in ignorance, 1 Cor. 14.38. led by the spirit of error in all their vainglorious, rash impudencies, whose Siren enchanting songs are carefully to be avoided of all, following the Apostles rule, Rom. 15.17, 18. Now I beseech you brethren, mark them that cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them: For they that are such, serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good Words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple. For when such like false Intruders, took upon them to be Exorists, and to conjure evil spirits, in the name of the Lord Jesus; the Devil himself refused to own, or know such.  ACTS XIX. XV. Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 
FINIS.