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.
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
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 poâ—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