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
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.
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