Women's Speaking Justified By Margaret Fell (1666) Justified,
Proved, and Allowed of by the Scriptures,
All such as speak by the Spirit and Power of the Lord Jesus. And
how Women were the first that Preached the Tidings of the
Resurrection of Jesus, and were sent by Christ’s own Command,
before he Ascended to the Father, John 20. 17.
Whereas it hath been an Objection in the Minds of many, and
several times hath been objected by the Clergy, or Ministers and
others, against Women’s speaking in the Church; and so
consequently may be taken, that they are condemned for medling in
the things of God: The ground of which Objection is taken from the
Apostle’s Words, which he writ in his first Epistle to the
Corinthians, Chap. 14. Vers. 34, 35. And also what he writ to
Timothy in the first Epistle, Chap. 2. Vers. 11, 12. But how far
they wrong the Apostle’s Intentions in these Scriptures, we shall
shew clearly when we come to them in their course and order. But
first let me lay down how God himself hath manifested his Will and
Mind concerning Women, and unto women.
And first, when God created Man in his own Image, in the Image of
God created he them, Male and Female; and God blessed them, and
God said unto them, Be fruitful and multiply: And God said,
Behold, I have given you of every Herb, &c. Gen. 1. Here God
joyns them together in his own Image, and makes no such
Distinctions and Differences as Men do; for though they be weak,
he is strong; and as he said to the Apostle, His Grace is
sufficient, and his Strength is made manifest in Weakness, 2 Cor.
12. 9. And such hath the Lord chosen, even the weak things of the
World, to confound the things which are mighty; and things which
are despised, hath God chosen, to bring to nought things that are,
1 Cor. 1. And God hath put no such difference between the Male and
Female, as Men would make.
It is true, The Serpent, that was more subtle than any other Beast
of the Field, came unto the Woman with his Temptations, and with a
Lye; his Subtlety discerning her to be the weaker Vessel, or more
inclinable to hearken to him, when he said, If ye eat, your Eyes
shall be opened; and the Woman saw, that the Fruit was good to
make one wise: There the Temptation got into her, and she did eat,
and gave to her Husband, and he did eat also; and so they were
both tempted into the Transgression and Disobedience; and
therefore God said unto Adam, (who hid himself when he heard his
Voice) Hast thou eaten of the Tree, which I commanded thee that
thou should’st not eat? And Adam said, The Woman which thou gavest
me, she gave me of the Tree, and I did eat. And the Lord said unto
the Woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the Woman said,
The Serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Here the Woman spoke the
Truth unto the Lord. See what the Lord saith, ver. 15. after he
had pronounced Sentence on the Serpent, I will put Enmity between
thee and the Woman, and between thy Seed and her Seed; it shall
bruise thy Head, and thou shalt bruise his Heel, Gen. 3.
Let this Word of the Lord, which was from the beginning, stop the
Mouths of all that oppose Women’s Speaking in the Power of the
Lord; for he hath put Enmity between the Woman and the Serpent;
and if the Seed of the Woman speak not, the Seed of the Serpent
speaks; for God hath put Enmity between the two Seeds; and it is
manifest, that those that speak against the Woman and her Seed’s
Speaking, speak out of the Envy of the old Serpent’s Seed. And God
hath fulfilled his Word and his Promise, When the fulness of time
was come, he sent forth his Son, made of a Woman, made under the
Law, that we might receive the Adoption of Sons, Gal. 4. 4, 5.
Moreover, the Lord is pleased, when he mentions his Church, to
call her by the Name of Woman, by his Prophets, saying, I have
called thee as a Woman forsaken, and grieved in Spirit, and as a
Wife of Youth, Isai. 54. Again, How long wilt thou go about, thou
back-sliding Daughter? For the Lord hath created a new thing in
the Earth, a Woman shall compass a Man, Jer. 31. 22. And David,
when he was speaking of Christ and his Church, he saith, The
King’s Daughter is all glorious within, her Cloathing is of
wrought Gold, she shall be brought unto the King; with gladness
and rejoycing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the
King’s Pallace, Psal. 45. And also King Solomon in his Song, where
he speaks of Christ and his Church, where she is complaining and
calling for Christ, he saith, If thou knowest not, O thou fairest
among Women, go thy way by the Footsteps of the Flock, Cant. 1. 8.
c. 5. 9. And John, when he saw the Wonder that was in Heaven, he
saw a Woman cloathed with the Sun, and the Moon under her feet,
and upon her Head a Crown of twelve Stars; and there appeared
another Wonder in Heaven, a great red Dragon stood ready to devour
her Child. Here appears the Envy of the Dragon, Rev. 12.
Thus much may prove, that the Church of Christ is represented as a
Woman; and those that speak against this Woman’s speaking, speak
against the Church of Christ, and the Seed of the Woman, which
Seed is Christ; that is to say, Those that speak against the Power
of the Lord, and the Spirit of the Lord speaking in a Woman,
simply by reason of her Sex, or because she is a Woman, not
regarding the Seed, and Spirit, and Power that speaks in her; such
speak against Christ and his Church, and are of the Seed of the
Serpent, wherein lodgeth Enmity. And as God the Father made no
such difference in the first Creation, nor ever since between the
Male and the Female, but always out of his Mercy and
Loving-kindness, had regard unto the Weak. So also his Son, Christ
Jesus, confirms the same thing; when the Pharisees came to him,
and asked him, if it were lawful for a Man to put away his Wife?
He answered and said unto them, Have you not read, That he that
made them in the beginning, made them Male and Female; and said,
For this Cause shall a Man leave Father and Mother, and shall
cleave unto his Wife, and they twain shall be one Flesh; wherefore
they are no more twain, but one Flesh? What therefore God hath
joyned together, let no Man put asunder, Mat. 19.
Again, Christ Jesus, when he came to the City of Samaria, where
Jacob’s Well was, where the Woman of Samaria was, you may read in
John 4. how he was pleased to preach the Everlasting Gospel to
her; and when the Woman said unto him, I know that when the
Messiah cometh, (which is called Christ) when he cometh, he will
tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee
am he. Also he said unto Martha, when she said, she knew that her
Brother should rise again in the last day. Jesus said unto her, I
am the Resurrection and the Life; he that believeth on me, though
he were dead, yet should he live; and whosoever liveth and
believeth, shall never die. Believest thou this? She answered,
Yea, Lord, I believe thou art the Christ, the Son of God. Here she
manifested her true and saving Faith, which few at that day
believed so on him, John 11. 25, 26.
Also that Woman, that came unto Jesus with an Alabaster Box of
very precious Ointment, and poured it on his Head as he sat at
meat; it is manifest that this Woman knew more of the secret Power
and Wisdom of God, than his Disciples did, who were filled with
Indignation against her; and therefore Jesus saith, Why do ye
trouble the Woman, for she hath wrought a good Work upon me?
Verily, I say unto you, Wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached
in the whole World, there shall also this that this Woman hath
done, be told for a Memorial of her, Mat. 26. Mark 14. 3. Luke
saith farther, She was a Sinner, and that she stood at his Feet
behind him weeping, and began to wash his Feet with her Tears, and
did wipe them with the Hair of her Head, and kissed his Feet, and
annointed them with Ointment. And when Jesus saw the Heart of the
Pharisee that had bidden him to his House, he took occasion to
speak unto Simon, as you may read in Luke 7. and he turned to the
Woman, and said, Simon, seest thou this Woman? Thou gavest me no
Water to my Feet; but she hath washed my Feet with Tears, and
wiped them with the Hair of her Head: Thou gavest me no Kiss; but
this Woman, since I came in, hath not ceased to kiss my Feet: My
Head with Oil thou didst not annoint; but this Woman hath
annointed my Feet with Ointment: Wherefore I say unto thee, her
Sins, which are many, are forgiven her; for she hath loved much,
Luke 7. 37. to the End.
Also, there was many Women which followed Jesus from Galilee,
ministring unto him, and stood afar off when he was Crucified,
Mat. 28. 55. Mark 15. Yea even the Women of Jerusalem wept for
him, insomuch that he said unto them, Weep not for me. ye
Daughters of Jerusalem; but weep for your selves, and for your
Children, Luke 23. 28.
And certain Women which had been healed of Evil Spirits and
Infirmities, Mary Magdalen, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod’s
Steward’s Wife; and many others which ministred unto him of their
Substance, Luke 8. 2, 3.
Thus we see that Jesus owned the Love and Grace that appeared in
Women, and did not despise it: and by what is recorded in the
Scriptures, he received as much Love, Kindness, Compassion, and
tender Dealing towards him from Women, as he did from any others,
both in his Life time, and also after they had exercised their
Cruelty upon him; for Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of
James, beheld where he was laid; And when the Sabbath was past,
Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James, and Salom, had
brought sweet Spices, that they might annoint him: And very early
in the Morning, the first Day of the Week, they came unto the
Sepulchre at the rising of the Sun; and they said among
themselves, Who shall roll us away the Stone from the Door of the
Sepulchre? And when they looked the Stone was rolled away, for it
was very great, Mark 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. Luke 24. 1, 2. and they went
down into the Sepulchre, and as Matthew saith, The Angel rolled
away the Stone, and he said unto the Women, Fear not, I know whom
ye seek, Jesus which was Crucified: He is not here, he is risen,
Mat. 28. Now Luke saith thus, That there stood two Men by them in
shining Apparel, and as they were perplexed and afraid, the Men
said unto them, He is not here, remember how he said unto you when
he was in Galilee, That the Son of Man must be delivered into the
Hands of sinful Men, and be Crucified, and the third Day rise
again; and they remembred his Words, and return’d from the
Sepulchre, and told all these things to the Eleven, and to all the
rest.
It was Mary Magdalene, and Joanna, and Mary the Mother of James,
and the other Women that were with them, which told these things
to the Apostles, and their Words seemed unto them as Idle Tales,
and they believed them not. Mark this, ye despisers of the
Weakness of Women, and look upon your selves to be so wise: But
Christ Jesus doth not so; for he makes use of the weak: For when
he met the Women after he was risen, he said unto them, All Hail!
And they came and held him by the Feet, and worshipped him; then
said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid, go tell my Brethren that they
go into Galilee, and there they shall see me, Mat. 28. 10. Mark
16. 9. And John saith, when Mary was weeping at the Sepulchre,
that Jesus said unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? what seekest
thou? And when she supposed him to be the Gardner, Jesus said unto
her, Mary; she turned her self, and said 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 unto
them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and
your God, John 20. 16, 17.
Mark this, you that despise and oppose the Message of the Lord God
that he sends by Women; What had become of the Redemption of the
whole Body of Mankind, if they had not cause to believe the
Message that the Lord Jesus sent by these Women, of and concerning
his Resurrection? And if these Women had not thus, out of their
Tenderness, and Bowels of Love, who had received Mercy, and Grace,
and Forgiveness of Sins, and Vertue, and Healing from him; which
many Men also had received the like, if their Hearts had not been
so united and knit unto him in Love, that they could not depart as
the Men did; but sat watching, and waiting, and weeping about the
Sepulchre until the time of his Resurrection, and so were ready to
carry his Message, as is manifested, else how should his Disciples
have known, who were not there?
Oh! Blessed and Glorified be the Glorious Lord; for this may all
the whole Body of Mankind say, though the Wisdom of Man that never
knew God, is always ready to except against the Weak; but the
Weakness of God is stronger than Men, and the Foolishness of God
is wiser than Men, 1 Cor. 1 25.
And in Acts 18. you may read how Aquilla, and Priscilla, took unto
them Apollos, and expounded unto him the way of God more
perfectly, who was an Eloquent Man, and mighty in the Scriptures;
yet we do not read that he despised what Priscilla said, because
she was a Woman, as many now do.
And now to the Apostle’s Words, which is the Ground of the great
Objection against Womens Speaking. And first, 1 Cor. 14. Let the
Reader seriously peruse that Chapter, and see the end and drift of
the Apostle in speaking these Words: For the Apostle is there
exhorting the Corinthians unto Charity, and to desire Spiritual
Gifts, and not to speak in an unknown Tongue; and not to be
Children in Understanding, nor to be Children in Malice; but in
Understanding to be Men. And that the Spirits of the Prophets,
should be subject to the Prophets; for God is not the Author of
Confusion, but of Peace: And then he saith, Let your Women keep
Silence in the Church, &c.
Where it doth plainly appear, that the Women, as well as some
others that were among them, were in Confusion: For he saith, How
is it Brethren? when ye come together, every one of you hath a
Psalm, hath a Doctrine, hath a Tongue, hath a Revelation, hath an
Interpretation? Let all Things be done to Edifying. Here is no
Edifying, but Confusion speaking together: Therefore he saith, If
any Man speak in an unknown Tongue, let it be by two, or at most
by three, and that by course, and let one Interpret: But if there
be no Interpreter, let him keep Silence in the Church. Here the
Man is Commanded to keep Silence, as well as the Woman, when in
Confusion and out of order.
But the Apostle saith farther, They are commanded to be in
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
a Woman, to speak in the Church.
Here the Apostle clearly manifests his intent; for he speaks of
Women that were under the Law, and in that Transgression as Eve
was, and such as were to learn, and not to speak publickly, but
they must first ask their Husbands at home; and it was a shame for
such to speak in the Church: And it appears clearly, that such
Women were speaking among the Corinthians, by the Apostles
exhorting them from malice and strife, and confusion, and he
preacheth the Law unto them, and he saith, in the Law it is
written, With Men of other tongues, and other Lips, will I speak
unto this People, Vers. 2.
And what is all this to Women’s Speaking? that have the
everlasting Gospel to preach, and upon whom the Promise of the
Lord is fulfilled, and his Spirit poured upon them according to
his Word, Acts 2. 16, 17, 18. And if the Apostle would have
stopped such as had the Spirit of the Lord poured upon them, why
did he say just before, If any thing be revealed to another that
sitteth by, let the first hold his peace, and you may all
Prophesie one by one? Here he did not say, that such Women should
not Prophesie as had the Revelation and Spirit of God poured upon
them: But their Women that were under the Law, and in the
Transgression, and were in Strife, Confusion and Malice; for if he
had stop’d Womens Praying or Prophesying, why doth he say, Every
Man Praying or Prophesying, having his Head covered, dishonoureth
his Head; but every Woman that Prayeth or Prophesieth with her
Head uncovered dishonoureth her Head? Judge in your selves, Is it
comely that a Woman pray or prophesie uncovered? For the Woman is
not without the Man, neither is the Man without the Woman in the
Lord, 1 Cor. 11. 3, 4, 13.
Also that other Scripture, in 1 Tim. 2. where he is exhorting that
Prayer and Supplication be made every where, lifting up Holy Hands
without Wrath and Doubting; he saith in the like manner also, That
Women must adorn themselves in modest Apparel, with Shamefacedness
and Sobriety, not with broidered Hair, or Gold, or Pearl, or
costly Array. He saith, Let Women learn in Silence with all
Subjection; but I suffer not a Woman to Teach, nor to usurp
Authority over the Man, but to be in Silence; for Adam was first
formed, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived; but the Woman being
deceived was in the Transgression.
Here the Apostle speaks particularly to a Woman in relation to her
Husband, to be in subjection to him, and not to Teach, nor usurp
Authority over him, and therefore he mentions Adam and Eve: But
let it be strained to the utmost, as the opposers of Womens
Speaking would have it, that is, That they should not Preach nor
Speak in the Church, of which there is nothing here: Yet the
Apostle is speaking to such as he is teaching to wear their
Apparel, what to wear, and what not to wear; such as were not come
to wear modest Apparel, and such as were not come to
Shamefacedness and Sobriety; but he was exhorting them from
broidered Hair, Gold, and Pearls, and costly Array; and such are
not to usurp Authority over the Man, but to learn in Silence with
all Subjection, as it becometh Women professing Godliness with
good Works.
And what is all this to such as have the Power and Spirit of the
Lord Jesus poured upon them, and have the Message of the Lord
Jesus given unto them? Must not they speak the Word of the Lord,
because of these undecent and unreverent Women, that the Apostle
speaks of, and to, in these two Scriptures? And how are the Men of
this Generation blinded, that bring these Scriptures, and pervert
the Apostles Words, and corrupt his Intent in speaking of them?
And by these Scriptures, endeavour to stop the Message and Word of
the Lord God in Women, by contemning and despising of them. If the
Apostle would have had Womens speaking stop’d, and did not allow
of them; Why did he intreat his true Yoak-Fellow to help those
Women who laboured with him in the Gospel? Phil. 4. 3. And why did
the Apostles join together in Prayer and Supplication with the
Women, and Mary the Mother of Jesus, and with his Brethren, Acts
1. 14. if they had not allowed, and had Union and Fellowship with
the Spirit of God, where-ever it was revealed, in Women as well as
others? But all this opposing, and gainsaying of Womens Speaking,
hath risen out of the Bottomless Pit, and Spirit of Darkness, that
hath spoken for these many Hundred Years together in this Night of
Apostacy, since the Revelations have ceased and been hid. And so
that Spirit hath limited and bound all up within its Bond and
Compass; and so would suffer none to Speak; but such as that
Spirit of Darkness approved of, Man or Woman.
And so here hath been the Misery of these last Ages past, in the
time of the Reign of the Beast, that John saw when he stood upon
the Sand of the Sea, rising out of the Sea, and out of the Earth,
having seven Heads and ten Horns, Rev. 13. In this great City of
Babylon, which is the Woman that hath sitten so long upon the
Scarlet colour’d Beast, full of Names of Blasphemy, having seven
Heads and ten Horns. And this Woman hath been arrayed and decked
with Gold, and Pearls, and precious Stones; and she hath had a
Golden Cup in her Hand, full of Abominations; and hath made all
Nations drunk with the Cup of her Fornication; and all the World
hath wondred after the Beast, and hath worshipped the Dragon that
gave Power to the Beast; and this Woman hath been drunk with the
Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus.
And this hath been the Woman, that hath been Speaking, and
usurping Authority for many Hundred Years together: And let the
Times and Ages past testifie how many have been murthered and
slain, in Ages and Generations past; every Religion and
Profession, (as it hath been called) killing and murthering one
another, that would not join one with another: And thus the Spirit
of Truth, and the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ, hath been quite
lost among them that have done this. And this Mother of Harlots
hath sitten as a Queen, and said, She should see no Sorrow: But
though her Days have been long, even many Hundred of Years; for
there was Power given unto the Beast to continue forty and two
Months, and to make War with the Saints, and to overcome them: And
all that have dwelt upon the Earth have worshipped him, whose
Names are not written in the Book of the Life of the Lamb, slain
from the Foundation of the World.
But blessed be the Lord, his time is over, which was above Twelve
hundred Years, and the Darkness is past, and the Night of Apostacy
draws to an end, and the true Light now shines, the Morning Light,
the bright Morning Star, the Root and Offspring of David, he is
risen, he is risen, Glory to the Highest for evermore; and the Joy
of the Morning is come, and the Bride, the Lamb’s Wife, is making
her self ready, as a Bride that is adorning for her Husband; and
to her is granted, that she shall be arrayed in fine Linen, clean
and white; and the fine Linen is the Righteousness of the Saints;
the holy Jerusalem is descending out of Heaven from God, having
the Glory of God; and her Light is like a Jasper Stone, clear as
Chrystal.
And this is that free Woman, that all the Children of the Promise
are born of; not the Children of the Bond-woman, which is Hagar,
which genders to Strife and to Bondage, and which answers to
Jerusalem, which is in Bondage with her Children; but this is the
Jerusalem which is free, Which is the Mother of us all. And so
this Bond-woman and her Children, that are born after the Flesh,
have persecuted them that are born after the Spirit, even until
now: But now the Bond-woman and her Seed is to be cast out, that
hath kept so long in Bondage and in Slavery, and under Limits;
this Bond-woman and her Brood is to be cast out, and our holy
City, the new Jerusalem, is coming down from Heaven, and her Light
will shine throughout the whole Earth, even as a Jasper-Stone,
clear as Chrystal, which brings Freedom and Liberty, and perfect
Redemption to her whole Seed; and this is that Woman and Image of
the Eternal God, that God hath owned, and doth own, and will own
for evermore.
More might be added to this purpose, both out of the Old Testament
and New, where it is evident that God made no difference, but gave
his good Spirit, as it pleased him, both to Man and Woman, as
Deborah, Huldah, and Sarah. The Lord calls by his Prophet Isaiah,
Hearken unto me, ye that follow after Righteousness, ye that seek
the Lord; look unto the Rock from whence ye were hewn, and to the
hole of the Pit from whence ye were digged; look unto Abraham your
Father, and to Sarah that bare you; for the Lord will comfort
Sion, &c. Isa. 5. And Anna the Prophetess, who was a Widow of
Fourscore and Four Years of Age, which departed not from the
Temple, but served God with Fastings and Prayers night and day;
she coming in at that instant, (when old Simeon took the Child
Jesus in his Arms) and she gave Thanks unto the Lord, and spake of
him to all them who looked for Redemption in Jerusalem, Luke 2.
36, 37, 38. And Philip the Evangelist, into whose House the
Apostle Paul entred, who was one of the Seven, Acts 6. 3. he had
four Daughters which were Virgins, that did prophesie, Acts 21.
And so let this serve to stop that opposing Spirit that would
limit the Power and Spirit of the Lord Jesus, whose Spirit is
poured upon all Flesh, both Sons and Daughters, now in his
Resurrection; and since that the Lord God in the Creation, when he
made Man in his own Image, he made them Male and Female; and since
that Christ Jesus, as the Apostle saith, was made of a Woman, and
the Power of the Highest overshadowed her, and the Holy Ghost came
upon her, and the Holy Thing that was born of her, was called the
Son of God; and when he was upon the Earth, he manifested his
Love, and his Will, and his Mind, both to the Woman of Samaria,
and Martha, and Mary her Sister, and several others, as hath been
shewed; and after his Resurrection also, manifested himself unto
them first of all, even before he ascended unto his Father: Now
when Jesus was risen, the first Day of the Week, he appeared first
unto Mary Magdalene, Mark 16. 9. And thus the Lord Jesus hath
manifested himself and his Power, without Respect of Persons; and
so let all Mouths be stopt that would limit him, whose Power and
Spirit is infinite, who is pouring it upon all Flesh.
And thus much in answer to these two Scriptures, which have been
made such a Stumblingblock, that the Ministers of Darkness have
made such a Mountain of: But the Lord is removing all this, and
taking it out of the way.
M. F.
A further Addition, in Answer to the Objection concerning Women
keeping silent in the Church: For it is not permitted for them to
speak, but to be under Obedience; as also saith the Law, 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 this as Paul
writing in 1 Cor. 14. 34. is one with that of 1 Tim. 2. 11. Let
Women learn in silence with all Subjection.
To which I say, If you tie this to all outward Women, then there
were many Women that were Widows, which had no Husbands to learn
of; and many were Virgins, which had no Husbands; and Philip had
four Daughters that were Prophetesses; such would be despised,
which the Apostle did not forbid. And if it were to all Women,
that no Women might speak, then Paul would have contradicted
himself; but they were such Women that the Apostle mentions in
Timothy, that grew wanton, and were Busie-bodies, and Tatlers, and
kicked against Christ: For Christ in the Male and in the Female is
one, and he is the Husband, and his Wife is the Church; and God
hath said, that his Daughters should prophesie as well as his
Sons: And where he hath poured forth his Spirit upon them, they
must prophesie, though blind Priests say to the contrary, and will
not permit holy Women to speak.
And whereas it is said, I permit not a Woman to speak, as saith
the Law: But where Women are led by the Spirit of God, they are
not under the Law; for Christ in the Male and in the Female is
one; and where he is made manifest in Male and Female, he may
speak; for he is the end of the Law for Righteousness to all them
that believe. So here you ought to make a Distinction what sort of
Women are forbidden to speak; such as were under the Law, who were
not come to Christ, nor to the Spirit of Prophecy: For Huldah,
Miriam, and Hannah, were Prophetesses, who were not forbidden in
the time of the Law, for they all prophesied in the time of the
Law; as you may read in 2 Kings 22. what Huldah said unto the
Priest, and to the Ambassadors that were sent to her from the
King, Go, saith she, and tell the Man that sent you to me, Thus
saith the Lord God of Israel, Behold, I will bring evil upon this
place, and on the Inhabitants thereof, even all the Words of the
Book which the King of Judah hath read; because they have forsaken
me, and have burnt Incense to other Gods, to anger me with all the
Works of their Hands: Therefore my Wrath shall be kindled against
this place, and shall not be quenched. But to the King of Judah,
that sent you to me to ask Counsel of the Lord, so shall you say
to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Because thy Heart did
melt, and thou humbledst thy self before the Lord, when thou
heard’st what I spake against this place, and against the
Inhabitants of the same, how they should be destroyed; Behold, I
will receive thee to thy Father, and thou shalt be put into thy
Grave in peace, and thine Eyes shall not see all the evil which I
will bring upon this place.
Now let us see if any of you, blind Priests, can speak after this
manner, and see if it be not a better Sermon than any of you can
make, who are against Women’s Speaking. And Isaiah, that went to
the Prophetess, did not forbid her Speaking or Prophesying, Isai.
8. And was it not prophesied in Joel 2. that Hand-maids should
Prophesie? And are not Hand-maids Women? Consider this, ye that
are against Women’s Speaking, how in the Acts the Spirit of the
Lord was poured forth upon Daughters as well as Sons. In the time
of the Gospel, when Mary came to salute Elizabeth in the
Hill-Country in Judea, and when Elizabeth heard the Salutation of
Mary, the Babe leaped in her Womb, and she was filled with the
Holy Spirit; and Elizabeth spoke with a loud Voice. Blessed art
thou amongst Women, blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb. Whence is
this to me, that the Mother of my Lord should come to me? For lo,
as soon as thy Salutation came to my Ear, the Babe leaped in my
Womb for Joy; for blessed is she that believes, for there
shall be a Performance of those things which were told her from
the Lord. And this was Elizabeth’s Sermon concerning Christ, which
at this day stands upon Record. And then Mary said, My Soul doth
magnifie the Lord, and my Spirit rejoyceth in God my Saviour, for
he hath regarded the low Estate of his Handmaid: For, behold, from
henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed; for he that is
mighty, hath done to me great things, and holy is his Name; and
his Mercy is on them that fear him, from Generation to Generation;
he hath shewed Strength with his Arm; he hath scattered the Proud
in the Imaginations of their own Hearts; he hath put down the
Mighty from their Seats, and exalted them of low degree; he hath
filled the Hungry with good things, and the Rich he hath sent
empty away: He hath holpen his Servant Israel, in remembrance of
his Mercy, as he spake to his Father, to Abraham, and to his Seed
for ever. Are you not here beholding to the Woman for her Sermon,
to use her Words, to put into your Common Prayer? and yet you
forbid Women’s Speaking.
Now here you may see how these two Women prophesied of Christ, and
preached better than all the blind Priests did in that Age, and
better than this Age also, who are beholding to Women to make use
of their Words. And see in the Book of Ruth, how the Women blessed
her in the Gate of the City, of whose Stock came Christ: The Lord
make the Woman that is come into thy House like Rachel and Leah,
which built the House of Israel; and that thou may’st do worthily
in Ephrata, and be famous in Bethlehem, let thy House be like the
House of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the Seed which the
Lord shall give thee of this young Woman. And blessed be the Lord,
who hath not left thee this day without a Kinsman, and his Name
shall be continued in Israel. And also see in the first Chapter of
Samuel, how Hannah prayed and spake in the Temple of the Lord, O
Lord of Hosts, if thou wilt look on the Trouble of thy Hand-maid,
and remember me, and not forget thy Hand-maid. And read in the
second Chapter of Samuel, how she rejoyced in God, and said, My
Heart rejoyceth in the Lord; my Horn is exalted in the Lord, and
my Mouth is enlarged over my Enemies, because I rejoyce in thy
Salvation; there is none holy as the Lord, yea, there is none
besides thee; and there is no God like our God. Speak no more
presumptuously; let not Arrogancy come out of your Mouths, for the
Lord is a God of Knowledge, and by him Enterprizes are
established; the Bow, and the mighty Men are broken, and the Weak
hath girded to themselves Strength; they that were full, are hired
forth for Bread, and the hungry are no more hired; so that the
Barren hath born seven, and she that had many Children is feeble.
The Lord killeth, and maketh alive; bringeth down to the Grave,
and raiseth up; the Lord maketh poor, and maketh rich; bringeth
low, and exalteth; he raiseth up the Poor out of the Dust, and
lifteth up the Beggar from the Dunghil, to set them among Princes,
to make them inherit the Seat of Glory: For the Pillars of the
Earth are the Lord’s, and he hath set the World upon them; he will
keep the Feet of his Saints, and the Wicked shall keep silence in
Darkness; for in his own Might shall no Man be strong: The Lord’s
Adversaries shall be destroyed, and out of Heaven shall he thunder
upon them; the Lord shall judge the ends of the World, and shall
give Power to his King, and exalt the Horn of his Anointed.
Thus you may see what a Woman hath said, when old Eli the Priest
thought she had been drunk; and see if any of you, blind Priests,
that speak against Women’s Speaking, can preach after this manner;
who cannot make such a Sermon as this Woman did, and yet will make
a Trade of this Woman and other Women’s Words.
And did not the Queen of Sheba speak, that came to Solomon, and
received the Law of God, and preached it in her own Kingdom, and
blessed the Lord God that loved Solomon, and set him on the Throne
of Israel; because the Lord loved Israel for ever, and made the
King to do Equity and Righteousness? And this was the Language of
the Queen of Sheba.
And see what glorious Expressions Queen Hester used to comfort the
People of God, which was the Church of God, as you may read in the
Book of Hester, which caused Joy and Gladness of Heart among all
the Jews, who prayed and worshipped the Lord in all places; who
jeoparded her Life contrary to the King’s Command, went and spoke
to the King, in the Wisdom and Fear of the Lord, by which means
she saved the Lives of the People of God; and righteous Mordecai
did not forbid her speaking, but said, If she held her Peace, her
and her Father’s House should be destroyed. And herein, you blind
Priests, are contrary to righteous Mordecai.
Likewise you may read how Judith spoke, and what noble Acts she
did, and how she spoke to the Elders of Israel, and said, Dear
Brethren, seeing ye are the Honourable and Elders of the People of
God, call to Remembrance how our Fathers in time past were
tempted, that they might be proved if they would worship God
aright: They ought also to Remember how our Father Abraham, being
try’d through manifold Tribulations, was found a Friend of God; so
was Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, and all they pleased God, and were
steadfast in Faith through manifold Troubles. And read also her
Prayer in the Book of Judith, and how the Elders commended her,
and said, All that thou speakest is true, and no Man can reprove
thy Words; pray therefore for us, for thou art an holy Woman, and
fearest God. So these Elders of Israel did not forbid her
speaking, as you blind Priests do; yet you will make a Trade of
Women’s Words to get Money by, and take Texts, and preach Sermons
upon Women’s Words; and still cry out, Women must not speak, Women
must be silent: So you are far from the Minds of the Elders of
Israel, who praised God for a Woman’s speaking. But the Jezabel,
and the Woman, the false Church, the great Whore, and tatling and
unlearned Women, and Busie-bodies, which are forbid to preach,
which have a long time spoke and tatled, which are forbidden to
speak by the true Church, which Christ is the Head of; such Women
as were in Transgression under the Law, which are called a Woman
in the Revelations.
And see farther how the wise Woman cryed to Joab over the Wall,
and saved the City of Abel, as you may read, 2 Sam. 20. how in her
Wisdom she spoke to Joab, saying, I am one of them that are
peaceable and faithful in Israel, and thou goest about to destroy
a City and Mother in Israel: Why wilt thou destroy the Inheritance
of the Lord? Then went the Woman to the People in her Wisdom, and
smote off the Head of Sheba, that rose up against David, the
Lord’s Anointed: Then Joab blew the Trumpet, and all the People
departed in Peace. And this Deliverance was by the means of a
Woman’s speaking. But Tatlers and Busie-Bodies are forbidden to
preach by the true Woman, whom Christ is the Husband, to the Woman
as well as the Man, all being comprehended to be the Church. And
so in this true Church, Sons and Daughters do prophesie, Women
labour in the Gospel: But the Apostle permits not Tatlers,
Busie-bodies, and such as usurp Authority over the Man, who would
not have Christ to reign, nor speak neither in the Male nor
Female; such the Law permits not to speak; such must learn of
their Husbands. But what Husbands have Widows to learn of, but
Christ? And was not Christ the Husband of Philip’s four Daughters?
And may not they that are learned of their Husbands speak then?
But Jezabel, and Tatlers, and the Whore, that deny Revelation and
Prophecy, are not permitted, who will not learn of Christ; and
they that are out of the Spirit and Power of Christ, that the
Prophets were in, who are in the Transgression, are ignorant of
the Scriptures; and such are against Women’s Speaking, and Men’s
too, who preach that which they have received of the Lord God; but
that which they have preached, and do preach, will come over all
your Heads, yea, over the Head of the false Church, the Pope; for
the Pope is the Head of the false Church, and the false Church is
the Pope’s Wife: And so he and they that be of him, and come from
him, are against Women’s Speaking in the true Church, when both he
and the false Church are called Woman, in Rev. 17. and so are in
the Transgression, that would usurp Authority over the Man Christ
Jesus, and his Wife too, and would not have him to Reign; but the
Judgment of the great Whore is come. But Christ, who is the Head
of the Church, the true Woman, which is his Wife, in it do
Daughters prophesie, who are above the Pope and his Wife, and
a-top of them. And here Christ is the Head of the Male and Female,
who may speak; and the Church is called a Royal Priesthood; so the
Woman must offer as well as the Man. Rev. 22. 17. The Spirit
saith, Come, and the Bride saith, Come; and so is not the Bride
the Church? and doth the Church only consist of Men? You that deny
Women’s Speaking, answer: Doth it not consist of Women, as well as
Men? Is not the Bride compared to the whole Church? And doth not
the Bride say, Come? Doth not the Woman speak then, the Husband,
Christ Jesus, the Amen? And doth not the false Church go about to
stop the Bride’s Mouth? But it is not possible; for the Bridegroom
is with his Bride, and he opens her Mouth. Christ Jesus, who goes
on Conquering, and to Conquer; who kills and slays with the Sword,
which is the Word of his Mouth; the Lamb and the Saints shall have
the Victory, the true Speakers of Men and Women over the false
Speaker.
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