A30127:104
A case of conscience resolved viz. whether, where a church of Christ is situate,…
A case of conscience resolved viz. 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? : And the arguments made use of for that practice examined / by John Bunyan.
London: printed for Benj. Alsop, 1683
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
3. Object. But it is said by the Prophet Zecharias, that the Spirit is promised to be given in new Testament times, to Women, that they may Pray together apart from Men, Zech. 12.11, 12, 13.
Answ. The Text says nothing so, but is greatly abused by this Man. Indeed it says their Wives shall mourn apart, but it saith not, they shall do so together. Yea, that they shall separate themselves by the dictate of God, from their Brethren, to do so, Is that which this Text knows nothing of. Sometimes, many may be together apart from others; but why Mr. K. to serve his purpose, should wrack and strain this Text to Justify his Woman's Meeting, I see no reason at all.
Answ. The Text says nothing so, but is greatly abused by this Man. Indeed it says their Wives shall mourn apart, but it saith not, they shall do so together. Yea, that they shall separate themselves by the dictate of God, from their Brethren, to do so, Is that which this Text knows nothing of. Sometimes, many may be together apart from others; but why Mr. K. to serve his purpose, should wrack and strain this Text to Justifie his Womans Meeting, I see no reason at all.
My reason against him is, for that the look, here upon him whom we have pierced, which is to be the cause of this mourning, is to be by an immediate revelation of the Holy Ghost, who doth not use to tell before hand when he will so come down upon us. But such a Meeting as Mr. K. intends must be the product of Consultation and time. I will pour, saith God, upon the House of David, the Spirit of Grace and supplication, and then they shall look; that is, when that Spirit so worketh, with them, as to enable them so to do. Now I say, I would know, since this mourning is to be the effect of this look, and so before one is aware (