A30127:169
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.
Thirdly. I doubt not at all of the Lawfulness of Women's Praying, and that both in private and Public: Only when they Pray Publicly, they should not separate from, but join with the Church in that Work. They should also not be the mouth of the Assembly, but in heart, desires, groans, and Tears, they should go a long with the Men. In their Closets they are at Liberty to speak unto their God, who can bear with, and pity them with us; and pardon all our weakness for the sake of Jesus Christ.
Thirdly. I doubt not at all of the Lawfulness of Womens Praying, and that both in private and Publick: Only when they Pray Publickly, they should not separate from, but joyn with the Church in that Work. They should also not be the mouth of the Assembly, but in heart, desires, grones, and Tears, they should go a long with the Men. In their Closets they are at Liberty to speak unto their God, who can bear with, and pitty them with us; and pardon all our weakness for the sake of Jesus Christ.
And here, I will take an occasion to say, there may be a twofold miscarriage in Prayer, one in Doctrine, the other in the frame of the Heart: All are too much subject to the last, Women to the first. And for this cause it is, at least, so I think, that Women are not permitted to Teach, nor speak in Assemblies for Divine Worship, but to be and to learn in silence, 1 Cor. 14.33, 34, 35. Chap. 15.33.
And here, I will take an occasion to say, there may be a twofold miscarriage in Prayer, one in Doctrine, the other in the frame of the Heart: All are too much subject to the last, Women to the first. And for this cause it is, at least, so I think, that VVomen are not permitted to Teach, nor speak in Assemblies for Divine Worship, but to be and to learn in silence, 1 Cor. 14.33, 34, 35. Chap. 15.33.