2. First in defection, v. 14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression. The fall of man was the fruit of the Woman's first Doctrine, and therefore she is not suffered to teach any more; the Woman was deceived by the Serpent, and so drew her Husband, and whole Posterity, into ruin. Some of the Papists bring this place as an Argument against Women's reading the Scripture; but no reason can conclude it from this place. How can the Spirit of God prohibit their reading the Scripture in private, and the instruction of their Families, since Women are among those who are commended for reading the Scripture? Acts 17.11, 12. where the honourable Women are mentioned. And Lois and Eunice are applauded for their instruction of Timothy. Are not Women bound by that command of Peter, to give a reason of their Faith to any that shall ask them, unless they would have Women Christians without reason? What was the Office of those Ecclesiastical Widows in the Primitive times, but to instruct the younger Women? But this is not to be charged upon all the Papists: Becanus only is the man that Rivet mentions* And because upon this declaration of the Apostle some might be dejected by the consideration of the deep hand the Woman had in the first fall, in the punishment inflicted upon them for it, the Apostle in the Text brings in a Notwithstanding for their comfort. Notwithstanding her guilt in defection, her punishment in child-bearing, she hath as good a right to salvation as the Man: So that the Apostle here answers by way of anticipation, an Objection which might be made, whether the guilt contracted by the Woman, and the punishment inflicted, might not hinder her eternal salvation. The Apostle answers, No. Though she was first in the transgression, and the pain of child-bearing was the punishment of that first sin, yet the Woman may arrive, to everlasting salvation notwithstanding that pain, if she be adorned with those graces which are necessary for all Christians. Though the punishment remain, yet the believing Woman is in the Covenant of Grace, under the wings of the Mediator of that Covenant, if she have Faith, the condition of the Covenant, which works by Love and Charity, and is attended with holiness, and renewal of the heart.
2. First in defection, v. 14. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, was in the transgression. The fall of man was the fruit of the Womans first Doctrine, and therefore she is not suffered to teach any more; the Woman was deceived by the Serpent, and so drew her Husband, and whole Posterity, into ruine. Some of the Papists bring this place as an Argument against Womens reading the Scripture; but no reason can conclude it from this place. How can the Spirit of God prohibit their reading the Scripture in private, and the instruction of their Families, since Women are among those who are commended for reading the Scripture? Acts 17.11, 12. where the honourable Women are mention'd. And Lois and Eunice are applauded for their instruction of Timothy. Are not Women bound by that command of Peter, to give a reason of their Faith to any that shall ask them, unless they would have Women Christians without reason? What was the Office of those Ecclesiastical Widdows in the Primitive times, but to instruct the younger Women? But this is not to be charged upon all the Papists: Becanus only is the man that Rivet mentions* And because upon this declaration of the Apostle some might be dejected by the consideration of the deep hand the Woman had in the first fall, in the punishment inflicted upon them for it, the Apostle in the Text brings in a Notwithstanding for their comfort. Notwithstanding her guilt in defection, her punishment in child-bearing, she hath as good a right to salvation as the Man: So that the Apostle here answers by way of anticipation, an Objection which might be made, whether the guilt contracted by the Woman, and the punishment inflicted, might not hinder her eternal salvation. The Apostle answers, No. Though she was first in the transgression, and the pain of child-bearing was the punishment of that first sin, yet the Woman may arrive, to everlasting salvation notwithstanding that pain, if she be adorn'd with those graces which are necessary for all Christians. Though the punishment remain, yet the believing Woman is in the Covenant of Grace, under the wings of the Mediator of that Covenant, if she have Faith, the condition of the Covenant, which works by Love and Charity, and is attended with holiness, and renewal of the heart.
- *Isagog. ad Script. c. 13. p. 990, 991.
