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Women's Speaking Justified, Proved, and Allowed by the Scriptures

Margaret Askew Fell Fox (1666)

Introduction and Editing by Dennis Bratcher

A Quaker Meeting in London in which a woman is preaching.
The engraving is by Bernard Picard (1673-1733) and dates to about 1723.

Margaret Fell Fox (1614-1702) is remembered as the wife of George Fox and an ardent promoter of the Society of Friends, better known as Quakers, that he founded. In some sense, she could be considered a co-founder of the movement. Margaret Agnew first married Thomas Fell and raised nine children at the Fell estate, Swarthmore Hall (or Swarthmoor) in northwest England. In 1648 George Fox had begun his public ministry that would lead to the development of the Society of Friends. Fox visited Swarthmore in 1652, which eventually led to Thomas and Margaret Fell using Swarthmore Hall as a meeting place for the developing Society. Thomas Fell died in 1658 and eleven years later Margaret married George Fox. They both continued to organize and promote the Society until George’s death in 1691. Margaret continued to support and defend the Society until her death in 1702.

Margaret Fox was an active promoter of the Quaker cause, including a very egalitarian view of the involvement of women in the Church and society. She wrote sixteen books and some 27 pamphlets promoting the views of Fox and the Society of Friends. Because of its pacifist views, refusal to take oaths, rejection of social conventions like bowing to superiors, and promoting the equality of the sexes, Quakers were often persecuted. In 1664 Margaret was eventually arrested and imprisoned for her refusal to take an oath and for promoting Quaker principles.

During her four years in prison, she wrote several pamphlets, including Women's Speaking Justified. Motivated by a sincere belief that the Scriptures taught equality between men and women, Margaret wrote Women's Speaking Justified as a defense of her right to speak and teach in the Church. By modern standards of biblical scholarship, some parts of the article seem quaint or even comical. But in a manner resembling classic Jewish Midrash, she builds a logical basis from the Old Testament from which to analyze the typical New Testament texts used against women in ministry. This principle of trying to hear the whole voice of Scripture rather than just isolated proof texts foreshadows later developments in scholarly biblical interpretation. In the context of late seventeenth-century English society, this article is a powerful expression of a commitment to Scripture that is willing to challenge long-and dearly held social conventions that seem antithetical to the Gospel.

[Editors note: This article has been edited into more modern English from the 1666 publication. The editor has attempted to retain the "flavor" of Margaret Fell Fox's writing, while making it more readable in a modern context. There have been three levels of editing. First, the archaic English pronoun and verb forms have been replaced (for example, thee to you), as well as some of the archaic spelling shew to show; joyns to joins). Second, the rather complex, awkward, and often lengthy sentence structure has been simplified, some syntactical and stylistic elements have been changed to correspond more to modern practice (for example, the use of which and that are often reversed), and the punctuation and capitalization has been updated. Third, some archaic words have been changed to more modern synonyms (for example, whereas to while; gainsay to oppose).  What many would now consider sexist language in the generic use of "man," "brother," and masculine pronouns have been retained as a feature of the work itself.

The editing was done with the realization that some will object to changing a historical document in any way. It could be argued that this is especially problematic with writings from the Quaker tradition in which archaic English pronouns are an important feature of the tradition itself. However, the intention was simply to make this classic piece of church history more easily available for non-specialists. The original text is readily accessible for comparison in several editions and formats, including on-line versions. I would welcome any comments about the accuracy of any of the changes (Contact the site director). - Dennis Bratcher, editor]

[Note: The editing of this article is not yet complete]

It has been an objection in the minds of many, and several times has been objected by the clergy, or ministers and others, against women's speaking in the Church, and as a result they are condemned for meddling in the things of God. The basis for this objection is taken from the Apostle's words, which he wrote in his first Epistle to the Corinthians, 14: 34, 35. And also what he wrote to Timothy in the first Epistle 2:11, 12. But how far they wrong the Apostle's intentions in these Scriptures we shall show clearly when we come to them in their course and order. But first let me lay down how God himself has manifested his will and mind concerning women, and unto women.

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. . . " Gen. 1. Here God joins them together in his own image, and makes no such distinctions and differences as men do. For though they are 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 has the Lord chosen, even the weak things of the World, to confound the things which are mighty; and things which are despised, has God chosen, to bring to nothing things that are, 1 Cor. 1. God has put no such difference between the male and female, as men would make.

It is true, the serpent, which was more subtle than any other beast of the field, came unto the woman with his temptations and with a lie. His subtlety discerned her to be the weaker vessel, or more inclined to listen to him when he said, If you 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 ate, and gave to her husband, and he ate also. And so they were both tempted into transgression and disobedience. Therefore God said to Adam, (who hid himself when he heard his voice) "Have you eaten of the Tree, which I commanded you that you should not eat?" And Adam said, "The woman that you gave me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate." And the Lord said to the woman, "What have you done?" And the woman said, "The serpent enticed me, and I ate." Here the woman spoke the truth to the Lord. Note what the Lord said after he had pronounced sentence on the serpent: I will put Enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; it shall bruise you Head, and you shall bruise his Heel, Gen. 3:15.

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 has put enmity between the woman and the serpent. If the seed of the woman does not speak, the seed of the serpent speaks, for God has put enmity between the two seeds. And it is obvious that those who speak against the woman and her seed's speaking, speak out of the envy of the old serpent's seed. And God has fulfilled his word and his promise, When the fullness 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.

Furthermore, the Lord is pleased, when he mentions his church, to call her by the name of woman, by his Prophets, saying, I have called you as a woman forsaken, and grieved in spirit, and as a wife of youth, Isa.. 54. Again, How long will you waver, faithless daughter? For the Lord has created a new thing in the earth, a woman shall encompass a man, Jer. 31. 22. And David, when he was speaking of Christ and his Church, says: The king's daughter is all glorious within, her clothing is of woven gold, she shall be brought to the king; with gladness and rejoicing shall they be brought; they shall enter into the king's palace, Psa. 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 says, If you do not know, O fairest among women, go your 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 clothed 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 who 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, ignoring 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 in which lodges enmity. And just 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 for 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 two shall be one flesh; therefore, they are no more two, but one flesh? What therefore God has joined 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 to him, I know that when the Messiah comes, (which is called Christ) when he comes, he will tell us all things. Jesus said unto her, I that speak unto you 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 believes on me, though he were dead, yet should he live; and whosoever lives and believes, shall never die. Do you believe this? She answered, Yes, Lord, I believe you are the Christ, the Son of God. Here she revealed her true and saving Faith, which few at that day believed about him, John 11. 25, 26.

Also that woman who came to Jesus with an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head as he sat at a meal. It is obvious that this woman knew more of the secret power and wisdom of God than his disciples did, who were filled with indignation against her. Therefore Jesus said, Why do you trouble the woman, for she has done a good thing for me? Truly, I say unto you, Wherever this Gospel shall be preached in the whole world, what this woman has done will be told there also as a memorial of her, Mat. 26. Mark 14. 3. Luke says also, 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 anointed them with ointment. And when Jesus saw the Heart of the Pharisee who had invited him to his house, he took occasion to speak to Simon, as you may read in Luke 7. And he turned to the woman, and said, Simon, do you see this woman? You gave me no water for my feet; but she has washed my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head: You gave me no kiss; but this woman, , has not ceased to kiss my feet since I came in: You did not anoint my head with oil; but this woman has anointed my feet with ointment: So I say unto you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven her; for she has loved much, Luke 7. 37, to the end.

Also, there were many women who followed Jesus from Galilee, ministering to him, and stood a distance away when he was crucified, Mat. 28. 55. Mark 15. Indeed, even the women of Jerusalem wept for him, so that he said unto them, Do not weep for me, daughters of Jerusalem; but weep for your selves, and for your children, Luke 23. 28.

And certain women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities, Mary Magdalene, and Joanna the wife of Chuza, Herod's Steward's Wife; and many others who ministered to him of their substance, Luke 8. 2, 3.

By these 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 actions towards him from women, as he did from any others, both in his lifetime, and even after they had exercised their cruelty upon him. For Mary Magdalene, and Mary the Mother of James, saw 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 anoint him: And very early in the morning, the first day of the week, they came unto the tomb at sunrise; and they said among themselves, Who shall roll us away the stone from the door of the tomb? And when they looked the stone was rolled away, for it was very large, Mark 16. 1, 2, 3, 4. Luke 24. 1, 2. and they went down into the tomb, and as Matthew says, The angel rolled away the stone, and he said unto the women, Fear not, I know whom you seek, Jesus who was crucified. He is not here, he is risen, Mat. 28. Now Luke says this, That there stood two men by them in shining apparel, and as they were perplexed and afraid, the men said to 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 remembered his words, and returned from the tomb, 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 who were with them, who told these things to the Apostles, and their words seemed unto them as idle tales, and they did not believed them. Notice this, you who despise the weakness of women, and see if you are really so wise! But Christ Jesus did not do so; for he makes use of the weak. For when he met the women after he was risen, he said unto them, Greetings! And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him; then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid, go tell my brothers to go into Galilee, and they shall see me there, Matt. 28. 10. Mark 16. 9. And John says, when Mary was weeping at the tomb that Jesus said to her, Woman, why are you weeping? Whom do you seek? And when she supposed him to be the gardener, Jesus said unto her, Mary; she turned, and said unto him, Rabboni, which is to say, Master; Jesus said to her, Do not touch me, for I am not yet ascended to my Father; but go to my brothers, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father, and to my God, and your God, John 20. 16, 17.

Notice this, you who despise and oppose the message of the Lord God that he sends by women. What would have become of the redemption of the whole body of mankind if they had no reason to believe the message that the Lord Jesus sent by these women about his resurrection? These women had received mercy, and grace, and forgiveness of sins, and virtue, and healing from him, the same that many men had also received. If the hearts of these women had not been so united and knit to him in love that they could not depart like the men did, but they sat watching, and waiting, and weeping about the tomb until the time of his resurrection and so were ready out of their tenderness and love to carry his message as it was revealed to them, how would his Disciples, who were not there, have ever known?

Oh! blessed and glorified be the glorious Lord. For this may all the whole body of mankind say, that even though the wisdom of man that never knew God is always ready to exclude the weak, yet 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. He 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 women’s speaking. First, 1 Cor. 14. Let the reader seriously peruse that chapter, and see the purpose and flow of thought of the Apostle in speaking these words: For the Apostle is there exhorting the Corinthians to love, to desire spiritual gifts, and not to speak in an unknown Tongue, and not to be children in understanding or in malice, but rather to be mature in understanding. [He also teaches] 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 says, Let your Women keep Silence in the Church,etc.

It seems apparent that the women, as well as some others that were among them, were in confusion, because he says, How is it, brothers, that when you come together every one of you has a psalm, a doctrine, a tongue, a revelation, or an interpretation? Let all things be done to edifying. Here is no edifying but confusion speaking together. So he says, If any man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at most by three, and that in order, and let one interpret. But if there is no interpreter, let him keep silent in the church. Here the man is commanded to keep silent, as well as the woman, when he is in confusion and out of order.

But the Apostle says farther, They are commanded to be in obedience, as the law also says; 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 reveals his intent, for he speaks of women who were under the law, and in that transgression as Eve was. They were to learn and not to speak publicly, but they must first ask their husbands at home. It was a shame for such women to speak in the Church: And it appears clearly, that such women were speaking among the Corinthians, because the Apostles were urging them away from malice, strife, and confusion. And so he preached the Law unto them, and he says, 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, women 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 those who had the Spirit of the Lord poured upon them, why did he say just before, If any thing be revealed to another that sits by, let the first hold his peace, and you may all prophesy one by one? Here he did not say that such women who had the revelation and Spirit of God poured upon them should not prophesy. Rather, their women who were under the Law and in the transgression, and were in strife, confusion and malice should not prophesy. For if he intended to stop women’s praying or prophesying, why does he say, Every man praying or prophesying with his head covered dishonors his head, but every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head? Judge for your selves, Is it appropriate for a woman pray or prophesy 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 says in a similar manner, That women must adorn themselves in modest apparel, with decency and moderation, not with braided hair, or gold, or pearl, or costly clothing. He says, Let women learn in silence with all submission; but I do not allow 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 became a transgressor.

Here the Apostle speaks particularly to a woman in relation to her husband, to be in submission to him, and not to teach nor usurp authority over him. Therefore he mentions Adam and Eve. But it would be straining to the limits to say, with those who oppose women speaking, that women should not preach nor speak in the Church. That is not what this says. Here the Apostle is speaking to those whom he is teaching concerning clothing, what to wear, and what not to wear. These were not wearing modest clothing, were not practicing decency and moderation. He was urging them to avoid broidered hair, gold, pearls, and costly clothing. These are not to usurp authority over the man, but to learn in silence with all subjection, as is appropriate for women professing Godliness with good actions.

So how does all this relate to those who have the power and spirit of the Lord Jesus poured upon them, and have the message of the Lord Jesus given to them? Must they refrain from speaking the word of the Lord because of these indecent and irreverent women to whom and about whom the Apostle speaks in these two Scriptures? How are the men of this generation blinded who bring these Scriptures and pervert the Apostles words and corrupt his intent in speaking them? By these Scriptures they endeavor to stop the message and word of the Lord God in women, by condemning and despising them.

If the Apostle intended to stop women’s speaking and not allow them, why did he entreat his co-worker to help those women who labored 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 brothers, 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, has risen out of the Bottomless Pit, and Spirit of Darkness, that has spoken for these many Hundred Years together in this Night of Apostasy, since the Revelations have ceased and been hid. And so that Spirit has 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 has 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 has sitten so long upon the Scarlet colour'd Beast, full of Names of Blasphemy, having seven Heads and ten Horns. And this Woman has been arrayed and decked with Gold, and Pearls, and precious Stones; and she has had a Golden Cup in her Hand, full of Abominations; and has made all Nations drunk with the Cup of her Fornication; and all the World has wondred after the Beast, and has worshipped the Dragon that gave Power to the Beast; and this Woman has been drunk with the Blood of the Saints, and with the Blood of the Martyrs of Jesus. And this has been the Woman, that has been Speaking, and usurping Authority for many Hundred Years together: And let the Times and Ages past testify how many have been murdered and slain, in Ages and Generations past; every Religion and Profession, (as it has been called) killing and murdering one another, that would not join one with another: And thus the Spirit of Truth, and the Power of the Lord Jesus Christ, has been quite lost among them that have done this. And this Mother of Harlots has 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 has 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 has 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 has 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 has 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 Stumbling-block, 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.

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 has said, that his Daughters should prophesie as well as his Sons: And where he has 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 has 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 has regarded the low Estate of his Handmaid: For, behold, from henceforth all Generations shall call me blessed; for he that is mighty, has done to me great things, and holy is his Name; and his Mercy is on them that fear him, from Generation to Generation; he has shewed Strength with his Arm; he has scattered the Proud in the Imaginations of their own Hearts; he has put down the Mighty from their Seats, and exalted them of low degree; he has filled the Hungry with good things, and the Rich he has sent empty away: He has 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 has 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 has girded to themselves Strength; they that were full, are hired forth for Bread, and the hungry are no more hired; so that the Barren has 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 has 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 has 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.

-Dennis Bratcher, Copyright © 2018, Dennis Bratcher, All Rights Reserved
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[Note:  No copyright claim is made for the original text of this article by Margaret Fell Fox or the illustrated engraving.  However, all other information contained on this page is copyrighted, Copyright © 2018 by Dennis Bratcher and CRI/Voice, Institute.]

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