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

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 Womens 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 Apostles 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.