GOSPEL MINISTRY WOMEN, UNDER THE CHRISTIAN DISPENSATION, DEFENDED FROM SCRIPTURE, AND FROM THE WRITINGS OF JOHN LOCKE, JOSIAH MARTIN, &c. BY WILLIAM RAWES, jun. LONDON: PRINTED AND SOLD BY WILLIAM PHILLIPS, 1801. INTRODUCTION. THE following fheets are principally - intended for the perufal of fuch as are. not acquainted with the principles of the People called Quakers, on the fubject of women's preaching. Their fentiments may, perhaps, at the first view, appear rather fingular to fome; but it is hoped, that the reader, on a ferious and attentive confideration of them, will be convinced, they are founded on Scripture, and fanctioned by the practice of the primitive church. The defign of this treatife is information; and to point out, in a fuccinct manner, the privilege which women, qualified and commiffioned by the Holy Spirit, have to preach the gofpel. A 3 The character of John Locke, the annotator on Paul's epiftles, is well establifhed; and it is prefumed, that the fentiments of this great man will not have lefs weight with the reader, when it is confidered, he was a member of the established religion, and died in its communion: though he declared a short time before his deceafe, in the true fpirit of a Christian, that he was "in the fentiments of perfect charity towards all men, and of a fincere union with the church of Chrift, under whatever name diftinguished." But, apart from the comments and fentiments of thofe who have ably defended the right which women enjoy, in common with men, to publifh the glad tidings of life and falvation, it is evident, from Scripture, and the concurrent experience of mankind, that, in this day of evangelical freedom, as well as in the times of the apostles, all are alike the objects of divine regard. God is no refpecter of perfons. a a Acts x. 34 Such as fear him, and work righteousness, are accepted of him; whether they be Jew or Greek, bond or free, male or female; for they are all one in Christ Jesus. To every one of the whole bulk of mankind, without exception, a measure or *manifestation of the Spirit is given to profit withal and confequently to women as well as to men; which, it should seem, cannot be denied, without calling in question and impeaching the veracity of holy writ. Now as this gift, or grace of God, is the only true fpring of gofpel ministry, by which we can be made really ferviceable to others in their fpiritual progress, why should we be furprised that the Lord, in his adorable mercy, should send forth women, as well as men, to labour in his vineyard? Why do any circumfcribe the operations of his power? Why quench the Spirit? Why defpife prophefyings through any inftrument, which the Lord, in his wisdom and goodness, may fee meet |