First , WE find the Sayings of faithful Sarah , concerning her Son Isaac , the Child of Promise , ( to whom the Inheritance belonged ) when she saw Ishmael mocking of him , she said to Abraham her Husband , Cast out this Bond-woman and her Son , for the Son of this Bond-woman shall not be Heir with my Son , even with Isaac . And God commended her Care , and justified her Speech , saying , unto Abraham , Let it not be grievous in thy sight , because of the Lad , and because of the Bond-woman ; in all that Sarah hath said unto thee , hearken unto her Voice , for in Isaac shall thy Seed be called , Gen. 21.10.12 .

2dly , We find Rebecca , the Wife of Isaac , speaking to the Lord , and the Lord answering her , Gen. 25.22 , 23. when she was with Child of Jacob and Esau ; the Children strugling together within her , she went to inquire of the Lord [ not of Doctors ] saying , If it be so , why am I thus ? And the Lord said unto her , Two Nations are in thy Womb , and two manner of People shall be separated from thy Bowels ; and the one People shall be stronger than the other People , and the Elder shall serve the Younger . And after the Children were Born and come to Age , she spoke unto her Son Jacob , and instructed him how he should obtain the Blessing , which God had promised , Gen. 27.6 . and so on . And afterwards she took care of her Son Jacob , concerning his Marriage , saying to Isaac her Husband , If Jacob take a Wife of the Daughters of Heath , such as these , which are of the Daughters of the Land , what good shall my Life do me ? Vers the last . And Isaac approved of her Speech , and called Jacob and blessed him , and said unto him , Thou shalt not take a Wife of the Daughters of Canaan , Chap. 28.1 .

3dly , We find Rachel and Leah speaking unto Jacob in these wholsom Words , saying , Now therefore whatsoever God hath said unto thee , do , Gen. 31.10 .

4thly , We find Miriam the Prophetess speaking to an Assembly of Women , Exod . 15.20.21 . when Moses had made an end of his Song of Praises to the Lord , for the Salvation and Deliverance of his People ; then Miriam the Prophetess , Psal . 68.25 . the Sister of Aaron , took a Timbrell in her Hand , and all the Women went out after her with Timbrels and with Dances ; and Miriam answered them , and said , Sing ye to the Lord , for he hath triumphed gloriously ; the Horse and his Rider hath he thrown into the Sea , &c.

5thly , We find Deborah , a valiant Mother and Judge in Israel , ( and she was also a Prophetess ) speaking to Barack a Captain , who had ten Thousand men at his Feet , yet she instructed him how he should go up against Sessera , ( Captain of Jabins Army , the Children of Israels Enemy ) and she said , I will surely go up with thee , notwithstanding the Battel thou takest shall not be for thine Honour , for the Lord shall sell Sissera into the Hands of a Woman ; Read Judges 4. throughout . And then we have her Song , wherein she magnified the Name of the Lord , and said , Blessed be Jael above Women , the Wife of Heber ; blessed shall she be in the Tent , &c. Judg . 5.24 . And she made a large Declaration of the Righteous Acts of the Lord , in the sore going and following Verses ; for he it was that had avenged his People of their Enemies .

6thly , We find Jeptha's Daughter , saying to her Father , As thou hast opened thy Mouth unto the Lord , so do unto me according to what hath proceeded out of thy Mouth , forasmuch as the Lord hath taken Vengeance for thee on thine Enemies , even of the Children of Amon , Judg . 11.26 .

7thly , We find Manoah's Wife saying to her Husband , A man of God came unto me , and his Countenance was like the Countenance of an Angel of God , very terrible ; but I asked him not whence he was , neither told he me his Name ; but he said unto me , Behold thou shalt conceive and bear a Son ; and now drink no Wine , nor strong Drink , neither eat any unclean thing , for the Child shall be a Nazarite to God from the Womb , to the day of his Death , Judg . 13.7 . And when Manoah said to his Wife , We shall surely dye , because we have seen God ; his Wife being more stedfast in Faith , wisely answered and encouraged him , saying , If the Lord were pleased to kill us , he would not have received Burnt-Offering and a Meat-offering at our Hands ; neither would he have shewed us all these things .

8thly , We find Naomy speaking concerning her own Adversity , saying to the People of Bethlehem ; Call me not Naomy , call me Marah , for the Almighty hath dealt bitterly with me ; I went out full , and the Lord hath brought me home again empty , and hath afflicted me , Ruth . 1 , 20 , 21.

9thly , We find Ruth , the Moabitis , speaking comfortably to Naomy her Mother , in her sorrow , saying , Intreat me not to leave thee , nor to return from following thee ; for whither thou goest , I will go , and where thou lodgest I will lodge ; thy People shall be my People ; & thy God my God ; where thou dyest , will I dye , and there will I be buried ; The Lord do so to me , and more also , if ought but Death part thee and me , Ruth 1.16 , 17. And afterwards , both these Women found Favour from the Lord ; and the Women of the City blessed the Lord on their behalf , Ruth 4.14 .

10thly , We find Hannah praying in the Temple , and pouring out her Soul before the Lord ; and the Lord heard her , and granted her Petition , 1 Sam . 1. from Vers . 10. to 18. And when her request was granted , she made a fervent and large Speech , in magnifying and exalting the Lord , Chap. 2. from Vers . 1. to 10.

11thly , We find when Saul and David had made a great slaughter upon the Philistines , the Women came out of all the Cities of Israel , Singing and Dancing , with Instruments of Musick ; And the Women answered one another as they plaid , and said , Saul hath slain his Thousands , and David his ten Thousands , 1 Sam . 18.6 , 7. And as the Women were pertakers of outward Salvation and Deliverance , as well as the Men , by David in the time of the Law ; so are they pertakers with their Brethren of inward Salvation and Deliverance from the Devil , by Christ , the Captain of our Salvation : And therefore they ought to Praise and make Melody in their Hearts to the Lord , now in the time of the Gospel .

12thly , We find Abigal , the Wife of Nabal , speaking to King David , saying , Let thine Hand-maid , I pray thee , speak in thine Audience , and hear the Words of thine Hand-maid . And so she went on , and preach't a large Sermon to him , as we find written , 1 Sam . 25.24 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31. And David the King heard her patiently , and afterwards he said unto her , Blessed be the Lord God of Israel which sent thee this day to meet me ; and blessed be thy Advice , and blessed be thou , which hast kept me this day from coming to shed Blood , Vers . 32 , 33. So we see this Wise Woman , by her Prudence and Innocence , saved her House from Destruction .

13thly , We find the Woman of Tekoah speaking to King David ; yea , she communed with him , till she convinced him of the Matter she had to say unto him , see 2 Sam . 14.4 . and so on . Though she spoke in a Parable , yet by her discretion she made Reconciliation between David and Absalom , and caused the King to call home again his Banished , which he had expelled from him .

14thly , We find a Wise Woman of the City of Abel , speaking to Joab the General , yea , she preached to him , and told him , She was one of them that were faithful in Israel , and thou seekest to destroy a City and Mother in Israel ; ( said she ) Why wilt thou swallow up the Inheritance of the Lord ? 2 Sam . 20. from Vers . 16. to 20. So she convinced him , and preserved the City : And her Wisdom , Courage and Faith is recorded to Posterity .

15thly , We find a poor Widdow speaking to the Prophet Elijah , saying , I have but a handful of Meal in a Barrel , and a little Oyl in a Cruse , and behold I am gathering two Sticks that I may go in and dress it for me and my Son , that we may eat it and dye , 1 Kings 17.12 . Yet in Faith she made the Prophet a Cake thereof first ; and she found that her Meal and Oyl wasted not , as you read Vers . 16. for the Lord gave in a supply , who had commanded her to sustain the Prophet , Vers . 9. So she had the reward both of her Faith & Works .

16thly , We find the Shunamite-Woman speaking to her Husband concerning the Prophet Elisha , saying , Behold ! now I perceive that this is a Holy Man of God , which passeth by us continually : Let us make a Chamber , I pray thee , on the Wall , and set for him there a Bed , and a Table , and a Stool , and a Candle-stick , and it shall be when he cometh to us , that he shall turn in thither , 2 Kings 4.9 , 10. Thus she was sensible of the necessity of the Prophet in his Journey ; and according to her care , the Prophet was careful it might be recompenced to her ; see Vers . 13. For she was a great Woman , and had no Child , therefore the Prophet told her , She should have a Son , and she had so , according to his word : And when the Child dyed , she had Faith to believe ( and also told her Husband ) That if she went to the man of God , all should be well : Heb . 11.35 . And it was so , for by Faith she received her Dead raised to Life again , as you may read , Vers . 23. and 36.

17thly , We find a captive Maid , who was brought out of the Land of Israel , and waited upon the Wife of Naaman the Assyrian , ( who was a Leper ) saying to her Mistriss , Would God , my Lord were with the Prophet that is in Samaria , for he would recover him of his Leprosie . Thus she spoke from the sense she had of the Power of the Lord , which he would shew through his Prophet ; and it proved so , for Naaman went unto him , and was healed , 2 Kings 5.23 .

18thly , We find Huldah the Prophetess , which dwelt in the Colledge in Jer●salem , speaking to Hilkiah the Priest , and Shaphan the Scribe , and to the King's Chancellor , which he sent , and commanded to commune with her , and to them , and those that came with them , she made a large declaration in the Name of the Lord , as you may read , 2 Kings 22. from vers . 12. to the end . Now here , neither King nor Priest , despised a Woman's Speech .

19thly , We find Queen Esther speaking to King Ahasuerus , in behalf of the poor Jews her People , Mordica her Uncle having sent unto her , she bid the Messengers return him this answer , Gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan , and fast ye for me ; neither eat nor drink three Days , Night nor Day ; I and my Maidens will fast likewise : And ( with Courage and Resolution she said ) so will I go in unto the King , which is not according to the Law , and if I perish , I perish , Esth. 4.16 . And by her discreet Behaviour , she obtained favour of the King , ( God inclining his Heart ) so that he held out the Golden Scepter to her , and said unto her , What wilt thou Queen Esther , and what is thy Request ? it shall be given thee to the half of the Kingdom , Chap. 5.2 , 3. So again , Chap. 7.2 . Then Esther the Queen answer'd , and said , If I have found favour in thy sight , O King ! and if it please the King , let my Life be given me at my Petition , and my People at my Request ; For we are sold , I and my People to be destroyed , to be slain , and to perish : Bat if we had been sold for Bond-men and Bond-women , I had held my Tongue , although the Enemy cannot countervail the King's damage . Then King Ahasuerus answered , and said unto Esther the Queen , Who is he ? and where is he that durst presume in his Heart to do so ? And Esther said , The Adversary and Enemy is this wicked Haman , Vers . 3 , 4 , 5 , 6. And Esther spake yet again before the King , and fell down at his Feet , and besought him with Tears , to put away the Mischief of Haman , and his Device that he had devised against the Jews . Then the King held out the golden Scepter toward Esther ; so Esther arose , and stood before the King , and said , If it please the King , and if I have found favour in his sight , and the thing seem right before the King , and if it be pleasing in his Eyes , let it be written to reverse the Letter devised hy Haman , which he wrote to destroy the Jews , which are all in the King's Provinces ; For how can I endure to see the Evil that shall come upon my People ? Or how can I endure to see the Destruction of my Kindred ? Chap. 8.3 , 4 , 5 , 6. And the King granted it . So by her Wisdom , Faith , and innocent Resolution , she saved her People , and became a Nursing-Mother in Israel .

20thly , We find Zeresh , the Wife of Haman , saying to her Husband ( before the Queen had made complaint against Haman ) If Mordica be of the Seed of the Jews , before whom thou hast begun to fall , thou shalt not prevail against him , but shalt surely fall before him , Esth. 6.13 .

21thly , We find King Solomon's Mother saying to her Son , by way of Instruction ; Give not thy Strength unto Women , nor thy Ways to that which destroyeth Kings . It is not for Kings , O Lemuel , it is not for Kings to drink Wine , nor for Princes , strong Drink ; lest they forget the Law , and pervert the Judgment of any of the Afflicted : Give strong Drink unto him that is ready to perish , and Wine to those that be of heavy Hearts : Let him drink and forget his Poverty , and remember his Misery no more : Open thy Mouth for the Dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to Destruction : Judge Righteously , and plead the Cause of the Poor and Needy , Prov. 31. from Vers . 3. to 9.

Thus we find many renowned Women recorded in the Old Testament , who had received a Talent of Wisdom and Spiritual Understanding from the Lord ; as good Stewards thereof they improv'd & imploy'd the same to the Praise and Glory of God .

So likewise in the New-Testament we find another Number of many Daughters , who as they were made Heirs of the Grace of Life , together with their Brethren ; so upon sundry occasions they spoke and praised the Lord , who had bestowed Mercy on them .

And here , First ; We find the Woman of Canaan speaking unto Christ in behalf of her Daughter , crying out , and saying , Have Mercy on me , O Lord , thou Son of David ; my Daughter is grievously vexed with a Devil , Mat . 15.22 . And again , she came and worshipped him , saying , Lord help me , Vers . 25. But he answered her , It is not meet to take the Childrens Bread , and cast it unto Dogs . And she said , Truth Lord , yet the Dogs eat of the Crumbs which fall from their Masters Table . Then Jesus answered , and said unto her , O Woman ! great is thy Faith ; be it unto thee even as thou wilt : And her Daughter was made whole from that very Hour , Vers . 27 , 28.

2dly , We find a Worthy and noble Act recorded of a Woman , who having an Aliblaster-Box of very precious Ointment ; 't is said , She poured it on Jesus his Head , as he sate at Meat , Mat . 26.7 . For which the Disciples reproved her ; but when Jesus understood it , he spoke in her Justification , saying unto them , Why trouble ye the Woman , & c ? Verily I say unto you , wheresoever this Gospel shall be preached throughout the whole World , there shall also this , that this Woman hath done , be told for a Memorial of her ; as you may read from Vers . 8. to 13. more at large . And Mark makes mention of it again , Chap. 14.3 . and John likewise , Chap. 11.1 . Now though there is no mention of what she said at that time , yet what she did is recorded ; and she is commended by Christ her Lord , as worthy of Commemoration unto all Generations .

3dly , We find Pilate's Wife speaking in behalf of Christ , when her Husband was sate down on the Judgment-seat , she sent unto him , saying , Have thou nothing to do with that just man , for I have suffered many things this day in a Dream because of him , Mat . 27.19 .

4thly , We find the Woman that was twelve Years diseased , and had spent all her Living upon Physitians , and still grew worse and worse ; her Faith in Christ was so strong , that she believed , and also said , If I may touch but the Hem of his Garment , I shall be whole , Mark 5.25 . and so on . And when Christ felt healing Virtue go out of him , he inquired , who it was that touched him ? then the Woman came Trembling , and fell down before him , and told him all the truth what she had done : And Christ did not reprove her for speaking to him , but he said unto her , Daughter , thy Faith hath made thee whole , go in Peace .

5thly , We find the Virgin Mary , to whom the Angel of God was sent , telling of her , That by the Power of the Most-high , she should bring forth a Son , whose Name should be called Jesus , and he should be the Son of the highest , and he should Reign over the House of Jacob , and of his Kingdom there should be no End , Luke 1.26 . and so on . Now , though this seemed to her impossible , that such a thing should be , yet in Faith she believed , and said , Behold the Hand-maid of the Lord , be it unto me according to thy Word , Vers . 38. And then we have her Song of Praise , from Vers . 46. to 55. And Mary said , My Soul doth magnifie the Lord , and my Spirit hath rejoyced in God my Saviour ; for he hath regarded the low estate of his Handmaiden : For behold ! from hence-forth all Nations shall call me Blessed ; for he that is mighty hath done to me great things , and Holy is his Name , and his Mercy is unto them that fear him , from Generation to Generation ; He hath shewed Strength with his Arm , and hath scattered the Proud in the Imagination of their Hearts ; He hath put down the Mighty from their Seats , and exalted them of low degree ; He hath filled the Hungry with good things , and the Rich hath he sent empty away ; He hath holpen his Servant Israel , in remembrance of his Mercy , as he spoke to our Fathers , to Abraham , and his Seed for ever .

6thly , We find Elizabeth , the Wife of Zacharias the Priest , saying , Thus hath the Lord dealt with me , in the day wherein he looked on me , to take away my Reproach among men , Luke 1.25 . This was when she was with-Child of John the Baptist , the fore-runner of Jesus Christ ; and when Mary came into her House , she was filled with the Holy Ghost , and spoke out with a loud Voice , saying , Blessed art thou among Women , and blessed is the Fruit of thy Womb : And whence is this to me , that the Mother of my Lord should come unto me ? For lo , as soon as the Voice of thy Salutation sounded in my Ears , the Babe leaped in my Womb for joy : And blessed is she that believed , for there shall be a performance of those things which were told her from the Lord , Vers . 42. and so on .

7thly , We find ancient Anna , a Prophetess , a Widdow , of about Four-score and four Years of Age , which departed not from the Temple , but served God with Fasting and Prayer , Night and Day ; when the Child Jesus was brought thither , she coming in at that instant , gave Thanks unto the Lord , and spake of him to all that looked for Redemption in Israel , Luk . 2.36 , 37 , 38.

8thly , We find Christ and Mary communing together , Luke 10.39 . And when Martha would have called her away from sitting at Jesus's Feet , where she heard his Word ; Christ reproved her for her cumber , and commended Mary , saying , She hath chosen that good part , which shall not be taken away from her , Vers . 42. And this is Chronicled and left upon Record , that all People might chiefly prefer the better part , and esteem the Word of Truth as the one thing needful .

9thly , We find certain Women , which followed Christ even to his Crucifixion ; see Mark 15.40 . giving Testimony of his Resurrection : Luke 24.10 . Its said , It was Mary Magdalen and Joanna , and Mary the Mother of James , and other Women that were with them , which told these things unto the Apostles ; to wit , that Christ was risen . And Vers . 22 , 23 , 24. One of the Brethren , named Cleophas , confest to Christ , that certain Women of their company made them astonished , which were early at the Sepulcher , and when they found not his Body , they came , saying , That they had seen a Vision of Angels , which said , that he was alive ; and certain of them which were with us , went to the Sepulcher , and found it even as the Women had said .

10thly , We find Christ , the head of the Church , discoursing with the Woman of Samaria concerning living Water & Worship , John 4. from v. 7. to . 27. as you may read at large , she desired living Water ( v. 15. ) and by the Answer Christ gave her , she perceived him to be a Prophet , ( v. 19. ) Then said she to him , Our Fathers worshipped in this Mountain , and ye say , that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to Worship ( v. 20. ) Jesus saith unto her , Woman , believe me , the hour cometh , when ye shall neither at this Mountain , nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father , ( v. 21. ) and then he certifieth her , both of the place and manner of Worship ; But the hour cometh , and NOW IS , ( saith Christ ) when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth ; for the Father seeketh such to worship him : God is a Spirit , and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit & in Truth ( v. 23 , 24. ) ( This secret Christ revealed to a Woman , and suffered her also to speak freely unto him . ) The Woman saith unto him , I know that Messias cometh , which is called Christ , when he is come , he will tell us all things . Jesus saith unto her , I that speak unto thee am he , ( v. 25 , 26. ) And upon this came his Disciples , and marvelled that he talked with the Woman ; but no man said , Why talkest thou with her ? The Woman then left her Water-pot , and went her way into the City , and said to the men , Come see a man , which told me all things that ever I did , Is not this the Christ ? v. 28 , 29. and many of the Samaritans of that City believed in him , for the sayings of the Woman , which testified , He told me all that ever I did , v. 39.

11thly , We find Mary Magdalen , coming early to the Sepulcher on the first day of the Week , & finding the Stone taken away from the Sepulcher , she runneth to Simon Peter , and to the other Disciples whom Jesus loved , saying unto them , They have taken away the Lord out of the Sepulcher , and we know not where they have laid him , John 20.1 , 2. And ver . 11. we find her standing without at the Sepulcher weeping , and as she wept , she stooped down and looketh into the Sepulcher , and seeth two Angels , which said unto her , Woman , why weepest thou ? she said unto them , Because they have taken my Lord , and I know not where they have laid him , v. 13. And when she had thus said , she turned her self back , and saw Jesus standing , but knew not that it was Jesus ; Jesus saith unto her , Woman , why weepest thou ; whom seekest thou ? she supposing him to be the Gardner , saith unto him , Sir , if thou hast born him hence , tell me where thou hast laid him , and I will take him away . Jesus saith unto her , Mary ; she turned her self , and saith unto him , Rabboni , which is to say , Master ; Jesus saith unto her , Touch me not , for I am not yet ascended to my Father ; but go to my Disciples , and say unto them , I ascend unto my Father and your Father , unto my God and your God : Mary Magdalen came and told the Disciples this Message , That she had seen the Lord , and that he had spoken these things unto her ; as you may read from Vers . 14. to 18. how Christ conferred with Mary , and she with him ; unto whom he first shewed himself after his Resurrection .

12thly , We find a certain Woman , named Lydia , a seller of Purple , of the City of Thyatira , which worshipped God , whose Heart the Lord had opened , that she attended unto the things that were spoken of Paul ; and she spake unto him , and them that were with him , saying , If ye have judged me to be faithful to the Lord , come to my House , and abide there . So she constrained them , Acts 16.14 , 15. And these her Sayings , with the Sayings and Doings of many faithful Women more , were Chronicled by the Church for rare Paterns of Love to Christ and his Disciples , to be Examples to their Childrens Children .

13thly , and lastly ; As to what I shall now write , we find a certain Damsel possessed with a Spirit of Divination , which brought her Master much Gain by Southsaying ; the same followed Paul , and other Apostles , and cryed out , saying , These are the Servants of the Most-high God , which shew unto us the Way of Salvation : And this did she many dayes , vers . 17 , 18. of the 16th Chapter of the Acts : Insomuch that Paul was grieved for her , and had compassion on her , so that he turned , and said to the Spirit , I command thee in the Name of Jesus Christ , to come out of her ; and he came out the same hour . From whence we may take notice , that she obtained the Reward of her Faith , and of her Testimony to the Truth ; for as she believed and owned the Apostles to be the Servants of the Lord , so she was dispossessed of the evil Spirit by Paul , who spoke in the Name and Power of God .

Hereunto I might add divers other instances of believing Women , as that of Dorcas , who is call'd a Disciple of Christ Jesus , Acts 9.36 . And likewise of Pricella , who together with her Husband Aquilla , took Paul home to their House , when he was first instructed in Christianity , and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly , Acts 18.25 , 26. And afterwards were Fellow-helpers with Paul in Christ Jesus ; as himself saith , Rom. 16.3 .

And I might bring in Philip's four Daughters , which were Prophetesses , sent forth to encourage others .

And also Febee , a woman in esteem in the Church of Christ , whom Paul commends and calls , Their Sister , and a Servant of the Church which is at Cenchrea , Rom. 16.1 .

And that Woman , to whom John the Evangelist sends his Epistle , ought not to be forgot , to wit , The Elect Lady and her Children , whom I love in the Truth , saith John , 2 Epist. v. 1. But I remember I spoke of Brevity in the beginning , therefore I do but mention these Worthies in the latter end , because I find nothing said by them ; thus I leave them , designing only to write out of Scripture the Sayings of the Women , and not to say much of them .

So I shall draw to a Conclusion , laying down this assertion , viz. That as Male and Female are made one in Christ Jesus , so Women receive an Office in the Truth as well as Men , and they have a Stewardship , & must give an account of their Stewardship to their Lord , as well as the Men : Therefore they ought to be faithful to God , and valiant for his Truth upon the Earth , that so they may receive the reward of Righteousness , which is as they are faithful to their little , so shall they be made rulers over much : And as they patiently continue in well-doing , seeking Glory , Honour and Virtue , so shall they obtain a Crown of Immortality and Eternal Life , when they shall have passed through this Vale of Trouble and Tears ; then shall that blessed Sentance be finally pronounced on them , Well done good and faithful Servants , enter into the undisturbed Rest and Joy of your Lord .