[ 1487] Women Reformers, intolerable.
IT was a witty answer that St. Bernard gave to the Image of the blessed Vir∣gin at the great Church of Spire in Germany;* 1.1 Bernard was no sooner come into the Church, but the Image straight saluted him, and bad him Good morrow Bernard; Whereat, Bernard well knowing the jugling of the Fryers, made an∣swer again out of St. Paul; O (saith he) your Ladiship hath forgotten your self, It is not lawfull for Women to speak in the Church: Thus it is commendable in a Woman, when she is able by her wisdome to instruct her Children, and to give at opportunities good Counsell to her Husband; but when she-Apostles, Women shall take upon them (as many have done) to hold out the Word in publique, and to chalk out Discipline for the Church, this is neither commendable nor tolerable;* 1.2 for her hands should handle the spindle or the Cradle, but neither the Altar nor the Church; the commendations that St. Iohn's elect Lady had, was not so much for her talking, as her walking in the Commandements of God, 2 Joh. v. 5, 6.