Experiments of Spiritual Life & Health, and Their Preservatives / In Which the Weakest Child of God May Get Assurance of His Spirituall Life and Blessednesse Etc.

by Roger Williams

Thus our great example Christ Jesus made it his worke and trade, to goe about to doe good, which he did abundantly and constantly to the souls and bodies of men.

Obj. Christ Jesus and his Apostles and messengers were endued with power from on high, not only to preach the Word for conversion but also with power of calling out Devils, and healing bodily diseases.

Holy women great helps in the Gospel of Christ Jesus

I answer, as an holy witnesse of Christ Jesus (a Woman) once answered a Bishop, I am a member of Christ Jesus as wel as Peter himselfe. The least Believer and Follower of Jesus pertakes of the nature and spirit of him their holy head and husband, as well as the strongest and holiest that ever did or suffered for his holy name.

Therefore it is that we read not only of the service of those great master-builders and work-men of Christ Jesus, the Apostles, but also the service and helpe of Christian women, for instance (Rom.16.) Phebe, Priscilla, Mary, Persis were eminently noted for helping forward the work of Christ Jesus, to wit, the glorifying of God in the saving of the poor sons of men.

Object. But is it not possible for Gods children to be slack in this work and trade of doing good to the souls and bodies of others, and yet be strong in grace and healthfull?

I answer, Doubtlesse Gods Children may be strong one way, and weak in another, strong in one grace and weak in another, strong in one tryal and weak in another: But it is their weaknesse and sicknesse, when they are slow and negligent of so glorious and heavenly a worke.

Thus Paul complains of the Saints of Asia, that he found none that stuck close to him but Timothie. Thus was it in Barucks weaknesse and sicknesse to seek great and earthly things, and Jeremie (strong in spirituall health and life) chides and reproves him for it, Jer. 45

Secondly.

Secondly, It argues strength of spirituall life, when we bear a strong affection to the seed of the woman, Christs seed, Gods children. To doe good to all men is a Christians trade, but especially to the houshold of faith.