Summary of John Bunyans views

90 yourselves. It was the woman that at first the serpent made use of, and by whom he then overthrew the world: wherefore the women, to the world’s end, must wear tokens of her underlingship in all matters of worship. 3) Bunyan exhorted women to cover “in all matters of worship” which he understands as when the church corporately meets together. He said this was to be done “to the world’s end” showing that he understood this practice to be ongoing and permanent.

To say nothing of that which she cannot shake off, to wit, her pains and sorrows in child-bearing, which God has riveted to her nature, there is her silence, and shame, and a covering for her face, in token of it, which she ought to be exercised with, whenever the church comes together to worship (Gen 3:16; 1 Tim 2:15; 1 Cor 11:13; 1 Tim 2:9). 6)

Just as the women’s pain in child-bearing never ends, so also is she to worship in silence and with a covering forever “whenever the church comes together to worship”. Bunyan saw the covering as a “token of her shame” which he connects to Eve’s disobedience in Genesis.

Bunyan also referenced head covering when talking about “extraordinary” women in the Bible who prophesied, taught or had authority: 4) Though this I must say concerning them, they ought to, and did, notwithstanding so high a calling, still bear about with them the badge of their inferiority to them that were prophets indeed. And hence it is said, under pain of being guilty of disorder, that if they prayed in the church, or prophesied there, with their head uncovered, they then dishonoured their head (1 Cor 11:5). The prophetesses were below the prophets, and their covering for their heads was to be worn in token thereof… 5) He notes that even though these women had extraordinary function, they still would have worn a covering in church. Finally he says as a good summary of his view:

The men are admitted in such worship, to stand with open face before God, a token of much admittance to liberty and boldness with God, a thing denied to the women (1 Cor 11:4,5).

Summary of John Bunyans views:

The believing woman should cover her head in worship and the man should be uncovered. This is a reminder of the fall and her subjection to he husband.

References 1. John Bunyan – A Case of Conscience Resolved 2. Websters 1828 Dictionary has the following definitions for ‘inferior’ in addition to lower value 1. Lower in place. 2. Lower in station, age, or rank