A17384:869
A commentary
A commentary: or, sermons upon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter wherein method, sense, doctrine, and use, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of divinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.A commentary: or, sermons vpon the second chapter of the first epistle of Saint Peter vvherein method, sense, doctrine, and vse, is, with great variety of matter, profitably handled; and sundry heads of diuinity largely discussed. By Nicholas Byfield, late preacher of God's Word at Isle-worth in Middlesex.
London: printed by Humphrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623London: printed by Humfrey Lownes for George Latham, 1623
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Ans. I answer:1 first generally, that all that are in Zion are not of Zion, and further that we must not judge of true Christians by their number. For God many times takes one of a Tribe, or one of a City, and two of a Tribe, to bring them ⟨p. 190⟩to Zion, Jerem. 3.14. But yet to answer more directly: Thou must be a new creature, or thou art no member of Gods true Zion. For of every one in Zion it must be said, He was borne there, Psal. 86.5. The gates of Zion are to be opened only, that a righteous nation may enter in, Isaiah 26.1, 2. Men may deceive themselves, but God will not be deceived. For he hath his fire in Zion, and furnace in Jerusalem: He will try every man, and make his count only by righteousness, Isaiah 31.9. Rom. 9. and therefore the sinners in Zion have reason to be afraid, Isaiah 35.14. And if yet we would have signs more particular, we may try our selves by these that follow.
Ans. I answer:1 first generally, that all that are in Sion are not of Sion, and further that wee must not iudge of true Christians by their number. For God many times takes one of a Tribe, or one of a City, and two of a Tribe, to bring them ⟨p. 190⟩to Sion, Ierem. 3.14. But yet to answer more directly: Thou must be a new creature, or thou art no member of Gods true Sion. For of euerie one in Sion it must bee said, Hee was borne there, Psal. 86.5. The gates of Sion are to bee opened onely, that a righteous nation may enter in, Esay 26.1, 2. Men may deceiue themselues, but God will not be deceiued. For he hath his fire in Sion, and furnace in Ierusalem: Hee will try euery man, and make his count onely by righteousnes, Esay 31.9.