A word in season to this present generation, or, A sober and serious discourse…

the promises are a firm foundation ¹to build our hopes and happiness upon; they are an Anchor both sure and steadfast. Memorable is that saying of David, Psalm 138. 2. For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy Name: Which words are to be understood (as David Ki•hi saith) Hysteron proteron, that thou hast by thy word (that is by performing thy word and promises) magnified thy Name above all things. 3. Because it is a just and righteous thing with God, to crown them with glory at last, who have been crowned with shame, reproach and dishonour for his Name and interest in this world; so that Eternal life is a Crown of righteousness, ex parte Dei, God hath promised it to such as overcome; and ex parte rei, 'tis just with God to give unto his suffering Servants rest and peace. 4. Because it is given only to righteous men; all that wear this crown come to it in a way of righteousness; a righteous Crown cannot be had but in the use of righteous means. The Chaldean, the Persian, the Grecian, and the Roman Princes commonly gained their Crowns by fraud, flattery, policy, blood, &c. so that their Crowns were bloody Crowns, and not righteous Crowns. 5. and lastly, The Apostle calls it a Crown of righteousness, which the righteous Judge shall give him; the more fitly to follow the Metaphor taken from Runners and Wrestlers, for prizes at their solemn exercises or games in Greece, ⟨p. 97⟩in which there were certain Judges appointed to observe those that proved masters, and give just Sentence on the Conquerors side, if he strove lawfully, and fairly won the prize. Now this Crown is laid up, the Greek word [Greek or Hebrew], imports two things, 1. A designation of that which is laid up to some peculiar person. 2. A reservation and safe keeping of it, to the use of those it is designed to. Earthly Crowns have been often pulled off from Princes heads, but this Crown of righteousness is so safely laid up, that none can reach it, none can touch it, none can pull it from a Believers head. Xerxes •rowned his steers-man in the morning, and beheaded him in the evening of the same day. And Andronicus the Greek Emperor crowned his Admiral in the morning, & then took off his head in the after-noon. Rosse•sis had a Cardinals hat sent him, but his head was cut off before it came to him. Doth the Crown (saith