A65295:59
The fight of faith crowned, or, A sermon preached at the funeral of that…
The fight of faith crowned, or, A sermon preached at the funeral of that eminently holy man Mr. Henry Stubs by Tho. Watson ...
London : Printed and are to be sold by Joseph Collier ..., 1678
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.
2. It is called a Crown of life, Jam. 1. 12. whoever heard before of a living Crown? It is a Crown of ⟨p. 13⟩life, not only (as Grotius saith) because it is bestowed in the life to come, but because it enlivens with joy; it not only Crowns the head, but cheers the heart. 'Tis a living Crown.
2. It is called a Crown of life, Jam. 1. 12. whoever heard before of a living Crown? It is a Crown of ⟨p. 13⟩life, not only (as Grotius saith) because it is bestowed in the life to come, but because it enlivens with joy; it not only Crowns the head, but chears the heart. 'Tis a living Crown.
3. It is called a Crown of Righteousness in the Text; not that it is of right due to us, or comes of merit, as the Papists corruptly gloss; we cannot deserve a crumb at Gods hands, much less a Crown. That which merits must be a gift, not a debt, whatever service we do for God is a due debt; nay, we cannot pay all; nay, that which we pay is not in currant money, our duties are stained with sin, where then is merit? but it is called a Crown of Righteousness, because it is purchased by Christs righteousness, and because God having promised this Crown, it is righteous in him to bestow it.
3. It is called a Crown of Righteousness in the Text; not that it is of right due to us, or comes of merit, as the Papists corruptly gloss; we cannot deserve a crum at Gods hands, much less a Crown. That which merits must be a gift, not a debt, whatever service we do for God is a due debt; nay, we cannot pay all; nay, that which we pay is not in currant money, our duties are stained with sin, where then is merit? but it is called a Crown of Righteousness, because it is purchased by Christs righteousness, and because God having promised this Crown, it is righteous in him to bestow it.