The crown of righteousness. Set forth in a sermon preached at Stephens Walbrook, May…

Quest. But why is it laid up, why is not the Crown¹ presently put on? Answ. 1. It is not fit that we should yet wear it, and that for two reasons. 1. Our graces are imperfect in this life; ^lthey are in their infancy and minority; therefore we are said to receive but primitias, the first fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8. 23. non decimas, saith Luther; we are but Christians in fieri, ^mwe have only some imperfect lineaments of grace drawn in us; our graces are mingled with much corruption, as Gold in the Oar is mingled with dross; the ⟨p. 5⟩most refined soul hath some lees and dregs of sin left in it. The life of grace is said to be hid, Col. 3. 3. our faith is hid under unbelief, as the corn is hid under the chaff; now if God should set the Crown upon us in this life, he should crown our sins as well as our graces. Therefore the Crown is laid up. 2. 'Tis not fit that we should yet wear the Crown, for then it would take us off from doing our work; we should be idle in the Vineyard. Who will take pains for a reward, when he hath the reward already; therefore the Crown is laid up. We must run the race before we wear the Crown.

Quest. But why is it laid up, why is not the Crown¹ presently put on? Answ. 1. It is not fit that we should yet wear it, and that for two reasons. 1. Our graces are imperfect in this life; ^lthey are in their infancie and minoritie; therefore we are said to receive but primitias, the first fruits of the Spirit, Rom. 8. 23. non decimas, saith Luther; we are but Christians in fieri, ^m