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

Use 2. Trial. Examine your selves whether you are¹ the heirs of this Crown. Quest. But how may that be known? Answ. By this one note; If you set the Crown on Christs head while you live, he will set the Crown on your head when you die. Have you wisdom to manage businesses of concernment, strength to do duties, resist temptations, bear burdens? you will ⟨p. 18⟩not assume, or arrogate any thing to your selves, but let Christ wear the Crown: ^yThus Saint Paul, 1 Cor. 15. 10. I laboured more then they all, and yet not I. This is the Inscription on Christ's vesture, and on his thigh, King of Kings, Rev. 19. 16. Then we do what in us lies to make him King, when we set the Crown of all upon his head. King Canutus (as Historians relate) took the Crown off his own head and set it upon a Crucifix; so a good Christian takes the Crown of honour and applause from his own head, and sets it upon the head of Christ: This is hard for flesh and blood to stoop to; a proud heart will not easily part with the Crown; he will commend Christ, and bid others bow the knee: only in the throne he would be greater. ^zBut be assured there's no way for us to reign with Christ, but to let Christ reign here.

Ʋse 2. Trial. Examine your selves whether you are¹ the heirs of this Crown. Quest. But how may that be known? Answ. By this one note; If you set the Crown on Christs head while you live, he will set the Crown on your head when you die. Have you wisdom to manage businesses of concernment, strength to do duties, resist temptations, bear burdens? you will ⟨p. 18⟩not assume, or arrogate any thing to your selves, but let Christ wear the Crown: ^y