No Cross, No Crown

No Cross, No Crown - A Discourse, Shewing the Nature and Discipline of the Holy Cross of Christ

No Cross, No Crown, should have ended here; but that the power which examples and authorities have put upon the minds of the people, above the most reasonable and pressing arguments, inclined me to present my readers with some of those many instances that might be given, in favour of the virtuous life recommended in our discourse. I chose to cast them into three sorts of testimonies, not after the threefold subject of the book; but suitable to the times, qualities, and circumstances of the persons that gave them forth; whose divers excellencies and stations have transmitted their names with reputation to our own times. The first testimony comes from those called Heathens; the second from professed Christians; and the last, from retired, aged, and dying men; being their last and serious reflections, to which no ostentation or worldly interests could induce them. Where it will be easy for the considerate reader to observe, how much the pride, avarice, and luxury of the world stood reprehended in the judgments of persons of great credit amongst men; and what was that life and conduct, that in their most retired meditations, when their sight was clearest, and judgment most free and disabused, they thought would give peace here, and lay foundations of eternal blessedness. [233] I. Cyrus, than whom a greater monarch we hardly find in story, is more famous for his virtue than his power; God calls him his shepherd. Now let us see the principles of his conduct and life. So temperate was he in his youth, that when Astyages, urged him to drink wine, he answered, "I am afraid lest there should be poison in it, having seen thee reel and sottish after having drunk thereof." And so careful was he to keep the Persians from corruption of manners, that he would not suffer them to leave their rude and mountainous country, for one more pleasant and fruitful, lest through plenty and ease, luxury at last might debase their spirits. And so very chaste was he, that having[234] taken a lady of quality, a most beautiful woman, his prisoner, he refused to see her, saying, "I have no mind to be a captive to my captive." It seems, he claimed no such propriety; but shunned the occasion of evil. The comptroller of his household asking him one day what he would please to have for his dinner; "Bread," said he; "for I intend to encamp nigh the water:" a short and easy bill of fare: but this shows the power he had over his appetite as well as his soldiers; and that he was fit to command others, that could command himself: according to another saying of his, "No man," saith he, "is worthy to command, who is not better than those who are to obey." And when he came to die, he gave this reason of his belief of immortality; "I cannot," said he, "persuade myself to think that the soul of man, after having sustained itself in a mortal body, should perish when delivered out of it, for want of it;" a saying of perhaps as great weight, as may be advanced against Atheism, from more enlightened times. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 44895
Author: Penn, William
Release Date: Feb 13, 2014
Format: eBook
Language: English