No Cross, No Crown

William Penn

1669

Written during Penn's imprisonment in the Tower of London—a meditation on self-denial as the path to spiritual glory.

The Cross of Christ

"No cross, no crown"

Though this be a truth man is unwilling to learn, and less to practice, yet it is a truth of the greatest moment and should be well considered by all who would come to true happiness.

The cross of Christ is that Spirit and power in man which crosseth the carnal will of men, and so may be justly termed the instrument of man's holy dying to the world and being made conformable to the will of God.

The State of Christendom

There is nothing the wiser heathens were more precise in, than in observing the terms of moderation; and he was counted the bravest man with them, that could conquer his passion, and not he that could storm or sack a city.

"Christ's cross is Christ's way to Christ's crown"

This is the subject of the following discourse, first written during my confinement in the Tower of London, in the year 1668, now reprinted with great enlargements of matter and testimonies, that thou, reader, mayest be won to Christ.

Self-Denial

He that would be a disciple of Jesus must deny himself, take up his daily cross, and follow Him. This is a hard saying to some: but it must be done, or we cannot be His disciples.

"He that would reign with Christ must suffer with Him"

They that cannot bear Christ's cross cannot wear His crown. To reign it is necessary first to serve; to be chief, it is needful to be least.

The way to glory is through shame; to riches, by poverty; to rest, by labour; to honour, by humility.

Against Pride

Pride is the first-born son of hell, and the image of its father, the devil. It was the sin of angels and is the folly of man.

"What is man but a ship tossed in a tempest, or a glass made to be broken?"

It is strange that dust and ashes should be proud! Man is born to trouble, and he is a great fool that troubles himself before it comes.

The humble man is blessed, but he that exalteth himself shall be abased. For God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Against Avarice

"Covetousness is the root of all evil, which, while some have lusted after, they have erred from the faith"

The covetous man is never satisfied with what he has, and therefore is always miserable in what he wants. It is a pit without a bottom; a thirst not to be quenched.

Remember, we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. Having food and raiment, let us therewith be content.

The Crown

If we suffer with Christ, we shall also reign with Him. The kingdom is promised to those that endure to the end, and overcome.

"The crown is at the end of the race, and none but the faithful can receive it"

It is not a crown of gold and jewels, but a crown of righteousness, of life, of glory; a crown that fadeth not away, but is incorruptible and eternal.

Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.

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