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; and if won already, brought nearer to Him. It is a path, God, in his everlasting kindness, guided my feet into, in the flower of my youth, when about twenty-two years of age: then He took me by the hand, and led me out of the pleasures, vanities, and hopes of the world. I have tasted of Christ's judgments and mercies, and of the world's frowns and reproaches: I rejoice in my experience, and dedicate it to thy service in Christ. It is a debt I have long owed, and has been long expected: I have now paid it, and delivered my soul. To my country, and to the world of Christians, I leave it: my God, if He please, make it effectual to them all, and turn their hearts from that envy, hatred, and bitterness, they have one against another, about worldly things; sacrificing humanity and charity to ambition and covetousness, for which they fill the earth with trouble and oppression; that receiving the Spirit of Christ into their hearts, the fruits of which are love, peace, joy, temperance, and patience, brotherly kindness and charity, they may in body, soul, and spirit, make a triple league against the world, the flesh, and the devil, the common enemies of mankind; and having conquered them through a life of self-denial, by the power of the Cross of Jesus, they may at last attain to the eternal rest and kingdom of God. So desireth, so prayeth, Friendly Reader, Thy fervent Christian Friend, WILLIAM PENN. CONTENTS. CHAPTERS I. AND II.--Page 1-23. Of the Necessity of the daily bearing of the Cross of Christ. CHAPTER III.--Page 24-28. What the Cross of Christ is. CHAPTER IV.--Page 29-42. What the great Work of the Cross is. CHAPTERS V. AND VI.--Page 43-74. Of unlawful Self in Religion and Morality. CHAPTERS VII. VIII. IX. X. XI. AND XII.--Page 75-149. Of Pride, the first capital Lust, its Rise, Definition, and Distinction. CHAPTER XIII.--Page 150-167. Of Avarice, the second capital Lust, its Definition and Distinction. CHAPTERS XIV. XV. XVI. XVII. AND XVIII.--Page 168-229. Of Luxury, what it is, and the Mischief of it to Mankind. CHAPTER XIX.--Page 233-294. The Testimonies of several great, learned, and virtuous Personages among the Gentiles, urged against the excesses of the Age. CHAPTER XX.--Page 295-324. The Doctrine and Practice of the blessed Lord Jesus and his Apostles, the primitive Christians, and those of more modern Times in favour of the Discourse. CHAPTER XXI.--Page 325-355. The serious Apprehensions and Expressions of several aged and dying Men of Fame and Learning. CHAPTER XXII.--Page 356-365.