A DISCOURSE, SHOWING THE NATURE AND DISCIPLINE OF THE HOLY CROSS OF CHRIST: AND THAT THE DENIAL OF SELF, AND DAILY BEARING OF REST AND KINGDOM OF GOD. TO WHICH ARE ADDED, THE LIVING AND DYING TESTIMONIES OF MANY PERSONS OF FAME AND LEARNING, BOTH OF ANCIENT AND MODERN TIMES, IN FAVOUR OF THIS TREATISE. IN TWO PARTS. BY WILLIAM PENN. And Jesus said unto his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny PHILADELPHIA: FOR SALE AT FRIENDS' BOOK STORE, No. 304 ARCH STREET. PREFACE. This is the decree of But so it is, that man what he should most READER: The great business of man's life is to answer the end for which he lives; that is, to glorify God, and save his own soul. heaven, as old as the world. mindeth nothing less, than mind; and despiseth to inquire into his own being, its original, duty and end; choosing rather to dedicate his days, the steps he should make to blessedness, to gratify the pride, avarice, and luxury of his heart; as if he had been born for himself, or rather given himself being, and so not subject to the reckoning and judgment of a superior power. To this lamentable pass hath poor man brought himself, by his disobedience to the law of God in his heart, by doing that which he knows he should not do, and leaving undone what he knows he should do. So long as this disease continueth upon man, he will make God his enemy, and himself incapable of the love and salvation, which he hath manifested by his Son, Jesus Christ, to the world. If, reader, thou art such an one, my counsel to thee is, to retire into thyself, and take a view of the condition of thy soul; for Christ hath given thee light, with which to do it. Search carefully and thoroughly; thy life hangs upon it; thy soul is at stake. 'Tis but |