The progress of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…The progresse of divine providence, set out in a sermon preached in the Abbey…

This word [Greek or Hebrew], worthy, doth not intend any merit, but a mere meetness; no condignity, but a congruity and correspondency to that whereunto it is referred. This is evident by that phrase which the Baptist useth, where he exhorteth to bring forth fruits worthy repentance, ¹which our last and best Translators thus turn, Fruits meet for repentance. And in the margin thus, Fruits answerable to amendment of life. If in that place [Greek or Hebrew], worthy, should be taken for any matter of desert, it might be thus translated, Fruits which deserve repentance, that is, such as are to be repented of. And what are those fruits, think ye? surely evil,² such as those whereof the Apostle thus saith, What fruit had you then of those things, whereof you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death. A catalogue of them is reckoned up, Gal. 5. 19, 20, 21. But the word [Greek or Hebrew], is derived from [Greek or Hebrew], which signifieth to poise: and the Metaphor is taken from things equally poised: there being the like weight in each balance, they stand even. Thus when mans inward disposition, and outward conversation is answerable to Gods gracious dispensation, it is in Scripture dialect called a worthy walking. Hereby therefore it i• intended, that we who live in these later times, and enjoy the better things which God hath provided for his Church, should more abound in knowledge, be more strengthened in faith, be more established in hope, be more enlarged in our hearts with a zeal of Gods glory, be more conformable in our lives to his holy will, be more charitable to such as stand in need, be more diligent and faithful in employing and improving our talent, more patient under crosses, more ready and forward to suffer for ⟨p. 38⟩the name of Christ, and to seal up our holy profession, even with our blood, if we be called thereunto. It is not enough for us to be followers of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises; ³but we must strive to outstrip them. As we have more means of grace, so we must more abound in the measure of all Christian graces. The forementioned worthy walking intends thus much.