Some important truths about conversion, delivered in sundry sermons, / by Increase Mather, D.D.…

Christians ought to work out their own Salvation, and that with Fear and Trembling.

Phil. 2.12. Work out your own Salvation with Fear and Trembling.

THE scope of the Apostle in the beginning of this Chapter, is to persuade the Philippians unto Christian Love and Unity, unto which there is a most solemn obtestation in the first and second Verses of the Chapter. And in order thereunto, he doth exhort unto Humility and Self-denial, Vers. 3, 4. because Schisms and Contentions do usually proceed from the want of, or defect in those ⟨p. 210⟩Graces. Had men that measure of Humility and Self-Denial which would become Christians, they would certainly live in love and peace one with another. Now this Self-denial is urged here by the Apostle, from the highest example and pattern thereof that ever was, namely, the obedience of Jesus Christ the Son of God, which together with the glorious effects and consequents of it, is described from the fourth to this twelfth Verse of the Chapter. This Verse then, is an inference from that which is in the foregoing Verses expressed, as we see by the first word in it, [Wherefore, &c.] That illative particle [Wherefore] showeth, that these words are inferred from the former Discourse. It is as if the Apostle had said, We must go to Salvation in the same way which Christ, who is the Captain of our Salvation hath gone before us. But Christ went in a way of Obedience and Self-denial, therefore we must do so likewise. Thus for the scope of the place.

THE scope of the Apostle in the beginning of this Chapter, is to perswade the Philippians unto Christian Love and Unity, unto which there is a most solemn obtestation in the first and second Verses of the Chapter. And in order thereunto, he doth exhort unto Humility and Self-denial, Vers. 3, 4. because Schisms and Contentions do usually proceed from the want of, or defect in those