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

1. Herein is implied diligence in the use •f means to obtain Salvation. Many times in the Scripture, when are bid to do this or that, the meaning is not as though we are able to do those things, only that we should wait upon God in the use of his own means, that so he might do it for us: As when God said to Moses, Stretch thy hand out over the Sea and divide it, Exod. 14.16. This doth not show▪ that it was in Moses his power to divide the Sea, which no arm of flesh could ever do; only Moses was to use the means, and then God would do it: So the Lord saith, Make you a new heart, Eze.k 18.31. whereby is not meant, as tho' men could do this themselves; What man is able to turn a stone into a piece of flesh? Who then can turn an heart of stone into on heart of flesh? There is a Creating, & •herefore an Infinite power that is required ••ereunto: But then the meaning is, that ••e should use the means. So when it is said, Work out your own Salvation, the meaning is, do you use the means, and than you ••re in Gods way, and may expect his blessing: If you be faithful in improving means, who knoweth but that God may do more ⟨p. 215⟩for you, than ever you are able to do for you selves? As now, Prayer is one means: This we find used, Jer. 17.14. Save me, O Lord, and I shall be saved: And diligent hearing of the Word preached is a mean of Salvation; therefore an Angel from Heaven said unto Cornelius, that he should go to hear Peter preach, who should speak unto him words whereby he should be saved, Acts 11.14. And indeed all Divine Ordinances are means of Salvation; therefore are they called the Wells of Salvation, Isa. 12.3. The holy Appointments of God, are Soul-saving things, when he is pleased to own them, and bless them, and to go along with them: They are means either to begin the work of Salvation, or else to carry it on where the Lord hath already begun it: The Word and Prayer are means to begin this work, and Sacraments are means appointed to carry it on to perfection, where the Lord hath begun to save, or brought into a state of Salvation.