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

2. Herein is implied, That a man do make sure of a sound, through work of Grace in his Soul. As the Apostle exhorteth. 2 Pet. 1.10. Make your calling sure. This is implied in working out Salvation, even to make sure of effectual Calling. In working out ⟨p. 216⟩our Salvation is necessarily implied, the being brought into the state and way of Salvation: Now that is by effectual Calling; Grace is the way to Glory, Salvation begins in Vocation, 2 Tim. 1.9. He hath saved us, and called us; so that if a man be called, then he is saved, that is to say, in respect of his state he is so. Hence Ezek. 18. ult. Turn your selves, and live ye. A man begins to live, when he begins to turn; wherefore in working out Salvation is implied, the practice of Repentance, 2 Cor. 7.10. Repentance is there said to be unto Salvation; so that the one of these argueth the other: And true Faith in Christ is there implied, John 6.28. The Jews there say, What shall we do, that we may work the works of God? that is, what shall we do, that we may do that work which God requireth to be done, in order to Salvation? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent, vers. 29. The Jews propound a legal Question, they would fain have been saved in a way of doing, or by works of their own: Christ taketh them off from that, and tells them of Evangelical doing, even of Believing; that the work of Faith is that which is necessary to be attended by every man that would be saved.

3. Herein is implied Growing in Grace; and therefore the Text saith, [Work out] your Salvation; Which phrase noteth, a progressive motion, that we are to go in the way and work of Christianity, as the Apostle doth exhort,