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

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, Heb. 6.1, 2. Let us go on unto perfection, not laying again the foundation of Repentance, and Faith and Doctrine of Baptisms, &c. Let us not (saith he) content our selves with a state of Initiation, that we are become Christians, and so baptized; but let us go on still, let us not stand at a stay in Christianity, but let us go on, on still. This is implied, in working out Salvation, even that a man shall be on the gaining, growing hand in Grace & Godliness, in Faith and Holiness. It argueth not only effectual Calling, but also a diligent following of that Calling. As a man that would be a Workman in any Civil Calling, must not only begin to work, but must follow his calling. So it a man would be a a Workman in the matter of Salvation, he must follow, and go on with the business of Religion, and of his Christian Calling, Hos. 6.3. Follow on to know the Lord. The Apostle in these words, speaketh unto such as had Grace, and were already in a state of Salvation; yet he saith to them, Work out your Salvation. These Philippians were, as we see in the beginning of the Epistle, Saints in Christ Jesus; ⟨p. 218⟩that is, they were New-Testament Believers, such as had embraced the Christian Faith outwardly, and many of them inwardly and savingly; yet to these he saith, Work out your Salvation, i. e. do it more and more. Do not think you have Salvation enough already, but labour after more; seek after more Grace, more Humility, more Knowledge, more Faith, more Love, &c. Thus it was with Paul, in this Chapter he exhorts the Philippians, to work out their Salvation; in the next Chapter he showeth by his own example, what it is so for to do, Chap. 3. vers. 12, 13, 14. Not as though I were already perfect, but I follow after in reaching forth to those things which are before, I press towards the mark, &c. he did not stand still, but kept going forward, being on the gaining hand every day. Not a day that passed over his head, but he did, and gained something in this matter of Salvation. He was a days journeys nearer Heaven, every day than other.