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

We should come now to the Reasons of the Doctrine: I shall mention only one Reason at present, and that shall be taken from the high and absolute necessity of this matter. Indeed, if it were needless, or an indifferent matter, men might be held excused, though they should not work out their own Salvation, at least though they should not do it with fear and trembling, ⟨p. 224⟩(of which under the next Doctrine) but it is a thing of the greatest concernment and necessity to be performed. It is necessary in respect of the Commandment of God, which requireth this work to be done. There is a necessity of the Precept, hence it was said to the Jews, that it was [necessary] that the word should first be spoken to them, Acts 13.46. Why was this necessary? but that so the Commandment of the Lord might be obeyed. The Lord had so commanded, that the Jews should have the first offer of the Gospel, therefore it was necessary that so it should be. Thus here, the Lord hath commanded that men should work out their own Salvation; hence in this Verse, doing thus is called. Obedience, This is also a necessary mean in order to obtaining Salvation; Salvation is not to be had without this: Hence Christ saith, Labour for everlasting life, John 6.27. Certainly, the Lord would not prescribe unto men needless labour; if Eternal life could be had without Labour; if Salvation were to be obtained without working, the Lord would not require men thus to do. It is true, that if God hath decreed a mans Salvation, he shall be saved, but not without the use of means; for God hath decreed, that the end and the means shall go together; we may therefore say here, as Paul speaketh concerning his preaching the Gospel, ⟨p. 225⟩1 Cor. 9.16. Necessity is laid upon me, and woe unto me if I do it not: So I say, necessity is laid upon every Soul of you, to work out your own Salvation, and woe unto you, if you do it not. Besides, men by Nature are in a lost, perishing estate, & therefore it is most necessary for them to look & to labour after Salvation. As if a man be fallen into a pit, it is necessary that he should endeavour to get out of that pit; so 'tis here, men by nature are fallen into a horrible pit of Sin, Guilt, Misery, Death and Destruction, and therefore needful it is, that they should labour to get out of that woeful pit;