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

yea, the truth is, that other things are not needful in comparison of this, therefore Christ said to Martha, Thou art careful about many things, but one thing is needful, Luk. 10.41, 42. Alas! thus it is with men, yea, with the most of men, and with the greatest part of Christians also, their time & hearts are taken up about a thousand needless things: One man is careful how he may build a great house, but this is not needful; another is troubled about his Trading, how he may grow rich in this World, but this is not needful; another is taking care night & day, how he may have Portions for his Children after him, but this is not needful; There is one thing needful, to make sure of Salvation, that's needful to do, as Mary did, even to hearken to, and to obey the Doctrine of ⟨p. 226⟩Christ, which teacheth the way unto Salvation; this is needful, for a man to make sure that it shall go well with his Immortal Soul, when he shall dye, and leave this World: Oh that is needful!

We therefore proceed unto the Use of the point; let it be a word of earnest Exhortation. Oh make sure of your own Salvation. Consider well what you heard but now concerning the necessity of this matter, Salvation is that which must be had. As we say of bread. Bread must be had; so may we say of Salvation; It must be had; you are undone without it for ever. It had been better for you that you had never been born, than that you should miss of Salvation at last. As the Disciples once cried out, Save us, Lord, or we perish, Mat. 8.25. So there is no middle way between these two, but either you must have Eternal Salvation, or else you must to Eternal Damnation.