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

1. Take heed of thinking that you are in a state, or in the way of Salvation, when as it is not so. Alas, it is thus with many, & this proveth the Eternal ruin of their Souls, Prov. 14.12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ⟨p. 227⟩ways of death: There are that think they are going in the way which leads unto Life, when-as they are going in the way which will bring them down into the Chambers of Death. So it was with the Pharisees: therefore Christ said to them, that he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; And that the whole have no need of a Physician, but the sick, Mat 9 13. They were righteous in their own eyes, they conceited themselves to be whole, and thence never sought after Christ the Physician of Souls for help and healing. This conceit was their ruin. Thus it is with millions, they feel not their need of Christ: Every man indeed knoweth, as to a general Notional Conviction, that he hath need of Christ, but few that feel it. Men see not themselves in a Christless, lost condition, and thence they perish. This also was Laodicea's undoing, Rev. 3.17. Thou sayest, I am rich, and increased in goods, and have need of nothing, and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. This is the reason why many are never saved, even because they think themselves sure of Salvation already. Many millions of those lost Souls that are dropped down for ever into the pit of Eternal Darkness, this which you now hear was their ruin.

1. Take heed of thinking that you are in a state, or in the way of Salvation, when as it is not so. Alas, it is thus with many, & this proveth the Eternal ruine of their Souls, Prov. 14.12. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ⟨p. 227⟩ways of death: There are that think they are going in the way which leads unto Life, when-as they are going in the way which will bring them down into the Chambers of Death. So it was with the Pharisees: therefore Christ said to them, that he came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance; And that the whole have no need of a Physitian, but the sick, Mat 9 13. They were righteous in their own eyes, they conceited themselves to be whole, and thence never sought after Christ the Physitian of Souls for help and healing. This conceit was their ruine. Thus it is with millions, they feel not their need of Christ: Every man indeed knoweth, as to a general Notional Conviction, that he hath need of Christ, but few that feel it. Men see not themselves in a Christless, lost condition, and thence they perish. This also was Ladicea's undoing,