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

5 Betake thy self unto God in Jesus Christ son Salvation. This Salvation is from Heaven, and therefore go to Heaven for it. Do you not remember what Christ said to that Woman of Samaria, Joh. 4.14. If thou knewest ⟨p. 232⟩—thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water. Would you partake of the waters of Life and Salvation, then go to the Lord and ask for it: The reason why men partake not hereof, is, because they ask not for it; Do but ask, & ask as you should do, & you shall receive; Ask earnestly, constantly, sincerely, and you shall have Salvation. Know for encouragement, the Lord is able to save thee, yea, and full of Grace and Compassion, willing to save all that come unto him. Only then yon must remember to ask in season, Isa. 55.6. Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near.

Therefore this brings to the last Direction, which is this, Improve your time, work while it is day, John 9.4. while you have time, up and be doing: Let not this great work of your Salvation stand still, but while you have time, labour about it night and day, yea, every day follow this work Let not a day pass without something done this way, get every day a step nearer Heaven than you were before: And in special, the Lords-Day is a season which should be improved to this end. Indeed other works must not be done upon this day; servile works may not, but Spiritual-work, Soul-work, Salvation-work is this day to be attended. Improve then every opportunity, Oh, let not any slip, without some good done: And especially remember ⟨p. 233⟩the present opportunity, to take hold of it; concerning which you have heard more largely. To be sure this thing is your present duty. If a mans house were on fire, his present work would be to think how he might quench it: Oh! thy Immortal Soul is in danger of Hell-fire every moment! Thy poor Soul hangs over the Eternal flames, only by the twine thread of a rotten life (as I may so speak) if that break, thy Soul is dropped down into easeless and endless woe; and is it not thy present work to endeavour with might & main, that thy Soul may be delivered from this danger, before the Pit, from whence there is no Redemption, hath shut its mouth upon thee? Jesus, that delivers from the wrath to come, let him be thy Salvation!