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

4. Herein is implied, An holy fear and jealousy, left haply a man should miss; and fall short of Salvation. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling; that is to say, since there is Salvation purchased by the Obedience of Jesus Christ, O fear and tremble, left you should by any means miss of this Salvation; as the same Apostle exhorts the Hebrews, Chap. 4. vers. 1. Let us therefore fear▪ lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. The Children of Israel (saith the Apostle) they began well, but they did not end well; They came out of Egypt, but they held not out till they came to Canaan. Oh fear lest it should be so with you; left after all your Professions and Reformations, and good beginnings in the ways of God, you should at last come short of that Salvation, which is the end of all. Thus also he speaketh here in the Text. This Fear is a virtue opposed to Security and Self Confidence; And therefore if a man doth thus fear, he taketh the right way, and the right course towards Salvation; •or Security is the way to ruin, ⟨p. 239⟩1 Cor. 10.12. Let him that thinks he stands' take heed lest he falleth. None are in such danger of falling, as they that think they stand. Self-Confidence is a fore-runner of Destruction; so fear, in respect of a mans own weakness and jealousy over his own heart, is a notable means of being preserved unto Salvation. Therefore,

4. Herein is implied, An holy fear and jealousie, left haply a man should miss; and fall short of Salvation. Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling; that is to say, since there is Salvation purchased by the Obedience of Jesus Christ, O fear and tremble, left you should by any means miss of this Salvation; as the same Apostle exhorts the Hebrews, Chap. 4. vers. 1. Let us therefore fear▪ lest a promise being left us of entring into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. The Children of Israel (saith the Apostle) they began well, but they did not end well; They came out of Egypt, but they held not out till they came to Canaan. Oh fear lest it should be so with you; left after all your Professions and Reformations, and good beginnings in the ways of God, you should at last come short of that Salvation, which is the end of all. Thus also he speaketh here in the Text. This Fear is a vertue opposed to Security and Self Confidence; And therefore if a man doth thus fear, he taketh the right way, and the right course towards Salvation; or Security is the way to ruine,