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

We proceed therefore to the Use of the Doctrine: Let it be of earnest Exhortation, and that in the words of the Text, Work out your own Salvation with fear and trembling: So that you do not only work about, but work out your Salvation, and that you do it with fear and trembling. And for rules of Direction here, 1. Go to work understandingly. David prayeth, Give me understanding, & I shall live, Ps. 119 144. even so, if you would nave Life & Salvation, then labour after spiritual understanding. It is true, knowledge alone will not save, a man may have a wonderful measure of knowledge, and yet perish; nevertheless, the want of knowledge may destroy a man, Hosea 4.6. ⟨p. 253⟩My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. He that would be a Workman as to any Civil Calling, must have knowledge: So he that would be a Workman as to his general Calling, must have spiritual knowledge. A workman hath the Idea, Model and Platform of his work in his head, whereby he is enabled to go to work understandingly, that he knoweth where to begin, and how to go on, and where to finish: So he that would be a Workman, as to this work of Salvation, must get a Platform thereof into his head and heart; he must know what work of the Law, what of the Gospel, what Preparation, what Conviction, what Contrition, what Humiliation, what Faith, what Holiness, &c. is requisite in order to Salvation. 2. Look well to your Foundation: As in all works, except the Foundation be right, the works will come to nothing: So it is in this work of Salvation. Oh therefore take heed of building upon a sandy Foundation. They that build upon Privileges, or Gifts, or Duties, or Creatures, build upon a sandy Foundation: But see you build upon the Rock. Remember what you have lately heard in many Sermons, concerning the wise & foolish Builders, from Mat. 7.24. to 28. ⟨p. 254⟩Christ is the only safe Foundation to build upon, 1. Cor. 3.11. Other Foundation can no man lay, besides that which is laid, even Jesus Christ: Therefore see that you build upon him, and upon him wholly and only: Not partly upon Christ, and partly upon other things, but wholly on Christ alone. 3. Be often examining how this work goes forward: The reason why this work of a mans own Salvation goeth no more forward, is, because the duty of Self Examination is no more practised: Therefore examine whether you have Grace, 2 Cor: 13.5.