THE

ALMOST CHRISTIAN

DISCOVERED:

OR, THE

FALSE PROFESSOR

TRIED AND CAST.

BY MATTHEW MEAD.

THE THIRTY-FIFTH EDITION.

And the Pharisees, who were covetous, heard all these things, and they
derided him. Luke xvi. 14, 15.

And Jesus said unto them, Ye are they which justify yourselves hefore
men; but God knoweth your hearts. For that which is highly esteem-
ed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God.

LONDON:

PRINTED FOR WILLIAM BAYNES AND SON,

PATERNOSTER-ROW.

H. S. BAYNES, AND A. ALLARDICE AND CO.

EDINBURGH.

W. Gracie, Printer.

レ

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

1876, April 18.0
Gift of

Exbward Winslow.
maion Plain.

૩+૩૭

CONTENTS.

THE scope of the chapter

The coherence of the text

The sense and meaning of the words

The doctrine propounded

Two things arise from it of serious meditation

Three things are premised

page 21

31

First, There is nothing in this doctrine should be matter of stumbling

or discouragement to weak Christians

There is great use of such doctrine as this is

1. To make them look to their standing

2. It helps to raise their admiration of distinguishing love

3. It incites to that excellent duty of heart-searching

4. It engages the soul to double diligence

Secondly, It is premised, though many go far in the way to heaven,

and yet fall short, yet that soul that hath the least true grace shall

never fall short

Thirdly, They that can hear such truths as this, without serious re-

flections, and self-examination, may suspect the goodness of their

condition

The doctrine re-assumed and demonstrated by scripture-evidence

1. By the example of the young man in the gospel

2. Proof from the parable of the virgins

3. The demonstration from Isa. lviii. 2.

The text opened

For the more distinct prosecution of the point, is shewed

39

ib.

40

41

44

48

ib.

Quest. 1. How far a man may go in the way to heaven, and yet be

but almost a Christian; shewn in twenty several steps

First, A man may have much knowledge and yet be but almost a

Christian

49

ib.

Object. But is it not said, This is life eternal, to know the only true

God, and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent? Answered

Secondly, A man may have great and eminent gifts; yea, spiritual,

and yet be but almost a Christian

ib.

52

1. Gifts from the common work of the Spirit

2. Gifts for the use and good of others

3. It is beyond the power of the greatest gifts to change the heart

4. Many have gone laden with gifts to hell

Three things must be done for us, if ever we avoid perishing

5. Gifts may decay and perish

ib.

53

ib.

55

56

ib.

Object. But doth not the apostle bid us covet after the best gifts?

Why covet them earnestly, if they avail not to salvation? Answer-

ed

Thirdly, A man may have a high profession of religion, be much in

external duties of godliness, and yet be but almost a Christian

1. A man may profess religion, and yet never have his heart changed 59

2. A man may profess religion, and live in a form of godliness

3. Custom and fashion may create a man a professor

4. Many may perish under a profession of godliness