THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN

"Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian." Acts 26:28.

1. And many there are who go thus far: ever since the Christian religion has been in the world, there have been many in every age and nation who were almost persuaded to be Christians. But seeing it avails nothing before God to go only thus far, it highly imports us to consider what is implied in being almost, and what in being altogether, a Christian.

2. I. 1. Being almost a Christian implies, first, heathen honesty. No one, I suppose, will make any question of this; especially, since by heathen honesty here, I mean, not that which is recommended in the writings of some of their philosophers only, but such as the common heathens actually practiced, and such as the great master of their morals requires.

3. A second thing implied in the being almost a Christian, is, having a form of godliness, of that godliness which is prescribed in the gospel of Christ; the having the outside of a real Christian. Accordingly, the almost Christian does nothing which the gospel forbids. He taketh not the name of God in vain; he blesseth, and curseth not; he sweareth not at all, but his communication is, yea, yea; nay, nay.

4. II. What more than this is implied in being altogether a Christian?

First, the love of God. For thus saith his word, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength."

Secondly, the love of our neighbour. For our Lord saith, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself."

Thirdly, the ground of all, even faith.