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The Almost Christian Discovered
This is an OCR edition without illustrations or index. It may have numerous typos or missing text. However, purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original rare book from GeneralBooksClub.com. You can also preview excerpts from the book there. Purchasers are also entitled to a free trial membership in the General Books Club where they can select from more than a million books without charge. Or, the False Professor Tried and Cast ; Being the Substance of Seven Sermons, Preached at St. Sepulchre's, London, 1661; Original Published Thomas T. Skillman in 1824 in 250 pages; Religion / Christian Life / General; History / United States / General;
166 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1825
79 people are currently reading
216 people want to read
About the author
Matthew Mead
11books7followersRev. Matthew Mead or Meade (c. 1630 � 1699) was an English Independent minister.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
April 11, 2013
This is a must read for every Christian (or Almost Christian) as our culture teaches a salvation that doesn't expect an effect on those converted. Too many people have prayed some "prayer" yet have not experienced the life changing Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This book will contrast the effect of the Gospel on those in the 1st Century with the effect (or lack thereof) of many ever since. The Gospel is not works for change but works because of change. If you aren't different you may be merely an "Almost Christian." This book will help you discover the difference for yourself and others.
This book will contrast the effect of the Gospel on those in the 1st Century with the effect (or lack thereof) of many ever since. The Gospel is not works for change but works because of change. If you aren't different you may be merely an "Almost Christian." This book will help you discover the difference for yourself and others.
July 10, 2013
This book was exactly what I needed to read. If you do read this book, read all of the introductory comments. The book makes a convincing case through scripture that there are people who think they are on their way to heaven and they rest in that belief, when in actuality they are destined for hell. You will see that Matthew Mead had a godly concern for weak Christians. He shows the issues and offers solutions for the "almost Christian." It was hard reading about sinful attitudes that I have had, but it was good to have those attitudes exposed. I was greatly encouraged from this.
January 30, 2025
I'd give 4.5 stars.
If you fell you'll be discouraged, I would suggest starting with the last (short) part about Altogether Christian and only then start from the beginning and read about Almost Christian. Aside from a half a dozen to a dozen of short sentences I could not fully agree, this book really is worth everybody's time.
If you fell you'll be discouraged, I would suggest starting with the last (short) part about Altogether Christian and only then start from the beginning and read about Almost Christian. Aside from a half a dozen to a dozen of short sentences I could not fully agree, this book really is worth everybody's time.
April 13, 2012
Rough stuff, but you have to look at yourself and ask the questions.
January 3, 2023
This book is hard to rate. The depth and truth in it are valuable, yet I had a hard time following because the introduction and first chapter took a lot of concentration. However, I believe it is a book that becomes sweeter to a believer the more times you read it.
Quotes
pg. 7 - "It is the hypocrite's fault to sit under the trials and discoveries of the world and yet not to mind them; and it is the weak Christian's fault to draw sad conclusions of their own state from premises which do not concern them."
pg. 29 - "Many take conviction of sin to be conversion from sin and so sit down and rest in their convictions. It is a sad complaint God makes of Ephraim, 'Ephraim is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of breaking forth of children.' "
pg. 31 - "Many will confess sin in general, or confess themselves sinners, and yet see little, and say less, of their particular sins. An implicit confession, as one said, is almost as bad as an implicit faith."
pg. 50 - "Like the waterway man that looks one way and rows another, many have their eyes on heaven whose hearts are in the earth. They hope in God but choose Him not for a portion. They hope in God but do not love Him as the best good and, therefore, are likely to perish without Him, notwithstanding all their hopes."
pg. 129 - "True union makes a true Christian. Many close with Christ but it is upon their own terms. They take and own Him but not as God offers Him. The terms upon which God in the gospel offers Christ are that we shall accept a broken Christ with a broken heart, a whole Christ with the whole heart - broken Christ with a broken heart as a witness of our humility, a whole Christ with a whole heart as a witness of our sincerity. A broken Christ respects His suffering for sin, a broken heart respects our sense of sin. A whole Christ includes all His offices, a whole heart includes all our faculties. Christ is a King, Priest, and Prophet, and all as a Mediator. Without any one of these offices, the work of salvation could not have been completed."
Quotes
pg. 7 - "It is the hypocrite's fault to sit under the trials and discoveries of the world and yet not to mind them; and it is the weak Christian's fault to draw sad conclusions of their own state from premises which do not concern them."
pg. 29 - "Many take conviction of sin to be conversion from sin and so sit down and rest in their convictions. It is a sad complaint God makes of Ephraim, 'Ephraim is an unwise son; for he should not stay long in the place of breaking forth of children.' "
pg. 31 - "Many will confess sin in general, or confess themselves sinners, and yet see little, and say less, of their particular sins. An implicit confession, as one said, is almost as bad as an implicit faith."
pg. 50 - "Like the waterway man that looks one way and rows another, many have their eyes on heaven whose hearts are in the earth. They hope in God but choose Him not for a portion. They hope in God but do not love Him as the best good and, therefore, are likely to perish without Him, notwithstanding all their hopes."
pg. 129 - "True union makes a true Christian. Many close with Christ but it is upon their own terms. They take and own Him but not as God offers Him. The terms upon which God in the gospel offers Christ are that we shall accept a broken Christ with a broken heart, a whole Christ with the whole heart - broken Christ with a broken heart as a witness of our humility, a whole Christ with a whole heart as a witness of our sincerity. A broken Christ respects His suffering for sin, a broken heart respects our sense of sin. A whole Christ includes all His offices, a whole heart includes all our faculties. Christ is a King, Priest, and Prophet, and all as a Mediator. Without any one of these offices, the work of salvation could not have been completed."
February 23, 2023
One of those books that’s forces you to thoroughly examine the motives and desires of your heart in the Christian life. Both convicting and encouraging.
November 21, 2016
Strong medicine for sick souls
How can I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, discern whether or not I am genuinely converted? That is the question being asked and answered in this short, approachable book.
To answer that basic question, Matthew Mead raises four questions:
1.) How far in the Christian walk may a man go, yet still be an almost Christian?
2.) Why is it that so many go so far yet fall short?
3.) Why, if they've come this far, are they still almost Christians?
4.) what is the reason they only go so far and no further?
In short, the answer is in this: the almost Christian refuses either to rest solely on Christ alone for his salvation or to work out his salvation with fear and trembling. It is either a refusal to believe and thus to work for his own salvation or it is a refusal to pursue Christ in all of his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.
The almost Christian will cling to a beloved lust even while fastidiously keeping NT the Law at points which do not trample on his true love. The almost Christian will not give up all for the sake of Christ.
How can I, as a believer in Jesus Christ, discern whether or not I am genuinely converted? That is the question being asked and answered in this short, approachable book.
To answer that basic question, Matthew Mead raises four questions:
1.) How far in the Christian walk may a man go, yet still be an almost Christian?
2.) Why is it that so many go so far yet fall short?
3.) Why, if they've come this far, are they still almost Christians?
4.) what is the reason they only go so far and no further?
In short, the answer is in this: the almost Christian refuses either to rest solely on Christ alone for his salvation or to work out his salvation with fear and trembling. It is either a refusal to believe and thus to work for his own salvation or it is a refusal to pursue Christ in all of his offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.
The almost Christian will cling to a beloved lust even while fastidiously keeping NT the Law at points which do not trample on his true love. The almost Christian will not give up all for the sake of Christ.
December 11, 2017
No book, other than the Bible, has impacted my life as much as this one. It was my second reading of it that really hit me, and the many subsequent readings continue to edify my heart and soul. If you want The truth, no matter how painful; if you truly love God and want to be pleasing to Him; if you want to give diligence to make your calling and election sure; if you long to walk the "narrow and difficult way," walk according to the Spirit and not the flesh and follow Jesus, then I am convinced this book will be of great benefit. If you do read it, I pray that the Lord will apply it to your heart.
HINT: Try to assume you are an "almost Christian." Humility is very hard to come by! Humiliation is the great goal of our heavenly Father in the sanctification of our souls.
HINT: Try to assume you are an "almost Christian." Humility is very hard to come by! Humiliation is the great goal of our heavenly Father in the sanctification of our souls.
May 25, 2016
Same reason as the Distinguishing Traits of Christian Character by Gardiner Spring (and also have only read a relatively small portion of this book so far)-the doctrine of assurance-determining, reassuring, and challenging the true follower of Jesus Christ.
January 1, 2019
VERY good and self-convicting.
March 31, 2022
Pretty good book. It is definitely worth a read, although I do find a few problems with the book. It is narrowly focused, but helpful over all. 3.75 stars. Recommended.
December 19, 2021
A book highly recommended, for all those who call themselves Christians. This book will help you test the genuineness of your faith, whether you are just a mere professor of Christ (“almost Christian�) or truly are in union with Christ (“altogether Christian�).
As John MacArthur notes in the foreword, “this book is not balm for the emotions. It is food for the soul.� It is easy reading for the logic and mind, as it is properly segmented. But it is very hard reading for the soul, for the mirror that it constructs forces you to take a good hard look into the state of the soul.
But it is necessary. Because there are professors who will find themselves turned away on the last day (Matt 7). There are virgins who have no oil in the lamp who were not accepted too. So what is the state of your soul? Have you (and I) truly believed that our evil state requires salvation from an infinitely loving and Holy God? And this God, while offering costly salvation to us who believe in Jesus, expects us to labour for our faith, and to grow in holiness. And to become more like his Son.
So after laying out 20 properties on what an almost Christian is, Mead goes on to apply, caution and exhort the readers towards the evil that is sin, the need to fly to Christ for salvation. And the labour that we need to do, in order to grow in Christ.
If there were 6 stars, I will have given it. (The additional star is for this edition, which makes the language easily accessible with modern English and short sentences.)
As John MacArthur notes in the foreword, “this book is not balm for the emotions. It is food for the soul.� It is easy reading for the logic and mind, as it is properly segmented. But it is very hard reading for the soul, for the mirror that it constructs forces you to take a good hard look into the state of the soul.
But it is necessary. Because there are professors who will find themselves turned away on the last day (Matt 7). There are virgins who have no oil in the lamp who were not accepted too. So what is the state of your soul? Have you (and I) truly believed that our evil state requires salvation from an infinitely loving and Holy God? And this God, while offering costly salvation to us who believe in Jesus, expects us to labour for our faith, and to grow in holiness. And to become more like his Son.
So after laying out 20 properties on what an almost Christian is, Mead goes on to apply, caution and exhort the readers towards the evil that is sin, the need to fly to Christ for salvation. And the labour that we need to do, in order to grow in Christ.
If there were 6 stars, I will have given it. (The additional star is for this edition, which makes the language easily accessible with modern English and short sentences.)
January 31, 2022
So many people think Jesus has forgiven their sins, and they're on the way to heaven. But what if they don't have real faith? What if they haven't been truly transformed?
There is a free audio version of this on SermonAudio which I listened to. This was similar to Alleine's Sure Guide to Heaven in its goals, but very different in its approach, such as how it takes turns saying how little fruit the genuine believers have, and how much fruit the reprobates have. But then it's very helpful to show clearly what sets them apart.
Here's a great example: "Where covetousness gets the heart, there the heart hates pride; and where pride gets uppermost in the heart, there the heart hates covetousness. Thus a man may hate sin, not from a principle of grace—but from the contrariety of lusts. He does not hate any sin, as it is sin; but he hates it, as being contrary to his beloved sin."
There is a free audio version of this on SermonAudio which I listened to. This was similar to Alleine's Sure Guide to Heaven in its goals, but very different in its approach, such as how it takes turns saying how little fruit the genuine believers have, and how much fruit the reprobates have. But then it's very helpful to show clearly what sets them apart.
Here's a great example: "Where covetousness gets the heart, there the heart hates pride; and where pride gets uppermost in the heart, there the heart hates covetousness. Thus a man may hate sin, not from a principle of grace—but from the contrariety of lusts. He does not hate any sin, as it is sin; but he hates it, as being contrary to his beloved sin."
July 1, 2022
Please don't let the 3-star rating dissuade you from reading this book. I am very conflicted in my rating of this work, as I think it a necessary read, especially in our age of Almost Christians filling the seats of Churches and Almost Churches.
Pros:
- this is a very thought provoking work that demands and results in introspection from the reader
- despite being written in 1661 (although this version has been modernized in grammar, format and spelling) the points of the book are as pertinent today as they were nearly 400 years ago, if not more so
- equips for speaking with those who may be Almost Christians
Cons:
- this is a drudging, laborious read
- Mead verbosely presents what could be a ~16 page argument over the span 166 pages (maybe a little hyperbolic on my part)
Pros:
- this is a very thought provoking work that demands and results in introspection from the reader
- despite being written in 1661 (although this version has been modernized in grammar, format and spelling) the points of the book are as pertinent today as they were nearly 400 years ago, if not more so
- equips for speaking with those who may be Almost Christians
Cons:
- this is a drudging, laborious read
- Mead verbosely presents what could be a ~16 page argument over the span 166 pages (maybe a little hyperbolic on my part)
June 5, 2020
A wonderful, wonderful book that should be read by every professing Christian. In 2 Corinthians 13:5, the Apostle Paul instructs us: "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" This book is a thorough practical method for doing just this. I cannot commend it highly enough. Read with fear and trembling.
June 16, 2025
This book is truly astounding.
The structure is great, such as this:
Statement: A man may have hopes of heaven, hopes of being saved, yet be but almost a Christian.
Then it’s followed with 4 points to support the claim, with occasional objections and answers, or sub points, or reflections.
The flow of the statements will make one want to read through the whole book in one sitting, but one could sit on each statement for a month in meditation.
The structure is great, such as this:
Statement: A man may have hopes of heaven, hopes of being saved, yet be but almost a Christian.
Then it’s followed with 4 points to support the claim, with occasional objections and answers, or sub points, or reflections.
The flow of the statements will make one want to read through the whole book in one sitting, but one could sit on each statement for a month in meditation.
February 11, 2021
A must read for every believer, one that should be read regularly as a tool for testing the sincerity of your confession. Reader beware, it is a convicting work but well worth the effort. Plenty of encouragement as well.
December 10, 2018
Книга, що перевернула мене і дала поштовх для руху у правильному напрямку.
Want to read
August 11, 2023from the article Almost Saved - Four Reasons to Examine Yourself - Desiring God
January 12, 2024
Had me thinking
This book looks at a “works�, legalistic religion against true Christianity. This has been an ongoing struggle in the understanding of Faith verses works.
This book looks at a “works�, legalistic religion against true Christianity. This has been an ongoing struggle in the understanding of Faith verses works.
February 7, 2017
This book was almost like a "handbook" of sorts with which one professing faith in Jesus Christ may test himself and determine whether he is a Christian, or what Mead refers to as an "almost Christian". In the true Puritan manner, with exquisite language, the author skillfully crafts a book for any one person pondering how exactly they may know that they are genuinely converted. He answers this one question with four questions of his own, which he promptly proceeds to answer for the benefit of his readers:
i. How far may a man go in the way to heaven, and yet be but almost a Christian?
ii. Why, or whence is it, that many men go so far, as that they come to be almost Christians?
iii. Whence is it that many are but almost Christians when they have gone thus far?
iv. What is the reason that many go no farther in the profession of religion, than to be almost Christians?
As he addresses these questions, he makes a convincing case that, as put it in his ,
"what folly to fear giving yourself too entirely to God! it merely means that you are afraid of being too happy, of loving the will of God in all things too heartily, of bearing your inevitable crosses too bravely, of finding too much consolation in the love of God, and too much relief from the passions which make us miserable."
Read
September 21, 2007Probably emphasizing my less gracious tendencies, but I won't deny that it's fun old time relijun.
April 11, 2009
Excellent.
Want to read
January 6, 2017recommended by blakey
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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