THE ALMOST CHRISTIAN DISCOVERED
By Matthew Mead (1629-1699)
Soli Deo Gloria Publications. 166 pages
ISBN 1 877611 72 7
Matthew Mead was an English Puritan preacher who pastored a congregation in Stepney, London. The title of this slim book is taken from the words of Agrippa in Acts 26.28 (KJV). Mead's purpose is not to 'discourage weak believers' but to truly make religious hypocrites uncomfortable.
He does this by examining 20 characteristics which at first sight suggest that those possessing them are true Christians, but, in fact, are not. For each characteristic which he maintains does not accompany salvation, Mead anticipates objections and provides answers to them.