The almost Christian discovered, in some sermons on Acts 26, 28 with a blow…

When the Searchers had brought reports to them, that the Land indeed was good and fruitful, but the Walls of the City were built up to heaven, and that there were many Giants; and that they should be beaten and eaten: They were not so much allured with the goodness of the Land, as they were deterred by the thoughts of the difficulties; and though God himself bid them arise, and enter, and take possession, they would not venture upon so hazardous an exercise, and so difficult an enterprise: So there are many forward Professors who are come to the very Borders of the Land of Canaan, to the very entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, who, when they see ⟨p. 99⟩what strong holds of Iniquity they must cast down, what Principalities and Powers they must fight with, and what gigantic Lusts, as the Sons of Anak, they must subdue and destroy, this frights them from attempting any further.

When the Searchers had brought reports to them, that the Land indeed was good and fruitful, but the Walls of the City were built up to heaven, and that there were many Giants; and that they should be beaten and eaten: They were not so much allured with the goodness of the Land, as they were deterred by the thoughts of the difficulties; and though God himself bid them arise, and enter, and take possession, they would not venture upon so hazardous an exercise, and so difficult an enterprize: So there are many forward Professors who are come to the very Borders of the Land of Canaan, to the very entrance into the Kingdom of Heaven, who, when they see ⟨p. 99⟩what strong holds of Iniquity they must cast down, what Principalities and Powers they must fight with, and what gigantick Lusts, as the Sons of Anak, they must subdue and destroy, this frights them from attempting any further.

Secondly, To be almost a Christian, carries in it those advantages and those accommodations, which, were they altogether such, they must lose; and therefore this is one Reason why so many stick in the New-birth: Such a one is no Saint, and therefore the men of the World embrace him; such an one is no profane and scandalous person, and therefore the Children of God embrace him, and think well of him too; and thus he doth hold a correspondency with both of them; which were he altogether either, one or the other, he must break off; and therefore finding the conveniency of this neutral estate, he stops where he is, short of true Grace. Were he a profane Wretch, then those that are truly godly would avoid his company; or were he truly godly, then the World would reject and scorn him; the odly esteem and love him, and from their ready Charity they look upon