10. Sincerity therefore is necessarily implied in the being _almost a Christian_: a real design to serve God, a hearty desire to do his will: it is necessarily implied, that a man have a sincere view of pleasing God in all things: in all his conversation: in all his actions: in all he does, or leaves undone. This design, if any man be _almost a Christian_, runs through the whole tenor of his life. This is the moving principle, both in his doing good, his abstaining from evil, and his using the ordinances of God. 11. But here it will probably be enquired, is it possible that any man living, should go so far as this, and nevertheless be _only almost a Christian_? What more than this can be implied, in the being a _Christian altogether_? I answer, first, That it is possible to go thus far, and yet be but _almost a Christian_; I learn not only from the oracles of God, but also from the sure testimony of experience. 12. Brethren, great is _my boldness towards you in this behalf_. And _forgive me this wrong_, if I declare my own folly upon the house-top, for yours and the gospel’s sake. Suffer me then to speak freely of myself, even as of another man. I am content to be abased, so ye may be exalted, and to be yet more vile, for the glory of my Lord. 13. I did go thus far for many years, as many of this place can testify: using diligence to eschew all evil, and to have a conscience void of offence: redeeming the time, buying up every opportunity of doing all good to all men; constantly and carefully using all the public and all the private means of grace; endeavouring after a steddy seriousness of behaviour, at all times and in all places: and God is my record, before whom I stand, doing all this in sincerity; having a real design to serve God, a hearty desire to do his will in all things, to please him who had called me to _fight the good fight_, and to _lay hold of eternal life_. Yet my own conscience beareth me witness in the Holy Ghost, that all this time I was but _almost a Christian_. II. If it be enquired, what more than this is implied in the being _altogether a Christian_? I answer,