as he would others should do by him.

Such is the character given of him of old, who "was _perfect_ in his
generations," when "the whole earth was filled with violence, because
all flesh had corrupted their way," And every good man follows his
example; hath respect to all God's commandments, and hates every evil
way. Perfection, in the strict sense of the term, is his wish, and his
aim, though he doth not expect to attain it while resident in the
body. But he "forgets the things which are behind and reaching forth
to those which are before, he presses on," endeavoring a nearer
conformity to the divine pattern.

While he is just toward man, he is sincere toward God, acting
uprightly before him. He is really the good man he appears. His
profession is not dissembled. His heart is right--his eye single.
Sincerity is gospel perfection. In this true religion very essentially
consists: And it is found on all the saints.

The good man keeps in mind his covenant engagements. For the vows of
God are upon him and he is careful to fulfil them. He doth not wish to
be released from his obligations with which he is bound to be the
Lord's and to serve him. He is concerned to honor God--thinks nothing
unimportant which he hath required, though the reasons of the
requirement may lie out of sight. "Lord what wilt thou have me to
do?" is his daily inquiry. And he seeks to know, that he may do his
duty. He waits on God in the ways of his appointment, and is busy
about the work assigned him. He is also steady in his counsels and
uniform in his conduct. His heart is established by grace, and his
life accords with the inward principle. He is not whiffling and
unsteady, "carried about by every wind of doctrine"--taken and drawn
away by every new scheme of religion; but "holds fast the faithful
word; and is able by sound doctrine both to exhort and convince
gainsayers." He doth not "put his hand to the plough and look back,"
but perseveres to the end, and is faithful unto death. The fear and
love of God reigning in his heart, govern his life and direct his way,
rendering him an uniform character Therefore do those most intimately
--acquainted with him, convinced of his integrity--: that he is free
from duplicity, and that he abhors evil, and all approaches toward it,
both value him themselves, and make him known to others; and by
bringing him into public view, render him a public blessing. Neither
doth he disappoint their expectations, but ac