cording to his ability,
acquits himself with honor, and doth good to all around him.

Others may differ from him in speculative opinions; other good men.
Such differences are unavoidable in this state of darkness and
uncertainty. No two persons see alike in every thing, whatever may be
pretended. But those who know _the perfect and upright man_, will
generally allow that he acts sincerely towards God and man. While
those who are connected with him by tender ties, who are so happy as
to make with him the journey of life, are led by a thousand kind
offices and nameless acts of benevolence and goodness to revere and
love him.

Such is the character intended in the text--Such _the perfect man and
upright_ in himself, and in the estimation of those who know him. Thus
doth he pass through life, feeling and confessing his deficiencies,
lamenting that he can do no more for God's honor, and relying on grace
alone in Christ, for acceptance with him.

When a person of this description "having served his generation, by
the will of God falls asleep," not only relatives and near connexions,
but all who know his worth, mourn his exit, and weeping around his
corse, bedew his hearse with tears. His name is revered, his memory is
blessed, and even envy is silent.

II. We are to consider his peaceful end--_The end of that man is
peace_.

By a person's _end_, his death, the period of his mortal life is
intended. It doth not intend the end of his existence--the modern
infidel terms used to express death. So in other scriptures; as
when God foretold the destruction of the old world--"The end of all
flesh is before me." So Balaam, when looking forward to his exit out
of life--"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end
be like his." Had death been the period of his existence, it would
have been a matter of indifference whether it found him righteous or
wicked. As to hope in death there would have been no difference. But
this is not the case. Man hath an immortal part within. At the period
of mortal life, he enters on an interminable state.

Mark _the perfect man, and behold the upright: For the end of that man
is peace_. He finds peace at the approach of death--in death, and
after death. In order to a due estimation of the value of true
religion in Himself, and in its reward, we are here called to observe
the good man's _end_. It demands our careful attention. For the scene
is peculiarly instructive. It animates to a