Without regarding the inclinations of nature, he embraced, or rejected every thing, with a view altogether to the promotion of the holy and happy fellowship of his soul with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. I am aware, how much more easy it is to _say_ great things on this head, concerning one’s self, or others, than to say _nothing_ but the truth. And it may be questioned, whether the greater part of the shining accounts hereof which we have seen, are the simple truth: the writers often shewing, rather what _they could say_, than what the persons whom they describe, _really were_. It is a fruitless expectation to look for more in men, than the state of humanity really admits. The perfection of human kind is such a state of mind and body, as their nature admits of, and as God has provided for them, in the ocean of his love, and treasures of his grace. The sum of our perfection is, that being saved from all our enemies, (that is sins, including all wrong tempers, as well as words, and actions,) we love God with all the powers of the soul, and serve him, with the whole capacity, of both our soul and body. And whoever has attained to this (which whoso denies the possibility of, rejects the counsel and word of God) is, a _perfect man_, according to the scripture; manifold infirmities, necessarily connected with a dying body notwithstanding. *This servant of God had his infirmities, properly so called, which often made him weep in secret places. And yet, so powerfully did the grace of our Lord work in him, to the destruction of sin; and to such a degree of victory did he attain over himself, the world and Satan, that, to many, he seemed more than human; being in truth a man of another world, in whom dwelt richly the Spirit of the living God. To such as were witnesses of his fervent zeal, mighty prayer, steady seriousness, and habitual heavenly-mindedness, I shall not wonder if all that follows, seems far short of a full description of him. And yet, I am aware on the other hand, that to many others, it may have all the air of mere ideal flight, or enthusiastic folly; to persons, who, cold themselves, think ardor comes from hell. The deep, and genuine _acquaintance with God_, to which he attained, was in truth beyond that which the generality of Christians arrive at; although all are, without doubt, equally entitled thereto. He truly _put off the old man with his deeds_, and became _renewed in the spirit of_ his _mind_. He fully experienced the significancy of those words, _Sin shall not have dominion over you_. And _he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin_. As also, _ye are dead: and he that is dead, is freed from sin_. And from hence it was, that there appeared throughout his whole carriage, such fruit unto holiness. In him might be seen, how great things God doth for his children, who simply follow him, even in this world: no less than making them complete before him in love.