Section 1143
II. The regard that is to be had to such a man
He is to be marked, and observed, beheld, looked at, and attentively considered. Mark and observe how this man came to be perfect and upright; since, though God made man so, he sinned, and lost his perfection and uprightness: seeing that man now is a corrupt and depraved creature, conceived in sin, and shapen in iniquity; there is none righteous and good, no not one; all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. Let it be observed and remarked then, that the perfect and upright man comes to be so by the grace of God, by which alone he is what he is; and by receiving grace out of the fullness which is in Christ, and by the Spirit of God and his grace; for all this is not by might or power of man, but by the spirit and grace of God. Mark and observe such men, and look upon them with wonder and admiration; they are so many instances of the marvelous loving-kindness of God, of his amazing grace, and wondrous power; they are like Isaiah and his children, or rather like Christ and his; they are for signs and wonders; and as Joshua and his fellows, who were men wondered at. (Isaiah 8:18, Zechariah 3:8) It is astonishing that sinful creatures, so sadly corrupted, should be made perfect and upright. Mark and observe such with great esteem and affection; for if you love God and Christ, you will love those that are begotten of them, and bear their image and likeness as these do: these are the precious sons of Zion; these are the excellent in the earth, in whom should be all your delight; and the more attentively you view them, the more you will love them. Mark and observe them as rare and uncommon persons, which are seldom to be found, and only here and there. Noah was perfect in the age in which he lived, but were there any other? we read of no more. Job was perfect and upright; but then there was none like him in all the earth, and therefore the Lord would have him considered. There are but few, in all ages, whose persons and garments are undefiled, or who are such perfect and upright men. Mark and observe them, so as to imitate them; be followers of them, so far as they are followers of Christ; walk as they do, and as you have them for an example: we should be followers and imitators of them, who through faith and patience have inherited the promises. Observe their conversation, how becoming the gospel of Christ it is; how by it they adorn the doctrine of God their Savior; how by the grace of God they have had it in the world; consider the end of their conversation, which issues in Christ, and in the glory of his name, and is to the honor of his interest. Take notice of their death, and the issue of it, and their end: this is not so generally considered as it should be; the righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart, and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come; (Isaiah 62:1) that it is for their good they are removed, and that there are evil times coming on, they are taken from; it is to their profit and advantage, but to the loss of those who survive; who, as they live to see troublesome times, want their presence, counsel and assistance: hence such a complaint from one that marked these things; Help, Lord; for the godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men: (Psalm 12:1) the happy exit of such may deserve special regard and attention; which leads me to consider,