Now the Text that I have chosen, is suitable for this occasion: For this Reverend Minister was first a righteous man; he was righteous in an Evangelical sense, he was one that was justified, and sanctified. Secondly, He was a merciful man, both in an active and passive sense; he was one that showed mercy to the distressed Members of Jesus ⟨p. 2⟩Christ, and he was one to whom God showed mercy; this righteous and merciful man is now perished, as to his outward condition, not as to his everlasting condition; but as to his outward bodily condition he is perished, and he is taken away; the word in the Hebrew is very emphatical; merciful men, Colligu•tur, are gathered; it is the same word that is used concerning Josiah, 2 Kings 22.10. Thou shalt be gathered to thy Fathers, and go to thy grave in peace, and shalt not see the evil that I will bring upon this Nation. This godly and righteous man is now gathered, as ripe Corn in the Barn of Heaven; he is taken away from the evil that is to come, from the beholding that evil that is coming upon the sinful World; he is taken away in mercy, that he may not be troubled with the troubles that are coming upon many; he is taken away from the evil to come.
Now the Text that I have chosen, is suitable for this occasion: For this Reverend Minister was first a righteous man; he was righteous in an Evangelical sence, he was one that was justified, and sanctified. Secondly, He was a mercifull man, both in an active and passive sence; he was one that shewed mercy to the distressed Members of Jesus ⟨p. 2⟩Christ, and he was one to whom God shewed mercy; this righteous and merciful man is now perished, as to his outward condition, not as to his everlasting condition; but as to his outward bodily condition he is perished, and he is taken away; the word in the Hebrew is very emphatical; merciful men, Colligu•tur, are gathered; it is the same word that is used concerning Josiah, 2 Kings 22.10. Thou shalt be gathered to thy Fathers, and go to thy grave in peace, and shalt not see the evil that I will bring upon this Nation. This godly and righteous man is now gathered, as ripe Corn in the Barn of Heaven; he is taken away from the evil that is to com, from the beholding that evil that is coming upon the sinful World; he is taken away in mercy, that he may not be troubled with the troubles that are coming upon many; he is taken away from the evil to come.
