A discourse concerning the death of the righteous. Occasioned by the deaths of the…

2. The Lord takes away the Righteous in Judgment to the World, as well as in Mercy to themselves. That so way may be made for Evil to come on the Place and People among whom they once lived. They are sometimes very instrumental in preventing the Evil, that it should not come in their days. Hence are they said to Stand in the Gap. A few courageous Gapmen, ⟨p. 16⟩nay, it may be One may Save a whole Town from destruction. Wherefore the Lord said, I sought for a Man among them that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me, for the Land that I should not destroy it, Ezek. 22.30. One Moses did so, and Saved a whole Nation by it. Psal. 106.23. He said he would destroy them had not Moses his chosen stood before him in the breach, to turn away his wrath, lest he should destroy them. When there is a breach made in the Wall of a City, courageous men will venture to stand in the Gap, and so keep out the Enemy. Thus do the Righteous keep off and turn back impending Judgments: Wherefore when there is an holy determination that Evil shall break in, the Lord removes those out of the way that would hinder. Tis said in Psal. 78.50. He made a way to his Anger. This the Lord often does by taking away the Righteous, then the current of Judgment will run smoothly, there will be nothing to obstruct. Sodom could not be destroyed before righteous Lot was taken out of it, and got safe to Zoar. The Angel said, escape thither, for I cannot do any ⟨p. 17⟩thing until thou be come thither, Gen. 19.22.

2. The Lord takes away the Righteous in Judgment to the World, as well as in Mercy to themselves. That so way may be made for Evil to come on the Place and People among whom they once lived. They are sometimes very instrumental in preventing the Evil, that it should not come in their days. Hence are they said to Stand in the Gap. A few couragious Gapmen, ⟨p. 16⟩