THE Prophet Ezekiel was one of the first Captivity under Nebuchadnezer , carried to Chaldea with King Jehojakin : He prophesied therefore in the most degenerate times of that people : and hence the most of his Prophesies are convictive , and comminatory ; and such is this Chapter before us . Here we shall see God sitting as a Judge upon an apostatized and guilty people . The matter of the Chapter consists of a particular enumeration of their grievous sins , and denunciation of Judgment against them for that reason This is delivered in three distinct Prophesies ; one from the beginning to v. 17. The second from thence to v. 23. The last from v. 23. to the end . Our Text falls within the third Prophesye , the scope of which is to declare and vindicate the righteous Judgement of God against Judah and Jerusalem : and there are two parts in it .

I. The Ground or moving cause of the controversy which God had with them , in three Particulars .

1. Their unreclaimableness under former Judgements , allegorically expressed , ver . 24. Thou art a land that is not cleansed , nor rained upon in the day of indignation . q . d . Though Judgments have fallen on you , yet they have not been as a water that hath washed away your iniquityes , but you remain filthy stil . Judgments did not effect or bring about their Repentance .

2. The prevalency of sin in all orders of men , with an enumeration of the most prevailing abominations ; in the Prophets , ver . 25.28 . in the Priests , ver . 26. in the Prince , ver . 27. in the body of the People , ver . 29. Apostacy was become universal .

3. That there were none to stand between God and them to avert , or turn away his just indignation , and hold his hands , and stay the course of his wrath that it might not seize and ruine them , ver . 30.

II . The Judgement it self , which is declared as an Effect from these causes , and by them vindicated to be just and equal , ver . 31. our Translation reads it in the preter Tense , as of a thing which was past , and God here clears up to be righteous : and then it must bear respect to Jehoiakins Captivity : Iun . Trem . and Pisc . read it in the future , and then it must referre to the desolation under Zedekiah , which soon after fell out . In the Hebr . the first Verb is in the future , the other two in the preter ; but the one is used frequently for the other in Prophetical Scriptures , God often speaks of what he will do , as if it were already done , because of the certainty of it .

The words of our Text render us the next and immediate Reason of Judahs destruction , viz. there were none found in it to turn away the wrath of God from it , no not one : the words clearly hold out unto us these three things .

1. Gods great lenity towards a people guilty of deepest Apostacy , one man might have held his hand , he looked but for one .

2. Judahs sad and deplorable condition , when they wanted this man ; times were grown sadly degenerate indeed , that there was none that appeared to stand in the gap .

3. The equity of Gods proceedings against a sinning people , when they have never a healer of breaches , none to stop gaps .

I sought , [ baquash ] The word signifies the seeking of a thing with great diligence , to look for a thing studiously , and with earnest endeavour , the Septuagint usually translate it by a word that signifies an extraordinary seeking after anything .

Gap , [ perez ] the word signifies a breach that is made in a Wall by battery , &c. The Metaphors may be explained in the Sequel .

Doct . When Apostacy hath opened a breach to let in misery , and God seeks for , but cannot find a man to make it up , it is a sad presage of great Calamity . When sin hath made way for Gods wrath , and there is none to interpose , this is an evil Omen of great misery . In the Explication we may consider ,

1. What is meant by the Hedge ? 2. What is meant by the Gap in the hedge , and how it is made ? 3. What it is to make up the Hedge , and stand in the Gap ? 4. Who is the man that may do this ? 5. When it is that God seeks a man , and can find none ? 6. The ground and Reason of the Doctrine .

1. What is meant by this Hedge ?

Answ . An Hedge is properly a sort of Fence which is set about an Enclosure , for its safety & defence : the ends unto which it servs are chiefly two , viz. that it may be kept in the owners propriety , & not lye common ; as also to keep out damage by Beasts which might otherwayes get in and do mischief . This Hedge then of which our Text speaks , is the gracious promise and Providence whereby God a●fords divine protection unto a people that are in visible Covenant with him . Criticks observe that the word [ gadar ] signifies a wall of stone that is laid up without lime or morter , such as is made about orchards or Fields : it is translated by a more general word , as Fence , Psal . 62.3 . You are as a tottering Fence , and a wall , Numb . 22.24 . A wall being on the one side , &c. the Church is Gods Vineyard , and he hedgeth it in .

1. By his Promise or Covenant , whereby he looks upon it as his propriety , he takes it ( as it were ) out of the worlds common , and fenceth it off : when a people are in Covenant with God , he looks upon them as his own , and he promiseth or engageth to them his fa●our , provided they keep Covenant with him : now this hedge of the Covenant distinguisheth between the Church and the world , and therefore we shall find that the people of God in visible Covenant are said to be a people seperated , 1 King . 8.53 . Thou didst seperate them from all the people of the Earth to be thine Inheritance : and they are commanded to keep themselves seperate , 2 Cor . 6.17 . Come out from amongst them , and be ye seperate .

2. By his providential care of them , looking after them , watching over them for good , defending them and keeping off evil from them , the Pillars of Cloud and fire in the Wilderness , which stood over the Camp of I●rael , were Emblems of this protecting providence , and when God planted his Vineyard , i.e. his Church in the Land of Canaan , it is said , he senced it , Isai . 5.2 . and what is this Fence , but his vigilant and powerful defence ? So it is expounded , Chap. 27.3 . I will keep it night and day : it is a care of Providence that none shall do it any harm , either keeping in , and restraining of wicked men , ( who are like the Beasts of the Wilderness ) from attempting of any th●ng against it ; or else defeating of them in their attempts , that they shall not break their way through , to lay it waste .

2. What is the Gap in the hedge , and how it is made ?

Answ . A Gap is properly a breach which is made in a wall or Fence , whereby it is laid open , or exposed unto Inroads . Now this Gap which is under cons●deration , is a way that is opened to let in the Judgements of God upon a people , which could find no way in as long as the H●●● was kept up , & this is done when God is by the sins of his people provoked to prophane his Covenant , and suspend his protecting providence which was their safety , so that either man may be said to make a Gap , or else it may be said of God that he doth it .

1. Man is said to make the Gap when he pollutes Gods holy Covenant : a people in visible Covenant stand upon their good behaviour , as they carry it so they may expect it shall go with them ; Isai . 1.19 , 20. If ye be willing and obedient ye shall eat the fruit of the Land , &c. God hath promised that as long as they do well , it shall go well with them : hence therefore when a people depart from the Rules of obedience , and violate their Oath given unto God , then they give God advantage to do them harm ; they clear him of his Oath and Promise : nay , because every visible Church is a spot of Emanuels Land , which he hath taken up for himself , and fenced in for his own use , therefore Apostacy makes it a polluted Land , and this is greatly provoking to a holy God : now therefore God is no longer held under obligation to protect and take any further care for them ; and that is a very great Gap , when a people through provocation , lay themselves naked & open to divine displeasure .

2. God may be said to make a Gap , when he makes a way for his wrath , according to that expression , Psal . 78.50 . he made a way to his anger : and this is then done , when he removes out of the way those things which he had before used as instrumental causes of their safety and security , viz.

1. When he takes away wise , pious , and zealous Rulers , and gives them foolish and wicked ones in their Room . Godly and faithful Governours are a defence , they keep off Judgements , by keeping of things in order ; by maintaini●g the honour of God , they maintain the peace and prosperity of a people : whiles Joash doth well , in the dayes of Jehojadah , Israel prospers : such therefore are pronounced to be a blessing , & the want of them is declared to be a woe ; Ec. 10.16 , 17. good Rulers do obviate Apo●tacy , and punish sin ; whereas wicked Princes do encourage it by impunity , and evil Example : and thus you shall find God made a Gap in Judah , by taking away men of place and worth from among them , Isai . 3.2 , 3.

2. When God leavs good Rulers to themselves , and to act their own corruptions : either to a frigid ●eglect in their zeal for God , and foolish indulgence towards wayes of wickedness , thus Eli's neglect to punish his sons for their horrible crimes , made a gaping breach upon ●srael , 1 Sam . 2.30.3.11 . or to some great fall , whereby Gods name is highly dishonoured , thus David by his sinful numbring of the people , opened a way to the devouring plague : so true is that Maxime , — Delir●nt reges , ple●●untur Achlvi , Rul●rs sins make way for the peoples sufferings . David by the matter of Uriah , brought a Sword upon his house , and all Israel is laid open by it : Hezekiah's pride and ingratitude brings wrath upon him , and upon Judah and Jerusalem , 2 Chron . 32.25 .

3. When God doth Judicially give up a people to sin , and this is usually a consequent of some former Apostacyes , of which they would not be convinced , for which they were not humbled : for sin is the great gap-maker , and therefore when their hearts are hardened , and they are left to their lusts , then there is a dore set wide open to ruine , Psal . 81.11 , 12. Israel would none of me , so I gave them up to their own hearts lusts ; and this made gaps on all sides , Hos . 4.17 . let him alone : q. d . he will make himself naked enough , he will throw down all his defence .

4. When God takes o● those chains of fear which were a restraint to Enemi●s , and causeth them to be Adversaries to his People . When Jacob travelled through Canaan , God put a fear into the Inhabitants of the Land , that they durst not pursue after him , this was a Fence to Jacob , it was his security : but when God puts courage into the hearts of their Enemies , and stirs them up to engage themselves , and make combinations against his People , this makes a gap : thus God is said to stir up Adversaries against Solomon , when he went after strange Gods .

5. When he takes away the Spirits and Gourage from his People , and fills them with panick fears : when their heart faints , and Spirit dyes in them , when they are made to be afraid of a shadow , to start at a fancy , and flee when none pursues , these are miseries menaced against a backsliding People . Lev . 26.17 , 36. magnanimity and resolution in a people is a defence , it renders them formidable ; but when once their Courage is gone , there is a breach , an in-let to sorrows , it renders a people a scorn and reproach to their Neighbours , and every one will have a snap at them .

6. When he leavs them to a Spirit of division , and contention among themselves ; especially when this grows up to an alienation of their hearts one from another , Hos . 10.2 . their heart is divided , now shall they be found faulty : divisions are rents , and lay open the nakedness of any People : they expose themselves an easy prey to any devourers , whiles they are busie in devouring one another : a divided people are out of joynt , weak and contemptible : well might there be searchings of heart for Reubens divisions .

3. What is it to make up the bedge and stand in the Gap ?

A. These two Phrases note a double work incumbent on such ,

1. To make up the hedge intimates a taking away the provoking cause , which being removed , according to the tenor of the Covenant of Gods free grace , the breach which a people have made upon themselves by their sin , is repaired : and this is done when they are brought to a true & through reformation & repentance ; for God hath given in his word and promise , that he will accept of this at their hands : as Sin made a breach , so Repentance makes it up again : yea & by this means also are the breaches that God hath made repaired , because Gods anger being now turned away from his people , he is reconciled to them again in Jesus Christ , and now he calls in his Judgments , and puts forth anew his care for his peoples defence and preservation . Jer . 42.12 . And hence , when there are such as are carefull to use the means of Reformation , and doe powerfully put them in execution , and prosecute them with zeal and resolution to effect , in this way the hedge is made up , and its breaches repaired .

2. To stand in the Gap notes an act , or continued acts of zeal , and it is done when there are such as thrust themselves in between a sinning people , and a provoked God , and doe their utmost to stand in the way of Judgements and stop them : when there are those , who though they cannot doe what they would in Reformation , yet doe the utmost they can both with God , and with a revolting people ; both intercede with God , and bear a due testimony against sin . Thus Aaron when a flood of misery was broke in , throws himself in the midst of it and makes an atonement . Numb . 16.47 , 48. He took incense , and stood between the living and the dead , and the plague was stayed : when they hold Gods hand , so that he cannot doe what he otherwise would , as long as they are there . Sodom would not burn so long as Lot was in it , but assoon as he was out it proved but tinder to the sparks of divine indignation . As also when they ●xecute due punishment upon those that are the procuring cause of these Judgments , thus the Levites by their integrity and impartiality turned away wrath from the people , when they appeared on the Lords side , and slew every man his brother , Exod . 32.26 . thus Phinehas his zeal , when he slew Zimri and Cosbi , those impudent sinners , was greatly acceptable unto God , and stayed his anger , which was out against his people . Numb . 25.11 , 12. these are those Worthies that have power with God himself that blunt the edge of his fury , and turn by the stroke of his revenge , that it cannot light where else it would .

4. Who is the man that may do this ?

Answ . Out of question there were at this time many pious , truly godly , and sincere ones in Judeah , and they were such as God took special notice of , such as mourned for the iniquity and abominations of the times and places , and God had s●ecial mercy for them : the destroying Angel must suspend doing Execution , till these had a mark set upon them for deliverance , Ezek . 9. begin . but every good man is not a man that can make up the breach ; though every Christian ought in his place , to do his utmost that it may be made up . But the man that may accompli h such a business as this is , must be a man of these endowments and qualifications .

1. He must be a leading man , i.e. a man in Authority , one that is a Ruler among his people , a man of power , and influence : a work of Reformation is set about in vain , and to no purpose , if Rulers do not lead in it : private men do but in vain urge and perswade Reformation , if mean while Superiors do countenance or so much as connive at sin : men that are in place of power have very great advantages in their hands , if they have but a heart , to do much for a peoples welfare , which private men have no opportunity of doing : their command hath authority , their very Example carryes the force of a Law with it : and hence it is the Scripture doth lay so much weight upon this , the having of good or bad Rulers over a People .

2. He must be a godly man ; for although it is not to be denyed , that God doth often make use of meerly moral men , to be very serviceable and beneficial to his People ; yet this is also to be considered , that in times of great and epidemical degeneracy , when the body of a people , and all orders have corrupted themselves , he that will hazard himself in so difficult and unthankful a work as that of making up the breach , and will do it effectually , had need to be soundly principled : there are so many Temptations in it , and so strong to bias and turn him out of this course , that if true grace ballance not , self Interest will hazard to prevail : except a man do both know and believe that God will own , stand by , and graciously reward him , he will find no other encouragement , but all Arguments to move him to desi●t , And therefore we shall find that when God promiseth unto Israel a blessing in a King , he engageth to give them a man after his own heart , 1 Sam . 13.14 .

3. He must be a publick spirited man , such an one as Nehemiah was , Neh . 2.10 It grieved them exceedingly that there was a man come to seek the welfare of the Children of Israel : such as have the common good of the people lying upon their hearts , men that are studious for Jerusalems peace , and prefer it before their own best joy ; they must not be Gallio like spirited , that care not how things go ; nor men that only take care to secure their own Cabbin , while the Ship is sinking : but such whose life is bound up in the Tranquility of their People .

4. He must be a man of a Skilful , discerning , and observing Spirit ; one that doth consider , and can understand the times and seasons , and what Israel ought to do . It is not enough to be verst in general Maximes of State , but to know how to deal in the very change of a peoples manners : How else shall they know what is their own proper duty incumbent on them , and the particular work which belongs to their Generation , to be serviceable to God and his people in : for , as the times vary , so hath God various works for his Servants to do , the neglect of which may bring a great deal of misery : it was therefore Issachars commendation that they understood the Times .

5. He must be a man of great zeal for the glory of God : one that counts it his best policy to be true and faithful to the Interest of Jesus Christ : the Worlds Politicians are afraid to do this or that , lest it should have bad Events , should not be resented , or they suffer reproach , &c. I do not deny , but believe , that it is a point of Christian prudence in any Rulers , to know what cannot be done at present , & not throw themselves upon unavoidable hazards , when they may better use other wayes to accomplish their dut● . David knew when the Military sword was too long for the Civil , and the sons of Zerviah were too strong for him , and hence reprieves Joab till Solomon's reign , then to suffer Justice for his murder . But , when men think it is rather their interest to please men then to be true to God , and hence will goe no further then what may gratifie mens corruptions , nor doe more than the spirits of an apostate people are willing to bear , will rather connive at sin , then lose the love of sinners , these are not men for the Gap , they will never be acknowledged by God to be among the number of those that make up the hedge : No , he must be a man of Phinehas his spirit , l●t him be what he will , if he be a troubler of Israel , he will not fear or spare him .

6. He must be a man of Courage and undaunted resolution , he must be like Jeremiah , a man made up of brass and iron : Ier . 1.18 . I have made thee an iron Pillar , and brazen wall against this People . He must be such an one as Nehemiah , that was not daunted by , nor deserted his work because of the Threatnings of his Enemies , but stood upon the credit of his Religion , and God , Neh . 6.11 . Shall such a man as I flee ? he that makes up breaches in times of great Apostacies shall find it to flesh and blood a discouraging work , he shall have his heart and hands full ; a backsliden people are not easily reformed ; he that endeavours to do it shall be reproached , stigmatized by reviling tongues , for a Persecutor and a bloody man , as ( Numb . 16.41 . 2 Sam . 16.7 , 8. ) Moses and David : if he punish sin it is cruelty , if he curbe in encroaching errors it is Tyranny , and he shall hear defaming on every side , and he had need therefore to be resolute .

7. He must be a man of a tender heart , one that is affected with every Token of Gods anger that discovers it self in his word and works : such a man was Iosiah , and God bestowed a blessing upon him for it , 2 Chron . 34.27 , because thy heart was tender , &c. when he heard the book of the Law read , and knew that wrath was out against Judah , it humbled him , and drove him to God : there is many times a stupid Spirit that regards not , takes no notice of the wrath of God , Isai . 42.25 . he set him on fire round about , yet he knew it not , it burned him , yet he laid it not to heart : such a Spirit will obstruct this work of healing the breaches of a people .

8. He must be a man of vigour and activity : one that will himself set about the work , and see to the effectual doing of it : it is not enough to enact Orders , or give them a civil Sanction , but care must be taken that they be put in Execution , else they are but a mock of Reformation , sin is not frighted away with words ; it is a great business to make up the breach , and therefore it requires a vigilant and diligent man to do it : one that will be up and doing .

9. He must be a man of a fervent Spirit of Prayer : the most of the work in making up the breach is to be done with God ; when he puts into the Gap , he must have a deep Interest in Gods love , how else shall he prevail to stay his hand , and stop his wrath , yea , all his wisdome , Counsel , Courage , Success , must first be gained in Heaven : he must be such a man as Moses & David were , men that could put in with God for the People : hence , when God intended good dayes for Jerusalem , he promiseth them watchmen that shall not hold their peace , or give him rest , till he establish , & make Jerusalem a praise in the Earth , Isai . 62.6 , 7. In a word , when all these qualifications do not meet in a man , he is not compleatly accomplished for this work : he may truly belong to God , & he may also do something , but he is not the man that God looks for , nor can he be truly called a Repairer of breaches .

5. When is it that God seeks for a man , and can find none ?

Answ . The phrase is an improper kind of Speech , uttered according to the manner of men , who seek in order to finding a thing : but God sees all things with one sight : but the intention of it is , to represent before us the patience of God , in delaying the full Execution of his wrath , and when Judgement hath , begun , he waits to see what those Preludia of sorrows will effect upon a people , and whither they will awaken men that are in Authority to set their shoulders to this work : Gods beginning lighter strokes upon a revolting people , are probationary , to see if there be any sparks of such a Spirit to be found in those that are Rulers , or whither there be an absolute security and sottishness fallen upon them : and when God doth this ; though he may see and find many mourners in Zion , and such as tremble at his word yet these do it in secret , they save their own Souls , but the breaches are not made up by them ; sin rules and reigns abroad notwithstanding , and meets no check nor restraint : In summe , when Rulers in Common-wealth and Church are not such men , there are none at all , it exceeds the advantage of men in a private Capacity to be so ; so that when these men are all , either degenerate , or discouraged from their work , and do not attend it sedulously , there is none to do this business , and we may be sure the Hedge will not grow up spontaneously , or of its own accord : an apostate people will not reform of themselves , but must be quickned and led to it , if therefore they are thus neglected , breaches will no doubt grow wider every day , and new breaches will be dayly made , by renewed provocations the Gap will be laid wide open , and any devouring plagues may come in .

6. For the clearing up the ground or reason of the Doctrine , we may take these Assertions .

1. That which God expects of a people whom he takes to be a vineyard of his own , is , that they should bring forth fruit to his glory . Isa . 43.21 . This people have I formed . [ i . e . agen moulded into a people , or Civil and Church polity ] for my self , they shall shew forth my praise . And Cap. 5.2 . He looked that his Vineyard should yield grapes . God expects a Covenant people should be an holy people ; he therefore when he had told Israel what he had done for them , also declares what it was that he expected from them . Deut . 7.11 , 8.12.10.12 .

2. When a People instead of bringing forth fruits of holiness , fructifie and abound in wickedness , they frustrate Gods just expectations : they are like a field , though sown with good grain , yet yields nothing but briars and thorns and thistles , like a garden plentifull only in weeds , though sown with herbs , like a Vineyard of wild sower grapes , what advantage hath the owner by such fruits ? It answers not his cost of fencing and 〈…〉 . See for this Isa . 5.3 .

3. Hence the Apostacy of a Covenant people must needs be a grievous provocation : if the husband-man had taken no pains , and laid out no cost upon his field , it were not much to find it fruitless , but for a fig-tree in a vineyard that is under fence and manuring , to be fruitless , this is matter of just displeasure , the husband-man past a deserved sentence , Luk . 13.7 . Cut it down , why cumbers it the ground . God speaks of such a thing as if he were amused at it , or could not tell what to make of such a thing as that , Jer . 2.21 . that a noble plant should so degenerate .

4. If now the Fence begin to tumble down , & spoilers to come upon them , if Judgments break in on all sides , it s a righteous dispensation , & their apostacy & wickedness made the breach meritoriously ; for God did it , & therefore because they had provoked him . Isa . 42.24 . Who gave Jacob for a spoil ? &c. The Lord against whom they have sinned : What man would be so imprudent to be at cost and care , to keep up the fence about , and manure a field , that yielded him no fruit or income ?

5. When God hath purpose of favour and good will to a declining people , though he do make Inrodes upon them , yet he raiseth up Instruments fitted and prepared for the making up of what is amiss , and standing between him and the people that he may not destroy them : thus we shall find , that when Sauls Apostacy had almost wasted Israel , he raised up David to be helpful to repair and restore them again : when Ahaz's wicked reign had corrupted , and near ruined the Kingdome of Judah , he gives him Hezekiah , that great Reformer , and eminent man in the Gap , for a successor : thus after Man●sseh and Ammon , succeeded godly and zealous Iosiah : and there is great Reason for this way , for the general Reformation of a corrupted people is a great work , and cannot ordinarily , be carryed on without the eminent zeal and forwardness of Leaders .

6. Hence when there are no such , it is a sign that there is no amendment like to be ; & what must the consequent of such a case be , but ruine and desolation . God discovers much of his own mind and purpose by this matter , and where he spirits none to the proper work of declining times , he may wait a while in patience , and procrastinate his wrath , but if there be no remedy , if there be none to heal the wound , what remains but amputation ? a hopeless people are cast in Law , they are plants that do but burden the Earth they grow on , and what are they fit for but burning ?

Use I. For Information of our Judgements in three Particulars .

1. That pious and zealous Rulers are a very great blessing . I know that the corruption of the hearts of men is licentious , and every lust desires to enjoy its liberty , and hence such as will indulge mens humors , are most pleasing , and will give best content to the carnal heart ; but this proceeds from mens ignorance and wickedness : such Rulers as these , are in a word of sober Truth , the only men ; they have a deep Interest in God , he owns their zeal , and the people shall fare the better for them ; and they are strongly set for the good of the people amongst whom they live ; they are indeed the alone men that seek the welfare of their Country : it is therefore a great wickedness for any to repine against , and a great duty to bless God for such : if there be any breach made , these are they that will be diligent to make it up ; if there be any Judgement coming , these be they that will adventure into the Gap , and shut it out , they are , under God , the happiness of a people ; and the want of them declares any people miserable , both Hiram , and the Queen of Sheba could see and did acknowledge that , that God therefore chose Solomon to be King , because he loved Israel , 2 Chron . 2.11 . 1 King . 10.9 .

2. That whatsoever may tend to the prevention or removal of the Judgements of God , is a part of the duty incumbent upon Rulers . All things that may tend to the making up of the Hedge , and stopping of the Gap , come properly under their cognizance : and hence it follows , that whatsoever sin is a provocation to God , and may be an occasion of wrath against a people , they both have Authority , and it lyes upon them in duty to suppress it : hence men deal injuriously , and act against themselves also , who would confine their Authority to matters only of the second Table ; unless we can say that Athiesme , Heresy , despising Gods Ordinances , cursing , swearing , abusing Gods blessed Name , and profanation of his holy Sabbaths , are no provoking sins , nor such as open a dore to let in the anger of God ; against which the whole current of Scripture doth plentifully bear witness : or shall we be so foolish as to think , that when God hath set up all orders of men for his own glory , and hath in particular appointed Rulers to rule for God that they not only may , but ought to be regardless of those things which do more immediately concern this glory of his ? or shall we think that if they let Judgment come at these breaches , and put not forth their authority to stop them , they shall not be charged for the neglect of a duty necessary for the peace and prosperity of their people ?

3. That the death of such men , who when they lived were diligent in such a work as this , viz. to make up the breach , and stand in the Gap , especially at such a time when there is much of this work to doe , is matter of deep humbling and lamentation . The loss of one such man , in a time wherein iniquity doth abound , may be so sadly circumstanced , as that it may be the occasion of the ruine and desolation of a people : Sad changes many times are the product of such a providence , what was it that occasioned this doleful condition of Judah mentioned in our text ? why , good Josiah was gone , that great stickler for God , and mender of Jerusalems hedge : the people were bad enough in his time , but he supprest open wickedness destroyed idolatry , maintained & enlarged Religion , & it was well with Judah in his dayes . But when once he was removed out of the way , though they still had a King , Zedekiah , yet he did nothing in the gap , except it were to make it wider : wickedness and profaness might sit in the gate , & ride in the streets unpunished ; now Desolation comes . Godly and zealous Rulers are Pillars , they hold up the earths foundations that it doth not fall . Psal . 75 , 3. One such man then ought not to dye without the tears of all Israel : there were bitter Lamentations made for Josiah when he was dead , as we shall find , 2. Chron . 35.24.25 . And there was good reason for it , for when he dyed good dayes died with him ; when his Sun sat , the Sun of Judahs prosperity sat too ; he goes out of the gap into his grave , and the Boar of the wilderness presently breaks in , and layes waste the vineyard of Gods own planting : they were dismal dayes that followed that eclipse . I know there are times when a child may lead a people , whiles piety is prevalent among them , and the fear of God lyes upon them : But when wickedness is exalted , and sin gets head , when mens corruptions grow powerfull , he must be a man indeed , one of a thousand , singularly spirited by God , that is able to manage affairs for Gods glory , and a peoples Tranquility , and therefore when such men dye , that loss is not easily repaired : it is breach upon breach . For sin to break in , and zealous opposers of sin and suppressors of iniquity to be taken out of the way ; God is then angry indeed , and to lament the loss of such , is but to lament our own loss .

Use II . For Exhortation , in several particulars .

1. It ma● call us into the dust and mourning at remembrance or consideration of the displeasure of God which is out against us upon this account , in the loss of so many , and at such a juncture of time , that might have been truly styled men that stood in the Gap . The present solemn stroke of divine displeasure in the death or that honourable Personage , whom I lament , not only for private respects ( which claim it ) but as he was a man publickly both great and good , pointed me to this present discourse , and the thoughts of it bring to mind reiterated strokes of the same nature so lately inflicted ; & indeed the voice of providence is loud , the Lord God hath spoken , who can but prophesie : and I would endeavour ( God helping ) to put you into true mourning , let me therefore entreat you to put on these considerations .

1. Who they were whom we have lost : I know it is one part of the infelicity of divided times , that few men dye universally lamented , how useful soever they have been in their Generations ? because of prejudices which are the natural fruits of such seasons : but if prejudice may be commanded to hold its tongue , and Truth may be admitted to speak , and due allowance of Charity granted to men labouring in their clay Tabernacle with a body of death , which the best of men have alwayes needed to cloak their imperfections , ( and a David without it , would have past an harsh censure ) they were men of singular worth & eminency : what shall I say more ? they were men ready to set their hands to repair our Hedge , and hazard themselves to stand in the Gap : men willing to sacrifice their lives for the publick weal and safety of this people ; men pretious in the sight of God , and deserving to be registred in the Rolls , and sounded by the Trumpet of Fame , & for whom was prepared an Immortal , & never fading Crown of glory .

2. The season when they were taken away , good or evil are much aggravated by the time in which they happen : when good men are taken away in an evil day it doubles the misery , and such is the present case , it is a time wherein there was never more need of them : God accomplisheth his works in the world ordinarily by Instruments ; and if they are removed , must not the work lye undone ? it is a time in which many evils are broken in upon us , when Judgements are making their Inrodes with violence : how many sore breaches are there to be seen in our Hedge ? what great desolation hath the Sword made among us ? this hath been a sad Inundation : how low hath the sickness brought us ? what a breach hath been made upon our quiet by the secret plots and contrivances of Enemies abroad against us ? heart divisions among us are rents exposing us , not a little to be made a prey to others : errors and heresies have made a great Gap , and what miseryes may come in at that Gap , we have reason to dread : wantonness , pride , and profaneness have gained a general liking , and how broke they in , but at some great hole in the wall ? here was a great work to do , to repair all these breaches , and now that such as should have done it , are so many of them removed , this should be for a lamentation .