October 21

"Come now, and let us reason together, with the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." — Isa. 1. 18.

THE most encouraging promises and invitations are beautifully blended with the predictions of the prophets. These delightful expressions, that were so eminently calculated to inspire the ancient Israelites with the liveliest emotions of joy, form the source of our consolation and the ground of our hope. This chapter commences with a gloomy account of human depravity; but ere it concludes, we have a bright prospect of Divine mercy. These words lead us to remark, that

OUR STATE IS ONE OF DISTANCE FROM GOD. Therefore the Almighty says, "Come." How early is our alienation from God manifested! Who can doubt this fact? Heathens acknowledged it. Plato said, no man is born without sin; Cicero and other heathen philosophers have expressed themselves in a similar way. Revelation asserts it, reason confirms it, experience testifies it, redemption illustrates it, the believer confesses and laments it too.

OUR SINS ARE OF AN AGGRAVATED NATURE. "As scarlet, and red like crimson." Twice dyed, original and actual transgressions. Six crimes are mentioned in the preceding verses; ingratitude, ignorance, thoughtlessness, apostasy, defilement, and hypocrisy.

GRACE EFFECTS A CHANGE. This change is wonderful in its nature; it is called a new creation; there is in conversion a re-impression of the Divine image on the soul. It is extensive in its latitude; it does not consist in a mere alteration of our views and opinions, but in the renovation of the heart, and the illumination of the mind; it extends to all the faculties of the soul. It is visible in its effects; these are external, though the seat of the change is within.

RELIGION HAS REASON ON ITS SIDE. The believer can give a good reason for his attachment to God, but the ungodly cannot for their love to the world. God condescends to reason with us! How unreasonable and unrighteous is it, then, for us to despise and reject him!

GOD IS WILLING TO PARDON. The whole passage clearly discovers this. Oh! what amazing condescension for the Al-

1 mighty to deign to reason with us! His invitations, expostulations, arguments, and promises, show that every thing is propitious, all things are ready, and that he is waiting to be gracious.