"And it shall come to pass, that he that is left in Zion, and he that remaineth in Jerusalem, shall be called holy, even every one that is written among the living in Jerusalem." (Isaiah 4:3)
How truly blessed and gracious is it, to see the provision the LORD hath made for the recovery of sinners. Here the HOLY GHOST speaks not only of the blessings of redemption to the church at large, but to every individual redeemed soul in particular. He that is left, and every one that is written. Yes, JESUS saith, All that the FATHER hath given me, shall come to me, John 6:37. And it was for this express purpose JESUS said, that the FATHER gave him power over all flesh; that he should give eternal life to as many as the FATHER had given him, John 17:2. Reader, are you questioning whether you are among the written in the LAMB'S book of life? Revelation 13:8. Answer the inquiry by the tokens here given. A new and spiritual life is given to them in Jerusalem, the holy city, the church of the LORD JESUS. They are called with an holy calling, not according to their works, but according to his own purpose, and grace given in CHRIST JESUS, before the world began, 2 Timothy 1:9. And as many as were. ordained to eternal life, believed, Acts 13:48. Now then see by these infallible testimonies, whether your calling and election is sure, For as many as are led by the spirit of GOD, they are the sons of GOD: And hence, in being saved and called with an holy calling, not according to our works, but his grace; and in believing, having life in his name: surely these become unquestionable evidences, that God hath chosen believers in him before the foundation of the world, and that they should he holy and without blame before him in love, 2 Peter 1:10. Romans 8:14. Ephesians 1:4.
"When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning." (Isaiah 4:4)
Here we have the blessed process of grace, by which the LORD will accomplish the divine purposes of his love, in redeeming the souls of his people. The daughters of Zion are here spoken of, as a representation of the whole church of JESUS. So the church is named, Psalm 45:10, 11. This church is considered in her pollutions, such as she was when CHRIST came to redeem her, Ezekiel 16:3-6. But when, in gospel days, JESUS is come, and the fountain in his blood is opened to the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin, and for uncleanness, then the filth of Zion shall be washed away, Zechariah 13:1. 1 John 1:1-7. But how is this to be done? By the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning; meaning, that GOD the HOLY GHOST, in his seven-fold gifts, and by his gracious work on the heart, will glorify JESUS, in taking of the things of CHRIST, and showing their suitableness to the poor sinner. Is the sinner's heart hardened? The HOLY GHOST will be to him a spirit of judgment; convincing, converting, enlightening, teaching him to feel his want of JESUS, and leading him to JESUS. Are his affections cold, and in himself not disposed to seek after salvation? The HOLY GHOST will be to him a spirit of burning; to warm, yea, fire his very soul, in longings for CHRIST, that his sins may be done away, and both his filth and his blood be purged, and purified from all uncleanness. Oh! the wonderful process of grace, when GOD the HOLY GHOST layeth judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, Isaiah 28:17.
"When the Lord shall have washed away the filth of the daughters of Zion, and shall have purged the blood of Jerusalem from the midst thereof by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning." (Isaiah 4:4)
Here we have the blessed process of grace, by which the LORD will accomplish the divine purposes of his love, in redeeming the souls of his people. The daughters of Zion are here spoken of, as a representation of the whole church of JESUS. So the church is named, Psalm 45:10, 11. This church is considered in her pollutions, such as she was when CHRIST came to redeem her, Ezekiel 16:3-6. But when, in gospel days, JESUS is come, and the fountain in his blood is opened to the house of David, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, for sin, and for uncleanness, then the filth of Zion shall be washed away, Zechariah 13:1. 1 John 1:1-7. But how is this to be done? By the spirit of judgment, and the spirit of burning; meaning, that GOD the HOLY GHOST, in his seven-fold gifts, and by his gracious work on the heart, will glorify JESUS, in taking of the things of CHRIST, and showing their suitableness to the poor sinner. Is the sinner's heart hardened? The HOLY GHOST will be to him a spirit of judgment; convincing, converting, enlightening, teaching him to feel his want of JESUS, and leading him to JESUS. Are his affections cold, and in himself not disposed to seek after salvation? The HOLY GHOST will be to him a spirit of burning; to warm, yea, fire his very soul, in longings for CHRIST, that his sins may be done away, and both his filth and his blood be purged, and purified from all uncleanness. Oh! the wonderful process of grace, when GOD the HOLY GHOST layeth judgment to the line, and righteousness to the plummet, Isaiah 28:17.
