I cannot think Pskb becheseph, WITH silver, is the true reading. Pskk kecheseph, LIKE silver, as the Vulgate evidently read it, I suppose to have been the original reading, though no MS. yet found supports this word; the similarity of the two letters, b beth and k caph, might have easily led to the mistake in the first instance; and it has been but too faithfully copied ever since. rwk cur, which we translate furnace, should be rendered crucible, the vessel in which the silver is melted. The meaning of the verse seems to be this: I have purified you, but not as silver is purified; for when it is purified, no dross of any kind is left behind. Had I done this with you, I should have consumed you altogether; but I have put you in the crucible of affliction, in captivity, that you may acknowledge your sins, and turn unto me.

Is. 48:1-8 The Jews valued themselves on descent from Jacob, and use the name of Jehovah as their God. They prided themselves respectin Jerusalem and the temple, yet there was no holiness in their lives. I we are not sincere in religion, we do but take the name of the Lord in vain. By prophecy they were shown how God would deal with them, lon before it came to pass. God has said and done enough to prevent men' boasting of themselves, which makes the sin and ruin of the prou worse; sooner or later every mouth shall be stopped, and all becom silent before Him. We are all born children of disobedience. Wher original sin is, actual sin will follow. Does not the conscience of every man witness to the truth of Scripture? May the Lord prove us, an render us doers of the word.

Is. 48:9-15 We have nothing ourselves to plead with God, why he shoul have mercy upon us. It is for his praise, to the honour of his mercy to spare. His bringing men into trouble was to do them good. It was to refine them, but not as silver; not so thoroughly as men refine silver If God should take that course, they are all dross, and, as such, migh justly be put away. He takes them as refined in part only. Many have been brought home to God as chosen vessels, and a good work of grac begun in them, in the furnace of affliction. It is comfort to God' people, that God will secure his own honour, therefore work deliveranc for them. And if God delivers his people, he cannot be at a loss for instruments to be employed. God has formed a plan, in which, for his own sake, and the glory of his grace, he saves all that come to Him.

Is. 48:16-22 The Holy Spirit qualifies for service; and those may spea boldly, whom God and his Spirit send. This is to be applied to Christ He was sent, and he had the Spirit without measure. Whom God redeems he teaches; he teaches to profit by affliction, and then makes the partakers of his holiness. Also, by his grace he leads them in the way of duty; and by his providence he leads in the way of deliverance. God did not afflict them willingly. If their sins had not turned them away their peace should have been always flowing and abundant. Spiritual enjoyments are ever joined with holiness of life and regard to God' will. It will make the misery of the disobedient the more painful, to think how happy they might have been. And here is assurance given of salvation out of captivity. Those whom God designs to bring home to himself, he will take care of, that they want not for their journey This is applicable to the grace laid up for us in Jesus Christ, from whom all good flows to us, as the water to Israel out of the rock, for that Rock was Christ. The spiritual blessings of redemption, and the rescue of the church from antichristian tyranny, are here pointed to But whatever changes take place, the Lord warned impenitent sinner that no good would come to them; that inward anguish and outwar trouble, which spring from guilt and from the Divine wrath, must be their portion for ever __________________________________________________________________

Original Hebrew