Peace to him that is far off "That is, to the penitent; and to him that is near, i.e., the righteous." -Kimchi.

Is. 57:1,2 The righteous are delivered from the sting of death, no from the stroke of it. The careless world disregards this. Few lamen it as a public loss, and very few notice it as a public warning. The are taken away in compassion, that they may not see the evil, nor shar in it, nor be tempted by it. The righteous man, when he dies, enter into peace and rest.

Is. 57:3-12 The Lord here calls apostates and hypocrites to appea before him. When reproved for their sins, and threatened with judgments, they ridiculed the word of God. The Jews were guilty of idolatry before the captivity; but not after that affliction. Their zeal in the worship of false gods, may shame our indifference in the worship of the true God. The service of sin is disgraceful slavery those who thus debase themselves to hell, will justly have their portion there. Men incline to a religion that inflames their unhol passions. They are led to do any evil, however great or vile, if the think it will atone for crimes, or purchase indulgence for some favourite lust. This explains idolatry, whether pagan, Jewish, or antichristian. But those who set up anything instead of God, for their hope and confidence, never will come to a right end. Those who forsak the only right way, wander in a thousand by-paths. The pleasures of sin soon tire, but never satisfy. Those who care not for the word of God and his providences, show they have no fear of God. Sin profits not; i ruins and destroys.

Is. 57:13-21 The idols and their worshippers shall come to nothing; but those who trust in God's grace, shall be brought to the joys of heaven With the Lord there is neither beginning of days, nor end of life, no change of time. His name is holy, and all must know him as a holy God He will have tender regard to those who bring their mind to their condition, and dread his wrath. He will make his abode with those whose hearts he has thus humbled, in order to revive and comfort them. When troubles last long, even good men are tempted to entertain har thoughts of God. Therefore He will not contend for ever, for he wil not forsake the work of his own hands, nor defeat the purchase of his Son's blood. Covetousness is a sin that particularly lays men under the Divine displeasure. See the sinfulness of sin. See also that trouble cannot reform men unless God's grace work in them. Peace shall be published, perfect peace. It is the fruit of preaching lips, an praying lips. Christ came and preached peace to Gentiles, as well as to the Jews; to after-ages, who were afar off in time, as well as to thos of that age. But the wicked would not be healed by God's grace therefore would not be healed by his comforts. Their ungoverned lust and passions made them like the troubled sea. Also the terrors of conscience disturbed their enjoyments. God hath said it, and all the world cannot unsay it, That there is no peace to those who allo themselves in any sin. If we are recovered from such an awful state, it is only by the grace of God. And the influences of the Holy Spirit, an that new heart, from whence comes grateful praise, the fruit of ou lips, are his gift. Salvation, with all its fruits, hopes, an comforts, is his work, and to him belongs all the glory. There is n peace for the wicked man; but let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; and let him return to the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him, and to our God, and he will abundantl pardon __________________________________________________________________

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