All these verses fold up in their contents the two great leading points of the gospel doctrine, namely, human depravity, and divine benignity. In the forbearance of God, and the continued provocations of man, the language of the prophet meets us in all directions, and cries aloud, in all that is going on in life, Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? But Reader! do not overlook the cause. The Prophet that thus speaks had it in commission from the Holy Ghost to assign the reason; for he adds, that it was to perform the truth to Jacob, and the mercy to Abraham. Yes, blessed Jesus! thou art the mercy promised. And it was in thee, and thy promised salvation, Jehovah manifested his pardoning love and mercy to Israel. Reader! I charge it upon you to read that most precious and interesting account of this love, which the Prophet gives. Isaiah 63:7, to the end.
Judges 2:17-23
17 And yet they would not hearken unto their judges, but they went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them: they turned quickly out of the way which their fathers walked in, obeying the commandments of the LORD; but they did not so.
18 And when the LORD raised them up judges, then the LORD was with the judge, and delivered them out of the hand of their enemies all the days of the judge: for it repented the LORD because of their groanings by reason of them that oppressed them and vexed them.
19 And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corruptede themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.
20 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel; and he said, Because that this people hath transgressed my covenant which I commanded their fathers, and have not hearkened unto my voice;
21 I also will not henceforth drive out any from before them of the nations which Joshua left when he died:
22 That through them I may prove Israel, whether they will keep the way of the LORD to walk therein, as their fathers did keep it, or not.
23 Therefore the LORD leftf those nations, without driving them out hastily; neither delivered he them into the hand of Joshua.