Isaiah 57:17-18

Isaiah 57:17-18. For the iniquity of his covetousness— In order to reclaim a wandering and carnal people, we are here told that God had applied the rod of his chastising judgments, which yet however had produced no good effect, for that the people had still turned backward from God, and departed more and more from him: so that now they were either to be wholly forsaken and given up to the severity of judgment, or to be succoured by the offers of extraordinary grace; and the latter is that which God in great mercy chooses. The mourners here spoken of, mean those true believers, who lamented the scandals and offences of the church in their times, under which they grievously suffered; such as the Waldenses, the Lollards, &c.