of reformation is also a spirit of burning; even as the Holy
Ghost is elsewhere called fire (Matt. iii. 11), and did come down upon the
apostles in the likeness of cloven tongues of fire (Acts ii. 3). The
spirit of reformation may be the rather called the spirit of burning,
because ordinarily reformation is not without tribulation (as we shall
hear) and by the voice of the rod doth the Spirit speak to men's
consciences. When the Lord hath thus washed away the filthy spots, and
burnt away the filthy dross of his church, then (Isa. iv. 5) she becomes a
glory or a praise in the earth; and the promise is, that "upon all the
glory shall be a defence:" but, you see, she is not brought to that
condition till she go through the refiner's fire. It is no easy matter to
cast Satan out of a person,--how much less to cast his kingdom out of a
land? Another place for the same purpose we find, Zech. xiii. 9: When two
parts of the land are cut off, the remnant which escape, the third part
which is "written to life in Jerusalem," even they must be brought through
the fire. "I will bring the third part through the fire (saith the Lord),
and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is
tried." This is the fiery trial of affliction, but the fruit of it is a
blessed reformation, to make the church as most pure refined gold: "They
shall call on my name, and I will hear them;" that is, they shall no
longer worship idols, but me only, and they shall offer to the Lord an
offering in righteousness, which shall be accepted. And what more? "I will
say It is my people; and they shall say, The Lord is my God." Behold, a
reforming people and a covenanting people. But he that hath his fire in
Zion, and his furnace in Jerusalem (Isa. xxxi. 9), doth first refine them
and purify them. We are not reformed, in God's account, till the refining
fire have purged away our dross; till we be refined as silver is refined,
and tried as gold is tried.

Lastly, In reference to a people not reformed, hear what the Prophet
saith: Jer. vi. 28-30, "They are brass and iron; they are all corrupters.
The bellows are burnt, the lead is consumed of the fire, the founder
melteth in vain; for the wicked are not plucked away. Reprobate silver
shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them." The Chaldee
Paraphrase expoundeth it of the prophets who laboured in vain, and spent
their strength for nought, speaking to the people in the name of the Lord