because he could not but feel the difference between the mighty music
that burst from these pure and burning lips and the words that flowed
from and soiled his own. Not only the consciousness of sin, but the
dread of personal evil consequences from the vision of the holy God,
oppressed his heart. We see ourselves when we see God. Once flash on a
heart the thought of God's holiness, and, like an electric search-
light, it discloses flaws which pass unnoticed in dimmer light. The
easy-going Christianity, which is the apology for religion with so many
of us, has no deep sense of sin, because it has no clear vision of God.
'I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth
Thee: wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.'

The next stage in Isaiah's experience is that sin recognised and
confessed is burned away. Cleansing rather than forgiveness is here
emphasised. The latter is, of course, included, but the main point is
the removal of impurity. It is mediated by one of the seraphim, who is
the messenger of God, which is just a symbolical way of saying that God
makes penitents 'partakers of His holiness,' and that nothing less than
a divine communication will make cleansing possible. It is effected by a
live coal. Fire is purifying, and the New Testament has taught us that
the true cleansing fire is that of the Holy Spirit. But that live coal
was taken from the altar. The atoning sacrifice has been offered there,
and our cleansing depends on the efficacy of that sacrifice being
applied to us.

The third stage in the prophet's experience is the readiness for service
which springs up in his purged heart. God seeks for volunteers. There
are no pressed men in His army. The previous experiences made Isaiah
quick to hear God's call, and willing to respond to it by personal
consecration. Take the motive-power of redemption from sin out of