Robert Traill (Stedfast Adherence to the Profession of our Faith), Works 3:223:
“I am a vile sinful creature.” What then? We are called to come to a fountain that is opened for sin and for uncleanness, if I may so speak. Come in filthy, and go out clean: Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool, Isa. 1:18. What reason has God to argue thus with poor sinners? That he should reason thus with unreasonable sinners? That he should freely offer his pardoning mercy to those that are altogether undeserving of it? As if God should say, I know all that you can speak must only be from your sins; I know them better than you do. Come, hearken to me; take my counsel. Your sins shall be no hindrance; they shall be removed quickly.
“I am a vile sinful creature.” What then? We are called to come to a fountain that is opened for sin and for uncleanness, if I may so speak. Come in filthy, and go out clean: Come now and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool, Isa. 1:18. What reason has God to argue thus with poor sinners? That he should reason thus with unreasonable sinners? That he should freely offer his pardoning mercy to those that are altogether undeserving of it? As if God should say, I know all that you can speak must only be from your sins; I know them better than you do. Come, hearken to me; take my counsel. Your sins shall be no hindrance; they shall be removed quickly.
