Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Others take this word spirit, for the regenerate part: and thus by the soul, they understand the natural man; and by the spirit, the grace of God, which is supernatural. But this cannot stand: for the natural man never seeks unto God; yea, and we know by experience what strife we have in our selves when we aspire unto God; as also with what great difficulty we wind our selves out of this repugnancy. This interpretation then needs no long refutation, seeing it manifestly crosseth the very text of holy Scripture. Moreover, it sufficiently appears by many places, that these words, Spirit and Soul, import as much as understanding and heart.

Others take this word spirit, for the regenerate part: and thus by the soule, they vnderstand the naturall man; and by the spirit, the grace of God, which is supernaturall. But this cannot stand: for the naturall man neuer seekes vnto God; yea, and we know by experience what strife wee haue in our selues when we aspire vnto God; as also with what great difficulty we wind our selues out of this repugnancie. This interpretation then needs no long refutation, seeing it manifestly crosseth the very text of holy Scripture. Moreouer, it sufficiently appeares by many places, that these words, Spirit and Soule, import as much as vnderstanding and heart.

By night, the holy Ghost often means adversities; which are compared unto darkness: and obscurity. But in this place I expound it a little otherwise:¹ as if the Prophet should say; There is no time so unfitting and inconvenient, which I take not to call upon thee, and to seek unto thee. This exposition differs ⟨p. 251⟩not much from the first, yet it is somewhat more general: for the night seems to be ordained for rest, in which all the desires and travels of men cease;² so as there is little difference between sleep and death. But when it was time to take rest and to be quiet, then the Prophet saith, he awaked to seek GOD, so as no occasion could hinder him from it.