Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Vers. 17. Like as a woman with child, that draweth near to the travail, is in sorrow, and crieth in her pains, so have we been in thy sight, O Lord. 18. We have conceived, we have borne in pain, as though we should have brought forth wind: there was no help in the earth; neither did the inhabitants of the world fall.

Vers. 17. Like as a woman with child, that draweth neere to the trauaile, is in sorrow, and crieth in her paines, so haue wee been in thy sight, O Lord. 18. Wee haue conceiued, wee haue borne in paine, as though wee should haue brought forth winde: there was no helpe in the earth; neither did the inhabitants of the world fall.

Two things are to be noted here principally. §1First, he compares the faithful to women in travail; wherein their pains are unspeakable, as it is well enough known. The afflictions of the faithful therefore, he saith, causeth them to cast forth very bitter and loud cries. Whence we gather, that the Prophet speaks not here only of that sorrow which proceeds from the suffering of outward griefs and discommodities; but rather respects those horrible vexations which sharply wound, and with incredible vehemency assails the hearts and spirits of the godly,¹ when they feel that God is angry with them, their consciences also checking them. No bodily pain therefore may be compared with the grief of the Spirit, which is most lively expressed by the particle before thee.

TWo things are to be noted here principally. §1First, he compares the faithfull to women in trauaile; wherein their paines are vnspeakeable, as it is well enough knowne. The afflictions of the faithfull therefore, he saith, causeth them to cast forth verie bitter and loud cries. Whence we gather, that the Prophet speakes not here onely of that sorrow which proceedes from the suffering of outward griefes and discommodities; but rather respects those horrible vexations which sharpely wound, and with incredible vehemencie assailes the hearts and spirits of the godlie,