Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

HE goes on with the argument begun from the beginning of the former Chapter: for he sets out the miserable and poor estate into which the Jews should be brought being in Babylon, till God having compassion upon them, should at the last assist and help them. Thus he advertiseth them to prepare ⟨p. 426⟩themselves for the enduring of extreme poverty, when he tells them of thirst: for we know there is nothing more tedious to be borne, then the want of water when one is thirsty. This therefore was a very apt kind of speech to express the greatness of their calamity.

HE goes on with the argument begun frō the beginning of the former Chapter: for he sets out the miserable and poore estate into which the Iewes should be brought being in Babylon, till God hauing compassion vpon them, should at the last assist and help them. Thus he aduertiseth them to prepare ⟨p. 426⟩themselues for the induring of extreame pouertie, when he telles them of thirst: for wee know there is nothing more tedious to bee borne, then the vvant of vvater when one is thirstie. This therefore was a very apt kind of speech to expresse the greatnesse of their calamitie.

But the Prophet affirms that God vvill aid them, even at the very pinch: and thus we may see to whom this promise belongs, namely, to such as being in extremity, patch away, and faint with thirst. Hence also we may note, that the Church flows not always in abundance of outward things,¹ but is sometimes brought to penury and want, that by such goads in her sides, she might be stirred up to call upon God; for we are wont to wax idle when things fall out as we would have them. It is good therefore to be exercised with hunger and thirst, that we may learn to seek the Lord with our whole hearts. In a word, it is very needful we should be pressed with poverty, that so we may the better taste the Lords bounty.