Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

Some refer the word waters to the doctrine of the Gospel, others to the holy Ghost: but both (as I think) are deceived. For those that understand it of the doctrine of the Gospel which they oppose to the Law (whereof the Jews suppose the Prophet speaks in this place) do only comprehend one part of that which Isaiah meant to say. For the others, who refer it to the holy Ghost, they have a little more colour, and they allege that place of S. John: If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it were that saith unto thee, Give me drink, thou wouldst have asked of him, and he would have given thee waters of life, John 4.10. And a little after, it seems that Christ expounds this text of the Prophet, when he saith, Whosoever shall drink of this water shall thirst again; but, he that drinks of the water that I shall give him shall never be more athirst; but the water that I shall give him, shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life, vers. 13.14. Yet I doubt not but Isaiah under these words waters, milk, wine, and bread, here comprehends whatsoever is necessary to the spiritual life: for they are similitudes taken from that ordinary food wherewith we are daily sustained. Look then how we are nourished with bread, wine, milk, and water, so also let us know that our souls are fed and sustained with the doctrine of the Gospel, with the holy Ghost, and with the other gifts of Christ.

Some referre the word vvaters to the doctrine of ye Gospell, others to the holy Ghost: but both (as I thinke) are deceiued. For those that vnderstand it of the doctrine of the Gospell which they oppose to the Law (whereof the Iewes suppose the Prophet speakes in this place) do only comprehend one part of that which Isaiah meant to say. For the others, who referre it to the holy Ghost, they haue a little more colour, and they alleage that place of S. Iohn: If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it were that saith vnto thee, Giue me drinke, thou wouldst haue asked of him, and hee would haue giuen thee vvaters of life, Iohn 4.10. And a little after, it seemes that Christ expounds this text of the Prophet, when he saith, Whosoeuer shall drinke of this vvater shall thirst againe; but, he that drinks of the vvater that I shall giue him shall neuer be more athirst; but the vvater that I shall giue him, shall be in him a vvell of vvater springing vp into euerlasting life, vers. 13.14. Yet I doubt not but Isaiah vnder these words vvaters, milke, vvine, and bread, heere comprehends whatsoeuer is necessarie to the spirituall life: for they are similitudes taken from that ordinarie foode wherewith wee are dayly susteined. Looke then how we are nourished with bread, wine, milke, and water, so also let vs know that our soules are fed and susteined with the doctrine of the Gospell, with the holy Ghost, and with the other gifts of Christ.