Chapter V.—At the Recommendation
of Ambrose, He Reads the Prophecies of Isaiah, But Does Not
Understand Them.
13. The vintage vacation being ended, I gave
the citizens of Milan notice that they might provide their scholars
with another seller of words; because both of my election to serve
Thee, and my inability, by reason of the difficulty of breathing
and the pain in my chest, to continue the Professorship. And by
letters I notified to Thy bishop, the holy man Ambrose, my former
errors and present resolutions, with a view to his advising me
which of Thy books it was best for me to read, so that I might be
readier and fitter for the reception of such great grace. He
recommended Isaiah the Prophet; I believe, because he foreshows
more clearly than others the gospel, and the calling of the
Gentiles. But I, not understanding the first portion of the book, and imagining the whole to be like it, laid it aside, intending to take it up hereafter, when better practised in our Lord’s words.