The Prophet useth a noun and verb derived from one root, and the meeting together of the words hath elegance: as if we should say, I have witnessed my self with witnesses. Now because this matter was of great importance, he took witnesses with him, as men were wont to do in things of consequence. He calls them faithful; that is to say, true and meet: and yet notwithstanding one of them was a cursed and wicked apostate, who to flatter the King,1 built an Altar like unto that at Damascus; and openly consented to an horrible impiety and abomination. I know there are others who are indeed of a contrary opinion: but if we consider the circumstance of the time well, we shall find it to be even that same Uriah, who like a trencher-chaplain, conformed himself to the ungodly humour of the King; as the holy history witnesseth. Whereas they think it was some other, because Isaiah calleth him faithful: it is too weak a reason; for the Prophet did not so much look to the man, as to the office which he exercised; in regard whereof, he was sufficient to be a witness in this case. He meant not to say then, that Uriah was a good man; but that his person was not to be rejected, in regard of the authority of his office; but was in respect thereof, a witness free from all exception; as they say. Moreover, I think this prophecy was fixed to the doors of the Temple, in the presence of Uriah and Zechariah, who were taken to be witnesses to it. For he speaks of no vision, but of a commandment of God, which he indeed did and performed: to the end these words might be as a common proverb in the mouths of all the people.
THe Prophet vseth a noune and verbe deriued from one roote, and the meeting together of the words hath elegancie: as if we should say, I haue witnessed my selfe with witnesses. Now because this matter was of great importance, he tooke witnesses with him, as men were wont to doe in things of consequence. Hee calles them faithfull; that is to say, true and meete: and yet notwithstanding one of them was a cursed and wicked apostata, who to flatter the King,1 built an Altar like vnto that at Damascus; and openly consented to an horrible impietie and abomination. I know there are others who are indeed of a contrarie opinion: but if wee consider the circumstance of the time well, we shall finde it to be euen that same Vriah, who like a trencher-chaplaine, conformed himselfe to the vngodly humour of the King; as the holy historie witnesseth. Whereas they thinke it was some other, because Isaiah calleth him faithfull: it is too weake a reason; for the Prophet did not so much looke to the man, as to the office which he exercised; in regard whereof, hee was sufficient to be a witnesse in this case. He meant not to say then, that Vriah was a good man; but that his person was not to be reiected, in regard of the authoritie of his office; but was in respect thereof, a witnes free from all exception; as they say. Moreouer, I thinke this prophecie was fixed to the doores of the Temple, in the presence of Ʋriah and Zechariah, who were taken to be witnesses to it. For hee speakes of no vision, but of a commandement of God, which hee indeed did and performed: to the end these words might be as a common prouerbe in the mouthes of all the people.
- 12. Kin. 16.11
