Commentary upon the Prophecy of Isaiah

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.