A17641:14
Commentaries of the divine John Calvin, upon the prophet Daniel, translated into English, especially…Commentaries of the diuine Iohn Caluine, vpon the prophet Daniell, translated into Englishe, especially…
Commentaries of the divine John Calvin, upon the prophet Daniel, translated into English, especially for the use of the family of the right honourable Earle of Huntingdon, to set forth as in a glass, how one may profitably read the Scriptures, by considering the text, meditating the sense thereof, and by prayerCommentaries of the diuine Iohn Caluine, vpon the prophet Daniell, translated into Englishe, especially for the vse of the family of the ryght honorable Earle of Huntingdon, to set forth as in a glasse, how one may profitably read the Scriptures, by consideryng the text, meditatyng the sense therof, and by prayer
London: printed by John Daye, 1570London: printed by Iohn Daye, 1570
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
There doth follow a cruel and more fearful combat, with a notable example of an incredible and marvellous constancy, whiles that the companions of Daniel are not moved with ⟨image 4⟩cruel threatenings to pollute them selves with the worship of the image, & at the length are ready to defend the pure worship of GOD, not only by their own blood, but also by the suffering of most horrible torments. As for the goodness of God that shineth forth in the end of this tragedy, it is very profitable to arm us with an invincible faith and constancy.
There doth folow a cruell and more fearefull cōbate, with a notable example of an incredible and meruelous constancy, whiles that the companions of Daniell are not moued with ⟨image 4⟩cruell threatnynges to pollute them selues with the worshyp of the image, & at the length are ready to defēd the pure worshyp of GOD, not onely by their owne bloud, but also by the sufferyng of most horrible tormentes. As for the goodnes of God that shyneth forth in the end of this tragedy, it is very profitable to arme vs with an inuincible fayth and constancy.
After this there doth follow the like battle and victory of Daniel him self, whiles that he had rather to be cast to the raging Lyons, then to abstain but three days from an open profession of his faith, lest by deceitful dissimulation he might prostitute the holy name of God, to the derision of the wicked: and he being delivered forth of the den, as it were drawn forth of the grave most miraculously, triumpheth over Satan and his confederates. Hear come not forth any Philosophers, which can dispute subtly and cunningly of virtues in their studies when they are quiet: but here have we the infatigable constancy of holy men in the exercise of true holiness, to stir us up with open cry to follow them. Wherefore unless we be altogether uncapable of doctrine, we must learn of those Schoolmasters, diligently to take heed, whether that Satan lay his baits of flattery, that we be not snared therewith: or if that he assail us with violence, that we may repulse and break his assaults with a bold contempt of death and all dangers. If any man will make excuse, that the examples of both these deliverances that we have named, are rare: I do grant that God doth not always stretch forth his hand from the heavens, to save his in like sort, but (which is sufficient for us) he hath hereby testified that he will be the faithful guerdon and keeper of our life so oft as it shall be in any danger, and that we are not exposed to the lusts of the wicked, but that God can assuage their fury and outrageous enterprises when he seeth it good. But we may not only look upon the end and success, but we must behold how boldly & courageously these holy men have offered them selves to death for the defence of Gods glory, neither doth their prompt and ready minds in offering them selves as sacrifices, deserve less praise because they were delivered.