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…

Wherefore seeing the Chaldees grudged at this, their malice & envy moved them to give the king this counsel. For else how cometh it to pass that they so suddenly perceive that the Jews, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego do no worship nor reverence to the Image: Surely it appeareth that they did as it were lye in wait to espy what the Jews would do, and thereby may we gather that they imagined this crafty accusation at the first when as they counselled the king to make this Image. And that with clamour and tumult they do accuse the Jews, hereby do we perceive that their minds were full of envy and hatred. It might be said, that they were stirred with zeal, as superstitious men would have all other bound to their madness, as also cruelty followeth such foolish zeal always: but here it is evident that envy only carried away the Chaldees with such clamours to accuse the Jews. And it is uncertain whether they speak of the whole nation, that is to say, of all the exiles generally, or of these three only. This is probable and likely, that they did restrain their accusation to these three. For if these three had been brought down, they would easily have conquered the rest. For few would have been ⟨image 34⟩found so constant amongest all the people. It is very like therefore that these outrageous criers do assail those whom they counted most bold & constant: and so labour to bring them down from that high dignity, in the which they could not abide to behold them.

Wherefore seyng the Chaldees grudged at this, their malice & enuy moued them to geue the kyng this counsell. For els how commeth it to passe that they so sodainly perceiue that the Iewes, namely Sadrach, Mesach, and Abednego do no worship nor reuerence to the Image: Surely it appeareth that they dyd as it were lye in wayt to espy what the Iewes would do, and thereby may we gather that they imagined this crafty accusation at the first when as they counselled the kyng to make this Image. And that with clamor and tumult they do accuse the Iewes, hereby do we perceiue that their mindes were full of enuy and hatred. It might be sayd, that they were styrred with zele, as superstitious men would haue all other bound to their madnes, as also cruelty foloweth such foolish zele alwayes: but here it is euident that enuy onely caryed away the Chaldees with such clamors to accuse the Iewes. And it is vncertaine whether they speake of the whole nation, that is to say, of all the exiles generally, or of these thrée onely. This is probable and lykely, that they dyd restrayne their accusation to these thrée. For if these thrée had bene brought down, they would easily haue conquered the rest. For few would haue bene