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…

This history doth evidently declare unto us, that Princes in dissembling some Religion have only regard to their own authority, that they may the better thrust in them selves into the place of the Gods. For this is a monstrous matter, that king Nebuchadnezzar doth here brag against all the Gods, as though there were no power in heaven, but that which he alloweth. What God (saith he) can deliver you out of my hand? And why then did be worship any other God? For this cause verily, to hold the people in with some bridle, and so to establish his tyranny: not that he had any care of holiness in his hart. Daniel doth declare that the king was angry at the beginning. For nothing is more grievous to kings then to see their authority despised. They will be obeyed in all things, though their commandments be most wicked.

This hystory doth euidently declare vnto vs, that Princes in dissembling some Religion haue onely regard to their owne authoritie, that they may the better thrust in them selues into the place of the Gods. For this is a monstrous matter, that kyng Nebuchadnezer doth here bragge agaynst all the Gods, as though there were no power in heauen, but that which he alloweth. What God (sayth he) can deliuer you out of my hand? And why then dyd be worshyp any other God? For this cause verely, to hold the people in with some bridle, and so to establish his tyranny: not that he had any care of holynes in his hart. Daniel doth declare that the kyng was angry at the begynnyng. For nothyng is more greuous to kynges then to sée their authoritie despised. They wilbe obeyed in all thinges, though their commaundementes be most wicked.