A17641:159
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.
Biblical commentary book of Daniel › Chapter 3 › Part › Meditation
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.
This is the chief thing to be considered in this history, that these three holy men did remain constant in the fear of God, though they did know most present danger of death to hang over their heads. Wherefore when death was set before their eyes, they turned not back from their right course, but they set more by the glory of God, then ⟨p. 24⟩by their own life, yea then by an hundred lives, if it had been needful to have bestowed so many, and that had been granted unto them. Daniel doth not rehearse all their words, but gathereth a brief sum only: in the which yet that invincible power of the holy ghost wherewith they were endued, doth plainly appear.
This is the chief thyng to be considered in this hystory, that these three holy men dyd remaine constant in the feare of God, though they dyd know most present daunger of death to hang ouer their heades. Wherefore when death was set before their eyes, they turned not backe from their right course, but they set more by the glory of God, then ⟨p. 24⟩by their owne life, yea then by an hundreth lyues, if it had bene nedefull to haue bestowed so many, and that had bene graunted vnto them. Daniel doth not rehearse all their wordes, but gathereth a brief summe onely: in ye which yet that inuincible power of the holy ghost wherewith they were indued, doth playnely appeare.
Surely this was an horrible threatening when the king said: If ye be not ready to fall down before the Image at the blast of the trumpet, ye shall the same hour be cast into the fiery furnace. When the king thundered after this manner, they might be shaken as men. For we know how dear life is unto us, & how the fear of death smiteth all our senses. But Daniel rehearseth all these circumstances, that we may know that there is more strength in the servants of God when they are led with his spirit, than that they should give place to any threatenings, or fall down for any terror.