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…

Let us know therefore that the wicked which are not regenerate with the spirit of God, are driven many times to worship God: but this is only a particular motion in them, and the rest of their life doth not answer unto it. But when God reformeth his servants, he also taketh in hand to govern them unto the end, and doth encourage them to perseverance, and confirmeth them with his spirit. Yet is it to be marked that the glory of God is set forth by this temporal and changeable conversion of the wicked, because, will they nill they, they are compelled to give place unto God for a time: whereby the greatness of his power is known. God doth therefore cause that to serve to his glory which doth nothing profit the reprobate, but rather turneth unto them to a greater judgement. For Nebuchadnezzar was less to be excused after that he knowledged the God of Israel to be the most high and only God, and afterward straight ways returned to his superstitions.

Let vs know therfore that the wicked which are not regenerate with the spirite of God, are driuen many times to worshyp God: but this is onely a particulare motion in thē, and the rest of their lyfe doth not aunswere vnto it. But whē God reformeth his seruaunts, he also taketh in hand to gouerne them vnto the end, and doth encorage them to perseuerance, and confirmeth them with his spirite. Yet is it to be marked that the glory of God is set forth by this temporall and chaungeable conuersion of the wicked, because, will they nill they, they are compelled to geue place vnto God for a tyme: wherby the greatnes of his power is knowen. God doth therfore cause that to serue to his glory which doth nothyng profite the reprobate, but rather turneth vnto them to a greater iudgement. For Nebuchadnezer was lesse to be excused after that he knowledged the God of Israel to be the most high and onely God, and afterward straight wayes returned to his superstitions.

Daniel saith that he came near to the mouth of the furnace, and that he said: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the servants of the hie God, go forth and come hither. A little before he would have had his Image worshipped, and that to be counted the only God in heaven and in earth, only because it was his pleasure. For we see that he did challenge so much to him self that he would have all Religion and worship of God subject to his lust and pleasure: but now as though he were a new man, he calleth Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego the servants of the high God. What place then doth he put him self in and all the Chaldees? Verily