A17641:206
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.
He addeth: Which sent his angel and delivered his servants. Here Daniel more plainly declareth that Nebuchadnezzar was not converted to receive the God of Israel, & to worship him truly with a pure affection of his hart. Why so? For true holiness is alway grounded in the knowledge of the true God, which requireth doctrine. Nebuchadnezzar did know that the God of Israel was the high God. Whereby? Verily by his power: for he had a spectacle set before his eyes which he could not contemn though he would. Thus then doth he grant the God of Israel to be the high God, taught by this miracle. But this is not sufficient unto true holiness (as I have admonished) except also doctrine be joined unto it, yea & have the chief parts. I do grant very well that men are prepared unto faith by miracles: but if nothing save bare miracles appear, and no knowledge be joined out of the very word of God, it will be but a shadow of faith: as we have here a most manifest example.
He addeth: Which sent his angell and deliuered his seruaūts. Here Daniel more plainely declareth that Nebuchadnezer was not cōuerted to receiue ye God of Israel, & to worship him truely with a pure affection of his hart. Why so? For true holines is alway grounded in the knowledge of the true God, which requireth doctrine. Nebuchadnezer did know that the God of Israel was the hye God. Wherby? Verely by his power: for he had a spectacle set before his eyes which he could not contemne though he would. Thus then doth he graunt the God of Israel to be the hye God, taught by this miracle. But this is not sufficient vnto true holynes (as I haue admonished) except also doctrine be ioyned vnto it, yea & haue the chief partes. I do graūt very well that men are prepared vnto faith by miracles: but if nothing saue bare miracles appeare, and no knowledge be ioyned out of the very word of God, it wilbe but a shadow of faith: as we haue here a most manifest example.
Let us know then that this was a particular faith in king Nebuchadnezzar. For he had all his mind bent upon the miracle, and being content with that spectacle, he did not inquire who was that God of Israel, or what his law did comprehend, neither yet was be careful for the Mediator. Finally he neglected and despised the whole substance of true holiness, and took hold unadvisedly but of one part only. This do we see daily in many profane men. For God many times doth humble them and causeth them to fly unto him for succour: but in the mean season they remain wrapped in their own wits, and do not renounce their superstitions, neither regard which is the true worship of God. For to approve our service unto God, this principle must be remembered,