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…

Then he addeth: Which trusted in him. Which is also to be noted, for it is added as the cause why these three were so marvellously delivered: because they put their trust in God. And although Nebuchadnezzar was but almost like a stock or a block concerning the doctrine of faith: yet God would teach us by this stone or block, and make us ashamed, and lay unto our charge the want of faith, which causeth that we can not commit our lives to Gods will, and boldly undertake all dangers when need requireth. For if we were fully persuaded that God is the keeper of our life, surely no menaces, no threatenings, no terrors, no nor finally any deaths could stop us from going forward in our office. But infidelity and distrust in God is the cause of our slothfulness: and so often as we turn forth of the way, so often as we defraud God of his honour, so often as we fail traitorously, ⟨p. 34⟩the want of our faith doth utter it self, and may, as it were, be palpably felt and seen.

Then he addeth: Which trusted in hym. Which is also to be noted, for it is added as ye cause why these thrée were so meruelously deliuered: because they put their trust in God. And although Nebuchadnezer was but almost like a stock or a blocke concerning the doctrine of fayth: yet God would teach vs by this stone or blocke, and make vs ashamed, and lay vnto our charge the want of fayth, which causeth that we can not commit our liues to Gods will, and boldly vndertake all daungers whē néede requireth. For if we were fully perswaded that God is the kéeper of our life, surely no manaces, no threatninges, no terrours, no nor finally any deathes could stoppe vs from goyng forward in our office. But infidelitie and distrust in God is the cause of our slouthfulnes: and so often as we turne forth of the way, so often as we defraude God of hys honor, so often as we faile traiterously, ⟨p. 34⟩the want of our fayth doth vtter it selfe, and may, as it were, be palpably felt and séene.

Let us learn then, if we will have our life defended with the hand of God, to give our selves wholly unto him: for he will never deceive us, if that we rest in him. We do see that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, were uncertain of the end: yet this could not diminish nor abate their hope and confidence in God: for they used this Dilemma standing of two parts: either God will deliver us from the fiery furnace, or if we die he will save us after a far better sort, for he will gather us into his kingdom. Although then they durst not promise themselves the thing that they knew not, yet they laid up their lives in the hand and protection of God. Wherefore they are worthily commended by Nebuchadnezzar, that they trusted in their God.