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…

For the which thing some at this day are to much bent to contention. It is evident what they seek. For if a man mark them, they are wicked contemners of God, at the least they would have nothing to be certain in religion. Therefore do they labour to overthrow and, as much as in them lieth, to destroy all the principles of religion. Therefore that they may pour forth their poison, they strive thus stoutly for impunity & deny that heretics and blasphemers ought to be punished. That impudent Castalio is one of them, and his fellows, and other such like. Such were then the Donatists. And therefore (as I have said) Augustine doth often times cite this place, and declareth that it is shameful slackness when Christian princes do not by punishing the heretics and blasphemers, maintain Gods glory: considering that Nebuchadnezzar which was never truly converted, yet by a certain secret instigation published this decree. How so ever it is, it is evident enough to such as are modest and void of contention, that this decree of Nebuchadnezzar is commended by the testimony of the spirit. If it be so, it followeth consequently that it is the duty of kings to defend Gods true worship, & to punish severely profane contemners, who labour either to make nothing of true religion, or adulterate and corrupt the true doctrine with their errors, and so dissipate the unity of faith and trouble the concord of the Church. This is plain by the text of the prophet.

For the which thing some at this day are to much bent to contention. It is euident what they séeke. For if a man marke them, they are wicked contemners of God, at the least they would haue nothing to be certayne in religion. Therefore doo they labour to ouerthrow and, as much as in them lyeth, to destroy all the principles of religion. Therefore that they may poure forth theyr poyson, they striue thus stoutly for impunity & deny that heretikes and blasphemers ought to be punished. That impudent Castalio is one of them, and his felowes, and other such like. Such were then the Donatistes. And therefore (as I haue sayd) Augustine doth often times cite thys place, and declareth that it is shamefull slackenes when Christian princes doo not by punishing the heretikes and blasphemers, maintayne Gods glory: considering that Nebuchadnezer which was neuer truely conuerted, yet by a certayne secret instigation published this decree. How so euer it is, it is euident enohgh to such as are modest and voyd of contention, that this decree of Nebuchadnezer is commended by the testimony of the spirite. If it be so, it foloweth consequently that it is the duety of kinges to defend Gods true worship, & to punish seuerely prophane contemners, who labour either to make nothing of true religiō, or adulterate and corrupt the true doctrine with their errors, and so dissipate the vnity of fayth and trouble the concord of the Church. This is playne by the text of the prophet.