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…

Here doth the king of Babylon speak gently unto Daniel, because he perceiveth him self destitute of his own Doctors. And hereby we perceive that he never came to the true God, but when he was compelled by necessity. Daniel was not unknown unto him, neither was he far away, for he was in his palace. Seeing then that the king might have had Daniel when he would, why did he leave Daniel out and called the other Mages so solemnly? Wherefore it is plain (as I have said) that he never gave glory unto God, but when he was driven thereunto by great necessity. Therefore he did never submit him self unto the God of Israel of his own accord willingly: and it is plain that they are but sudden motions when soever he showeth any sign of holiness. When he entreateth Daniel so humbly, we see his servile nature. Like as all proud men when they need not the help of others, they are so puffed up that no man can bear their pride and insolency: but when they are brought to extremity, they would rather lick the dust of a mans feet, than want the favour that might help them. Such was the nature of this king: for he would gladly have despised Daniel, as he had already counted him inferior to the Mages: but when he seeth him self remain in his troubles, and that he could have no remedy but by Daniel, ⟨p. 41⟩this he taketh for his last refuge and now he seemeth to forget his pride and authority when he doth speak thus fair unto the holy Prophet of God. But the rest shall be touched afterward.

Here doth the kyng of Babylon speake gently vnto Daniel, because hee perceaueth him selfe destitute of his owne Doctours. And hereby we perceaue that hee neuer came to the true God, but when he was compelled by necessitie. Daniel was not vnknowē vnto him, neither was he farre away, for he was in his palace. Seyng then that the kyng might haue had Daniel when he would, why did he leaue Daniel out and called the other Mages so solēnly? Wherefore it is playne (as I haue said) yt he neuer gaue glory vnto God, but when he was driuen therunto by great necessitie. Therfore hee did neuer submit him selfe vnto the God of Israel of his owne accord willyngly: and it is playne that they are but soddayne motions when soeuer he sheweth any signe of holynes. When he entreateth Daniel so humbly, we sée his seruile nature. Like as all proude men whē they nede not the helpe of others, they are so puffed vp that no man can beare their pride and insolency: but when they are brought to extremitie, they would rather licke the dust of a mans féete, thē want the fauour that might helpe them. Such was the nature of this kyng: for hee would gladly haue despised Daniel, as he had already counted him inferior to the Mages: but when he séeth him selfe remayne in his troubles, and that he could haue no remedy but by Daniel,