A17641:253
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 4 › 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.
Also the fowls of heaven make their nests in the boughs. Some do make a difference betwixt the birds and the beasts over subtly, but I am content to learn thus much by the Prophet, that men of all states and condition, do feel and perceive no small utility by the protection of Princes. For if they were destitute of this aid and comfort, it were better for them to live amongst wild beasts, then one to kill an other. And this should be of necessity, if we consider how great a pride is engendered in us all, and how blind love every one of us have towards our selves, and how raging our lusts are. Seeing it is so then, God declareth by this dream, that of what state so ever we are, yet stand we in need of the help of the Magistrates. And by meat & feeding and by the shadow of the tree, he doth signify the manifold commodities which come unto us by politic order. Some man might object, that he needeth not the Magistrate in this or in that point: but if we try all the necessities of our life, we shall find that this benefit of God is very necessary.
Also the foules of heauen make their nestes in the boughes. Some do make a difference betwixt the birdes and the beastes ouer subtilly, but I am cōtent to learne thus much by the Prophet, that men of all states and condition, do féele and perceaue no small vtility by the protection of Princes. For if they were destitute of thys ayde and comfort, it were better for thē to liue amonges wilde beastes, then one to kil an other. And this should be of necessity, if we consider how great a pride is ingendred in vs all, and how blinde loue euery one of vs haue towardes our selues, and how raging our lustes are. Seing it is so then, God declareth by thys dreame, yt of what state so euer we are, yet stād we in néede of the helpe of the Maiestrates. And by meat & féeding and by the shadow of the trée, he doth signifie the manifolde cō modities which come vnto vs by politicke order. Some mā myght obiect, that he néedeth not the Magistrate in this or in that poynt: but if we try all the necessities of our lyfe, we shall finde that thys benefite of God is very necessary.
Now it followeth: That the height thereof was great, and that it grew up unto the heavens, and that the sight of it was extended to the ends of the earth. This is restrained to the Monarchy of Babylon. For there were at that time other kingdoms in the world, but their condition was but poor and slender: and the Chaldees had such a dominion that none of those Princes came to such power and authority. Seeing then there was such excellency in king Nebuchadnezzar, it is no marvel though he be described by the tree that reacheth to the heaven, and spreadeth to the ends of the earth.