A17641:255
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.
And where some of the Rabbins will have Babylon to stand in the middest of the earth, because it is under the same line with Jerusalem, it is to foolish. And they that say that Jerusalem is in the middest of the earth, are in a childish error, as Hierome, and Origene, and other of the ancient writers ⟨p. 44⟩which hold this principle. But they are worthy to be mocked with that answer of Diogenes: who when he was required to point the middest of the earth, he touched the earth that was under his feet with his staff. Then when an other objected, that it was not the middle of the earth, he said, measure thou the earth and thou shalt see.
And where some of ye Rabbines will haue Babylō to stād in the middest of the earth, because it is vnder the same line wyth Ierusalem, it is to foolish. And they that say that Ierusalem is in the middest of the earth, are in a childish error, as Hierome, and Origene, and other of the auncient writers ⟨p. 44⟩which holde thys principle. But they are worthy to be mocked wyth that aunswere of Diogines: who when he was required to poynt the middest of the earth, he touched the earth that was vnder hys féete wyth hys staffe. Then when an other obiected, that it was not the midle of the earth, he sayd, measure thou the earth and thou shalt sée.
Where it is said: That the boughs thereof were beautiful, and the fruit was plentiful: this may be referred to the common opinion of the multitude: for we know how their eyes are dazzled with the glory of Princes. For if any be far more excellent then other by the greatness of his power, all do worship and reverence him, and are ravished as it were into an admiration, so that they are able to judge nothing. When the imperial Majesty or the kings highness is showed, they are all amazed and astonied. For they think that it is not lawful for them to behold what is in those Princes. Seeing then there was so great riches & power in king Nebuchadnezzar, it is no marvel though the Prophet do say: that his boughs were beautiful, and his fruit plentiful. But in the mean season we must remember that which I have lately spoken, that is to say, that the blessing of God doth shine in the Princes, although they be far from doing their offices: for God doth not suffer his grace to be utterly taken from them & therefore they are compelled to bring forth some fruit. It is much better therefore to see some kind of dominion, then one equal condition, where every one would pluck forth his neighbours eyes. And this is meant by the meat for every one. The second part of the dream followeth.