A17641:256
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.
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.
Where it is sayd: That the boughes thereof were beautitifull, and the fruite was plentyfull: thys may bee referred to the commō opinion of the multitude: for we know how their eyes are daseled wyth the glory of Princes. For if any be farre more excellent then other by the greatnes of his power, all do worship and reuerence hym, and are rauished as it were into an admiration, so that they are able to iudge nothing. Whē the imperiall Maiesty or the kinges highnes is shewed, they are all amased and astonied. For they thinke that it is not lawfull for them to beholde what is in those Princes. Seyng then there was so great riches & power in king Nebuchadnezer, it is no meruaile though ye Prophet do say: that his boughes were beautifull, and hys fruite plentifull. But in the meane season we must remēber that which I haue lately spoken, that is to say, that the blessing of God doth shine in the Princes, although they be farre from doyng theyr offices: for God doth not suffer hys grace to be vtterly taken from them & therefore they are compelled to bring forth some fruite. It is much better therefore to sée some kynde of dominion, then one equall condition, where euery one woulde plucke forth hys neighboures eyes. And thys is ment by the meate for euery one. The second part of the dreame followeth.