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…

Now do we see why Daniel saith that this sentence is in the decree of the watchmen and in their word a request: as though he should say, thou hast all the Angels thine, adversaries. For with one consent and as it were with one mouth, they do accuse thee before God, that thou doest obscure his glory, as much as in thee lieth: and God agreeing to their requests, hath decreed to cast thee away, and to make thee contemptible & shameful before all the world: and this decree is ratified by all the Angels, as it were common with him and them. For their consent and subscription might have some authority with this profane king. And doubtless God (as he doth many times) doth now accommodate the vision to this mans capacity, who was never taught in the law, but had only a confused knowledge of the divinity: so that he did not discern betwixt God and the Angels. And yet this sentence is also true, that the sentence was published by the common decree of all the heavenly army, and that together by supplication and request: ⟨p. 47⟩because doubtless the Angels did take it grievously, that any thing should be withdrawn from Gods glory, & that there should be such madness in men, that they would draw and catch to them selves that which is proper and peculiar to God alone. This seemeth to be the true sense. And so that which followeth dependeth well hereof: that mortal men may know that God hath power over the kingdoms of men. For Daniel doth note the end of their request: that the Angels would have Gods authority to remain wholly to himself, and that nothing should be taken away therefrom by mans churlish ingratitude. For man can challenge to him self never so little, but he robbeth God of his due praise and glory. Therefore do the Angels crave of God continually that he would cast down all the proud, and that he would not suffer him self to be defrauded of his authority, but that all power may remain with him wholly. And this is diligently to be noted: that all mortal men may know that the most high doth bear rule in the kingdoms of men. For the most wicked will grant that God hath the chief power and authority (for they dare not draw him down from his heavenly throne with their blasphemies) but in the mean season they imagine that they can both get and defend kingdoms in this world, either by their own power, or riches, or other means.

Now do we sée why Daniel sayth that thys sentence is in the decrée of the watchmen and in theyr word a request: as though he should say, thou hast all the Angels thine, aduersaries. For with one consent and as it were with one mouth, they do accuse thee before God, that thou doest obscure his glory, as much as in thee lyeth: and God agreing to theyr requestes, hath decreed to cast thee away, and to make thee contemptible & shamefull before al the world: and thys decree is ratified by all the Angels, as it were common with him and them. For their consent and subscription might haue some authority with this prophane king. And doubtles God (as he doth many tymes) doth now accommodate the vision to this mans capacitie, who was neuer taught in the law, but had only a confused knowlege of the diuinity: so that he dyd not discerne betwix God and the Angels. And yet thys sentence is also true, that the sentence was published by the common decree of al the heauenly army, and that together by supplication and request: