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 Nebuchadnezzar repeat that which he had spoken of before, that is, that he seeketh the interpretation of the dream. He knew what figure had been showed unto him: but he could not understand the counsel of God, neither yet persuade with himself whereto it belonged: therefore he trieth in this part the faith of Daniel. He affirmeth that he saw a dream, that Daniel might be more ready to interpret it: and he addeth this also to the same end, that all the wise men of his kingdom could not declare the dream. Where he confesseth after a sort, all the ⟨image 61⟩Astrologians, Soothsayers, and all other of that kind which said they knew all things, to be false and deceitful. For some were Augurs, some Soothsayers, some dream readers, others Astrologians, which did not only dispute of the order, and course, and distance of the stars and of the property of them, but also which would foretell by the aspects of the stars, all that was to come. Whereas then they did boast so greatly of the knowledge of all things, Nebuchadnezzar doth confess that they were deceivers. For he ascribeth this to Daniel, because he had a divine spirit. Wherefore he excludeth all the wise men of Babylon from so great a gift, because he perceiveth by experience that they were destitute of the spirit of God. He doth not speak plainly, but this is easily gathered of his words, that falsehood was found in all the wise Chaldees. Again in the second part he separateth Daniel forth of their number, & also noteth the cause: even because he had a divine spirit. Wherefore Nebuchadnezzar doth here give unto God that which is due unto him, and doth also acknowledge Daniel to be his Prophet and minister.

Here doth Nebuchadnezer repeate that which he had spoken of before, that is, that he séeketh the interpretation of the dreame. He knew what figure had bene shewed vnto hym: but he could not vnderstand the counsayle of God, neyther yet perswade wyth hymselfe whereto it belonged: therefore hée trieth in thys part the fayth of Daniel. He affirmeth that he saw a dreame, that Daniel might be more ready to interprete it: and he addeth this also to the same end, that all the wyse men of hys kyngdome could not declare the dreame. Where he confesseth after a sort, all the