A17641:275
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.
Here Daniel doth recite, that he was after a sort astonished. And I refer this unto the sorrow which the holy Prophet conceived by the horrible punishment which God showed under this figure. Neither ought it to seem marvellous that Daniel was touched with sorrow for the calamity of the king of Babylon. For although he was a cruel tyrant, and straitly handled the Church of God, yea almost did destroy it: yet because he was under his dominion, it was mete that he should pray for him. For God did expressly command the Jews so to do, by the Prophet Jeremiah: 1Pray ye for the prosperous state of Babylon, for in the peace thereof shall be your peace. And at the end of seventy years it was lawful for the true worshippers of God, to pray unto God to deliver them: but until that time was ended which was before limited by the mouth of the Prophet, it was not lawful for them either to hate the king, or to ask any vengeance at Gods hand. For they did know that he was the executor of Gods just judgement, and also that he was their governor, and must be holden in the stead of their lawful king. Seeing then that Daniel was gently entreated of the king, and was by the law of war made an exile, it was his part to keep fidelity unto his king, although he did exercise tyranny against the people of God. This was the cause why he conceived such sorrow by the grisly vision.
Here Daniel doth recite, that he was after a sorte astonished. And I referre this vnto the sorow which the holy Prophet conceiued by the horrible punishment which God shewed vnder this figure. Neither ought it to seme marueilous that Daniel was touched with sorow for the calamitie of the kyng of Babylon. For although he was a cruell tyraunt, and straitely handled the Church of God, yea almost did destroy it: yet because hée was vnder his dominiō, it was mete that he should pray for him. For God did expresly commaunde the Iewes so to do, by the Prophet Ieremy: 1Pray ye for the prosperous state of Babylon, for in the peace therof shalbe your peace. And at the end of seuenty yeares it was lawfull for the true worshippers of God, to pray vnto God to deliuer them: but vntill that time was ended which was before limited by the mouth of the Prophet, it was not lawfull for them either to hate the kyng, or to aske any vengeance at Gods hand. For they did know that he was the executor of Gods iust iudgement, and also that he was their gouernour, and must be holden in the stead of their lawfull kyng. Seyng then that Daniel was gently intreated of the king, and was by the law of warre made an exile, it was his part to kepe fidelitie vnto his kyng, although he did exercise tyranny agaynst the people of God. This was the cause why he conceiued such sorow by the grysely vision.