A17641:282
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.
Daniel here prosecuteth the matter that he began, with great liberty and constancy, saying, that the king of Babylon this great tree must be cut down. He calleth him Lord, and that unfeignedly: but because he was the Ambassador of the high king, he doubteth not to lift up his words, and to set out his message committed unto him with a more high stile. For this is the common use of all the Prophets, to rise up stoutly against the mountains and the hills, as is said in Jeremiah: 1J have set thee this day over kingdoms and over nations, to pluck up, and to root out, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant. God therefore will challenge so great reverence to his word, that nothing shall be so high or excellent in the world, which shall not give place unto it. Daniel therefore concerning men and the politic order, confesseth the king to be his Lord: notwithstanding he goeth forward with his Embassy, as he was appointed: That the king (saith he) did see a watchman come down from the heavens, which said cut down the tree, and scatter it until seven times pass over. He repeateth that he which he spake before, that the time of the punishment should have an end. For God might have abolished the king of Babylon and his whole memory and posterity, but he would mitigate the punishment. Albeit he would not for a short time punish this king Nebuchadnezzar lest it should be neglected as an usual thing: but because it was his will to set forth a notorious example for all ages, therefore would he prolong his punishment for a long time. To this end therefore pertaineth the number of seven years. For we know in the Scriptures that a long time is signified by the number of seven, because that number signifieth perfection.
Daniel here prosecuteth the matter that hee began, with great libertie and constancy, saying, that the kyng of Babylon this great trée must be cut down. He calleth him Lord, and that vnfainedly: but because he was the Ambassadour of the high kyng, he doubteth not to lift vp his wordes, and to set out his message committed vnto him with a more hye stile. For this is the common vse of all the Prophetes, to rise vp stoutely agaynst the mountaines and the hilles, as is sayd in Ieremy: