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…

Whereas Daniel did treat before of the four Monarchies, there is no doubt; but that the kings mind was at the first time stirred and sore grieved: but this was much more sharp and much more intolerable to the kings mind, that he is compared to the brute beasts, that he is cut of from the company of men, and sent into the fields and woods to feed with the beasts. If Daniel had said only that he should have been spoiled of his princely dignity, he would have been greatly offended with that abasement: but when he is cast down into this so great ignominy & shame, there is no doubt but he was raging mad inwardly. Notwithstanding God did bridle his fury, that he did not covet to avenge him self of this, which he thought to be an injury done unto him. For we shall see by the text afterward that he did not rightly repent & amend his life. Seeing then that he fostered the same pride still in his hart, there is no doubt also but he was cruel: for these two vices do alway go together. But God restrained his rage so, that he spared this holy Prophet.

Whereas Daniel did treate before of the fower Monarchies, there is no doubt; but that the kinges minde was at the first time stirred and sore gréeued: but this was much more sharpe and much more intolerable to the kinges minde, that he is compared to the brute beastes, that he is cut of from the company of men, and sent into the fieldes and woodes to féede with the beastes. If Daniel had sayd onely that he should haue bene spoyled of his prnicely dignitie, he would haue bene greatly offended with that abasement: but when he is cast downe into this so great ignominie & shame, there is no doubt but he was raging madde inwardly. Notwithstanding God dyd bridle his fury, that he dyd not couet to auenge hym selfe of thys, which he thought to be an iniury done vnto him. For we shall see by the text afterward that he did not rightly repēt & amend his life. Seing then that he fostered the same pride still in his hart, there is no doubt also but he was cruell: for these two vices do alway go together. But God restrained his rage so, that he spared this holy Prophet.

By the way we may note the constancy of the servant of God, in that he doth not insinuate unto the king by subtle means what should come upon him, but openly declareth with many words, how foul and shameful a condition was appointed for him. They shall cast thee out (saith he) from among men. If he had said: thou shalt be as a common person among men, and shalt nothing differ from the base people, now that had been very grievous unto a king. But when the king is cast out of all humane society, that he may not have one corner amongest them, neither is it granted that he may lead his life with the Neatherds and Swineherds: how grievous and horrible this was, every man may conjecture by his own mind. Yet doth not