A17641:302
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 doth deal more mildly with this profane king, then if he had preached to his own countrymen. For them he would have used his prophetical authority, & not have talked of his own counsel. But because he did know that the king knew not the first principles of Religion, he taketh upon him the person of a counsellor because he was not an ordinary teacher. That Nebuchadnezzar had now called him, it was not usual every day, as though he would submit him self to his doctrine. Daniel doth therefore consider with what manner of man he had to do, when he saith: Let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and then doth utter it in few words: Break of thy sins, [or cast them from thee] by righteousness, and thine iniquities by mercy toward the poor.
Daniel doth deale more mildly with this prophane king, then if he had preached to his owne countreymen. For thē he would haue vsed his propheticall authoritie, & not haue talked of his owne counsaile. But because he did know that the kyng knew not the first principles of Religiō, he taketh vpon him the person of a counsailer because he was not an ordinary teacher. That Nebuchadnezer had now called him, it was not vsuall euery day, as though he would submit him selfe to his doctrine. Daniel doth therfore consider with what maner of man he had to do, when he sayth: Let my counsaile be acceptable vnto thee, and then doth vtter it in few wordes: Breake of thy sinnes, [or cast them from thée] by rightuousnes, and thyne iniquities by mercy toward the poore.
There is no doubt but that Daniel would exhort the king to repentance: howbeit he doth touch but one kind, as we do know that it is usual in the Prophets. For when they call the people home, they do not alway comprehend what repentance is, neither do they generally describe it, but they touch by a figure, either the outward declaration thereof, or some part of it, especially wherein men are most faulty. Daniel doth so now.
There is no doubt but that Daniel would exhort ye kyng to repentance: howbeit he doth touch but one kinde, as we do know that it is vsuall in the Prophetes. For when they call the people home, they do not alway comprehend what repentance is, neither do they generally describe it, but they touch by a figure, either the outward declaration therof, or some part of it, especially wherin men are most fauty. Daniel doth so now.