A17641:341
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 › ¶ The Prayer.
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.
For as much as Nebuchadnezzar saith that he lift up his eyes unto heaven, and his understanding was given him again, hereby we gather that he was a space without his mind. Neither yet was he so without his mind, in my judgement, but he knew his misery: but in the mean season he did byte the bridle, and was like a brainsick man. Other say that he was altogether mad. I will not contend of this matter: but this is sufficient for me, that he was without his mind, so that he had some part of a beast. But it is probable that he had some intelligence left, that he perceived some punishment by his misery. In the mean season he did not lift up his eyes into heaven until God drew him to him. For the rods of God do nothing profit us except he work within us by his spirit, as we said before.
For as much as Nebuchadnezer sayth that hée lift vp his eyes vnto heauen, and his vnderstandyng was geuen him agayne, hereby we gather that he was a space without his minde. Neither yet was he so without his minde, in my iudgement, but he knew his miserie: but in the meane season he dyd byte the bridle, and was like a brayneséeke man. Other say that he was altogether mad. I will not contend of this matter: but this is sufficient for me, that he was without his minde, so that he had some part of a beast. But it is probable that he had some intelligence left, that he perceiued some punishment by his miserie. In the meane season he did not lift vp his eyes into heauen vntill God drew him to him. For the rods of God do nothyng profite vs except he worke within vs by his spirite, as we sayd before.
The speech is as much as if he should say: he began to think that God was a just judge. For although his shame did trouble him for a while, yet he did not look unto the hand of the smiter, even as is said in an other place. Therefore he began to acknowledge that God is the revenger of pride, after that time which was appointed before was past, of that which we have spoken. And they do lift their eyes into heaven which do also cast them down to the earth. Because Nebuchadnezzar should have risen up unto God whom before he had forgotten as wakened from his deep dream: he should also have thrown down him self to the earth, because now he had received the reward of his arrogancy. For he durst lift up his head above mans state, when he took to him self those things which were due unto God. Therefore he did not now lift up his eyes unto heaven by a vain confidence, as before when he was made drunken with the beauty of his Monarchy: but he did so look upon God, that he was cast down & prostrate in his mind. Afterwards he addeth: And J blessed the most high, and I praised and glorified him that liveth for ever.