A17641:366
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 5 › 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 here declare and history which was done at the same time that Babylon was taken: but in the mean season he leaveth the judgement of God to be considered of the readers, of the which the Prophets prophesied before the people was banished. Here doth he not use a prophetical stile (as we shall see afterward) but is content with the simple narration: but the use of the history may be learned by those words which follow. Therefore it is now our duty to weigh in this history, that which may make to the edification of faith and of the fear of God. In the first place we must note the time in the which Beltsazar did celebrate this feast. Now the seventy years were passed from that time that Daniel was brought into exile. For although Nebuchadnezzar were called afterward the father of Beltsazar, yet is it manifest enough that Evilmerodah was betwixt them two. And Evilmerodah reigned three and twenty years. Other also number two kings before Beltsazar: for they do put Regassar after Labassardach, which two make eight years more. Metastenes saith so, & many do follow him. But it is manifest that Nebuchadnezzar the great (which brought Daniel away, which was the son of the first Nebuchadnezzar) reigned 45. years. Other do transfer two years to his fathers Empire. Howsoever it is, he obtained the kings power 45. years. Now add moreover 23. years to Evilmerodah, ⟨image 82⟩which will make threescore and eight. Beltsazar also reigned 8. years. Therefore we see 72. years to be passed after Daniel was carried away captive. Metasthenes reckoneth 30. years in the reign of Evilmerodah: and moreover there are added unto him 8. years: So should the years be more then fourscore. And this is probable enough. Although it seemeth that Methasthenes erred in this that he made diverse kings, seeing they were only diverse names. For Herodotus 1doth not call this king of whom now mention is made, Beltsazar: but calleth his father Labinetus, & him also by the same name. Therefore it seemeth that Methasthenes was deceived in the names. But forasmuch as belongeth to the reckoning of time, I willingly receive that which he saith, that Evilmerodah reigned thirty years. For when we speak of the seventy years whereof Jeremiah did prophecy, we may not begin at the captivity of Daniel., neither at the destruction of the City: