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…

I return to the beginning, to declare how profitable this book of Daniel is to the Church of Christ. And first the matter it self declareth that Daniel did not speak of his own head, but that what soever he did speak it was taught him by the holy ghost. For how could he have conjectured these things that we shall see afterward, if he had followed nothing but mans wisdom: that is to say, that other Monarchies should grow up which should destroy the Empire of Babylon, which had then the greatest power in all the world? Again, how could he conjecture of the coming of great Alexander and of his successors? Long before Alexander was borne Daniel did Prophesy what he should do. Also he declareth that his kingdom should not be long because it should straight ways be divided into four horns. Other things that he speaketh also do manifestly prove that he spake by the holy Ghost. Howbeit this may be more evidently proved by his other Prophecies, when he admonisheth with what great miseries the Church shall be vexed betwixt those two most cruel enemies the king of Syria and the king of Egypt. There doth he rehearse their leagues, and then reciteth their cruel wars one against an other, and afterward all the alterations, and he doth so point out every thing with the finger and prosecute the whole matter, that it may appear that God speaketh by his mouth. This is then a great thing and very profitable, to know assuredly that Daniel was the instrument of the holy Ghost, and that he did speak nothing of his own brain. Now that he was in such authority to the end that he might be in more credit with the Jews concerning his doctrine, that is extended unto us. For how foul and shameful ingratitude is this, if we do not embrace the Prophet of God, whom the Chaldees were compelled to honour: whom we know both to have been superstitious and full of pomp and pride? Those two nations of the Egyptians and Chaldees stood most in their own conceit of all others. For the Chaldees thought that they only had the University of all wisdom. Wherefore they would never have been very ready to receive Daniel, unless the truth had compelled them, and that this confession had been violently wrested forth of them, that Daniel was the very Prophet of God.

I returne to the begynnyng, to declare how profitable this booke of Daniel is to the Church of Christ. And first the matter it selfe declareth that Daniel did not speake of his own head, but that what soeuer he did speake it was taught hym by the holy ghost. For how could he haue coniectured these thynges that we shall see afterward, if he had folowed nothyng but mās wisedome: that is to say, that other Monarchies should grow vp which should destroy the Empire of Babylon, which had thē the greatest power in all the world? Agayne, how could he coniecture of the commyng of great Alexander and of his successors? Long before Alexander was borne Daniel dyd Prophecie what he should do. Also he declareth that his kingdome should not be lōg because it should straight wayes be diuided into foure hornes. Other thynges that he speaketh also do manifestly proue that he spake by the holy Ghost. Howbeit this may be more euidently proued by his other Prophecies, whē he admonisheth with what great miseries the Church shall be vexed betwixt those two most cruell enemies ye kyng of Syria and the kyng of Aegypt. There doth he rehearse their leagues, and then reciteth theyr cruell warres one agaynst an other, and afterward all the alterations, and he doth so point out euery thyng with the finger and prosecute the whole matter, that it may appeare that God speaketh by his mouth. This is then a great thyng and very profitable, to know assuredly that Daniel was the instrument of the holy Ghost, and that he dyd speake nothyng of his owne brayne. Now that he was in such authoritie to the end that he might be in more credite with the Iewes concernyng his doctrine, that is extended vnto vs. For how foule and shamefull ingratitude is this, if we do not embrace the Prophet of God, whom the Chaldees were compelled to honour: whom we know both to haue bene superstitious and full of pompe and pride? Those two nations of the Aegyptians and Chaldees stode most in their owne conceit of all others. For the Chaldees thought that they onely had the Vniuersitie of all wisedome. Wherfore they would neuer haue bene very ready to receiue Daniel, vnles the truth had compelled them, and that this confession had bene violently wrasted forth of them, that Daniel was the very Prophet of God.