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…

Therefore that we may find the seventy years in the which God would end the captivity of his people, it shall be necessary to prolong the reign of Evilmerodah longer than three and twenty years: Although there is no great difference in that matter. For a little after Nebuchadnezzar returned and carried away the king, although he left the City standing. And though the temple did stand still at that time, yet God had laid a most grievous plague upon the people, which was almost as evil as the last destruction. Howsoever it is, we see that Beltsazar doth celebrate this feast when the time of deliverance was now at hand. And here is the providence of God to be considered, which ruleth the hours and times, that the wicked when the time is ripe for ⟨p. 70⟩their fall, cast themselves down headlong. So chanced it to this wicked king.

Therefore that we may finde the seuenty yeares in the which God would end the captiuity of hys people, it shalbe necessary to prolong the raigne of Euilmerodah longer thē thrée and twenty yeares: Although there is no great difference in that matter. For a little after Nebuchadnezer returned and caried away the king, although he left the Citie standing. And though the temple did stand still at that tyme, yet God had layd a most greuous plague vpon the people, which was almost as euill as the last destruction. Howsoeeuer it is, we sée that Beltsazar doth celebrate this feast when ye tyme of deliueraunce was now at hand. And here is the prouidence of God to be considered, which ruleth the houres and tymes, that the wicked whē the time is ripe for ⟨p. 70⟩their fall, cast themselues downe hedlong. So chaunced it to this wicked kyng.

It was a marvellous madness and blindness that he prepared so great a feast full of delicates, when as the City was yet besieged. For Cyrus had now a long time besieged the City with a great army, & this miserable king was half surprised: yet notwithstanding as it were in despite of God, he maketh a dainty feast and calleth a thousand guests. Hereby may we easily conjecture what business there was & what charges in the feast. For if one would entertain but either ten or twenty men, there will be much business and travail if so be he will treat them sumptuously. But when there was preparation made for the Prince, when there were a thousand noble personages, the Queen and the kings concubines, when so great a multitude was then gathered together: no doubt there must needs be much searching out of many parts, to find sufficient delicates: and this thing may seem incredible. But Xenophon, (although he tell many fables, and do neither keep the gravity nor fidelity of an historiographer because he will set forth the praises of Syrus like and orator: yet in this point there is no cause why he should lie) saith that there was preparation of victual laid up in store that the Babylonians might bear the siege ten year more. And Babylon may worthily be called a country. For the greatness of that City was such that is is incredible to be told. Doubtless it must needs be that is was very full of people. And seeing they carried victuals from all Asia thither, it is no marvel if the men of Babel had victual laid up in store, that they might sustain themselves a long space, the gates being shut up.