A17641:432
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.
We have said before, and Daniel will repeat it again in many places, that kingdoms do not come unto men by chance and fortune,1 but from God, as Paul saith: that there is no power but of God. And God will have his providence to appear after a special manner in the distribution of kingdoms. For although God govern the whole world, and things which seem most small in the government of mankind are ruled by his hand: yet his special providence doth appear most evidently in kingdoms and Empires. And Daniel to confirm this doctrine, addeth: that for the great authority that God gave him, all men did tremble before him. Whereby he signifieth that the glory of God is imprinted in kings persons so long as he will have them to reign. This can not be outwardly seen, but the matter it self declareth it plainly, that kings are armed with authority from God, in that they are able thus to retain under their hand and at their appointment, great multitudes of men: for amongest mortal men, every one desireth to be the chief. How doth it then come to pass, ⟨p. 85⟩seeing ambition is so fixed in all mens harts, that many thousands will submit themselves unto one, and suffer themselves to be ruled, yea that they can suffer at the hands of such many injuries? What is the cause hereof, but that God doth arm with the sword and power, whom he will have to be excellent in the world? This reason therefore is diligently to be noted that the prophet saith, that all did tremble at the sight of king Nebuchadnezzar, because God had made him great, that is to say, because God would have him excellent above others in the world.
We haue sayd before, and Daniel wyll repete it agayne in many places, that kyngdomes do not come vnto men by chaunce and fortune,1 but from God, as Paul sayth: that there is no power but of God. And God wyll haue hys prouidence to appeare after a speciall maner in the distribution of kyngdomes. For although God gouerne ye whole world, and thynges which séeme most small in the gouernment of mankinde are ruled by hys hand: yet hys speciall prouidēce doth appeare most euidently in kingdomes and Empires. And Daniel to confirme thys doctrine, addeth: that for the gaeat authority that God gaue hym, all men did tremble before hym. Whereby he signifieth that the glory of God is imprinted in kynges persones so long as he wyll haue thē to raigne. Thys can not be outwardly séene, but the matter it selfe declareth it playnely, that kynges are armed wyth authority from God, in that they are able thus to retayne vnder their hand and at their appointment, great multitudes of men: for amongest mortall men, euery one desireth to be the chiefe. How doth it then come to passe,