A17641:453
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.
Here Daniel doth expound those four words which were written on the wall. The king could not read them, either because he was astonished, or because God had troubled all his senses, and had, as it were daubed up his eyes. And the same may we say also of the Mages and Soothsayers. They might have read, if they had not been blinded by God. Daniel doth first of all therefore rehearse those four words, mene, mene, tekel, upharsin. Then doth he ⟨image 102⟩interpret them. One word is twice rehearsed, Mene. Some do thus divide it, that both the years of the life of the king, and also the time of the kings reign was numbered. But this subtlety seemeth not substantial. Therefore I think that this word was added twice for confirmation: as though the Prophet should say, that the number was now fulfilled. For in accounts it is easy to fail, as the proverb is. Wherefore that Beltsazar might understand that his life and his kingdom was now at an end, God doth affirm that the number is full and perfect: as though he should say, that there should not be added one minute of an hour to the term appointed. And thus doth Daniel him self interpret the same God (saith he) hath numbered thy kingdom, that is, God hath appointed and determined an end of thy kingdom, so that it must needs come to an end because the time is accomplished.
Here Daniel doth expound those foure wordes which were written on the wall. The king could not read them, eyther because he was astonished, or because God had troubled all hys senses, and had, as it were dawbed vp his eyes. And the same may we say also of the Mages and Soothsayers. They myght haue read, if they had not bene blynded by God. Daniel doth first of all therefore rehearse those fower wordes, mene, mene, tekel, vpharsin. Then doth he ⟨image 102⟩interprete thē. One word is twise rehearsed, Mene. Some do thus diuide it, that both the yeares of the life of ye king, and also the tyme of the kynges raygne was numbred. But this subtilty semeth not substantiall. Therefore I thinke that this word was added twise for cōfirmation: as though the Prophet should say, that the number was now fulfilled. For in accomptes it is easy to fayle, as the prouerbe is. Wherefore that Beltsazar myght vnderstand that hys lyfe and hys kingdome was now at an end, God doth affirme that the number is full and perfect: as though he should say, that there should not be added one minute of an houre to the terme appointed. And thus doth Daniel hym selfe interprete the same God (sayth he) hath numbred thy kingdome, that is, God hath appoynted and determined an end of thy kingdome, so that it must néedes come to an end because the tyme is accomplished.