A17641:454
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.
Although here God speak but to one king, and the writing was set before his eyes: yet may we gather a general doctrine hereof, that God hath determined a certain time to all kingdoms.1 The scripture testifieth the same of every one of our lives. If God then have appointed to every man his days, much more may it be said of public Empires and kingdoms, because they are of greater importance. Therefore let us know that not only kings do live or die, but that kingdoms are changed also by Gods appointment (as is said before) and that they are so set up by God, that he appointeth them also their certain end. And hereof should we take comfort when we see tyrants deal so outrageously that there is no measure in their lusts and cruelly. When then they do so rage as though they would mix heaven and earth together, let us remember this doctrine: that their years are numbered. God knoweth how long it is expedient for them to reign: he can not be deceived. For unless he did know it to be profitable for the church and his elect that the tyrants should rage for a time, doubtless he would straight ways bridle them and pluck them down: but because he hath appointed the number ⟨p. 90⟩from the beginning, let us know that the full time of vengeance is not yet come, as long as he suffereth them to abuse so licentiously their rule and power granted unto them of God.
Although here God speake but to one king, and the writing was set before hys eyes: yet may we gather a generall doctrine hereof, that God hath determined a certayne time to all kingdomes.1 The scripture testifieth the same of euery one of our liues. If God then haue appointed to euery mā hys dayes, much more may it be sayd of publike Empyres and kingdomes, because they are of greater importance. Therefore let vs know that not onely kinges do lyue or die, but that kyngdomes are chaunged also by Gods appointment (as is sayd before) and that they are so set vp by God, that he appointeth them also their certayne end. And hereof should we take comfort when we sée tyrauntes deale so outragiously that there is no measure in their lustes and cruelly. When then they do so rage as though they would mixe heauen and earth together, let vs remember this doctrine: that their yeares are numbred. God knoweth how long it is expedient for them to raigne: he can not be deceaued. For vnles he did know it to be profitable for the church and his elect that ye tyrantes should rage for a time, doubtles he would straight wayes bridle them and plucke them downe: but because he hath appointed the number