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…

Now Daniel declareth that he was endued with the strength of the spirit of God that he might offer his life unto God as a sacrifice: because he knew that there was no hope of pardon left him if he had been found to have violated the kings commandment. He knew also that the king himself should not be free, although he would pardon him, even as it came to pass afterward. Seeing then that death was before the Prophets eyes, he had rather go unto it willingly, then cease from his duty in religion. We must note that here is nothing spoken of the inward worshipping of God, but of the outward profession. If Daniel had been forbidden to pray, this fortitude might seem to be necessary wherewith he was endued: but now many may think that he was in jeopardy without any great cause, when he did set himself forth to death, whereas he was only restrained from ⟨image 111⟩the outward profession.

Now Daniel declareth that he was endued with the strength of the spirit of God that he might offer hys life vnto God as a sacrifice: because he knew that there was no hope of pardon left hym if he had bene found to haue violated the kinges cōmaundement. He knew also that the king hymselfe should not be frée, although he would pardon him, euen as it came to passe afterward. Seing then that death was before the Prophetes eyes, he had rather go vnto it willingly, then cease from his duty in religion. We must note that here is nothing spoken of the inward worshipping of God, but of the outward profession. If Daniel had bene forbidden to pray, this fortitude might séeme to be necessary wherewith he was endued: but now many may thinke that he was in ieoperdy without any great cause, whē he dyd set himself forth to death, whereas he was onely restrayned frō ⟨image 111⟩the outward profession.

But because Daniel doth not here declare his own virtue, but the spirit speaketh by his mouth, we must mark that this boldness of mind pleased God in the holy Prophet: and his deliverance doth declare how greatly his Godly fact was allowed, in that he had rather to renounce his own life then to change any thing of his usual custom in serving of God. We do know that this is the chief sacrifice which God requireth, even to pray unto God. For we do testify thereby, that he is the author and giver of all good things unto us: and again we do give a testimony of our faith whiles we fly unto him, and cast all our cares into his bosom, and do offer unto him our requests and desires. Seeing therefore that prayer hath the chief office in the worship and service of God, doubtless it was of no small importance, that the king forbade that any man should pray unto God: for this was a manifest & over gross denial of religion. And hereby do we gather again how blind the pride of this king was, whiles he could subscribe unto their wicked and filthy decree: again how greatly the nobles raged, who that they might destroy Daniel, went about as much as in them lay, to destroy all religion and to pluck down God from heaven. For what remaineth, when men think that they can want the help of God, and so have no care of God at all? We know that unless God do strengthen us every moment with his power, we are easily brought to nought. When the king then did forbid all manner of prayer for a whole month, this was (as I have said) to require of every man to deny God. Therefore Daniel could not obey the decree without great injury unto God and falling from religion, because this prayer is the chief sacrifice that God requireth. Wherefore it is no marvel though Daniel did boldly stand against this cursed decree. And concerning his profession, it was necessary that he should testify before men, that he did stand steadfastly in the worship of God. For if he had changed any thing of his usual order, it had been after a