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…

Wherefore Daniel although he did not call together the Chaldees with sound of trumpet so oft as he would pray, but made his prayers and supplications in the chamber as he was wont: yet did he not dissemble as though he had forgotten his religion, when he seeth that his faith is tried and that he is proved whether he will remain constantly therein or no. For he plainly expresseth, that he came home after that he did know that the decree was signed. Doubtless if he had been called unto that consultation, he would not there have holden his peace. But the residue of the nobles did craftily shut him forth that he could not be at it: and they thought that the remedy should be to late or none at all, like as he him self did think that he should dye. Wherefore if he had been called to the counsel by the king, he would there have done his duty and would boldly have treated upon it. But because the decree was now signed, and he could not admonish the king, he went into his house. This is to be noted that we may know that the kings counsellors can not be excused by any means, which of purpose absent them selves from consultations when they see that they can not speak their minds without some danger, and think that they have done enough towards God, so that they give no voice but keep silence. Howbeit this faint stomach can not be excused by any means. And Daniels example assuredly can not serve them: because (as we have said) he was shut out by the craft and malice of the nobles, that he could not come in place to admonish the king in time as he was wont.

Wherfore Daniel although he did not call together the Chaldees with sound of trumpet so oft as hée would pray, but made his prayers and supplications in the chamber as he was wont: yet did he not dissemble as though he had forgotten his religion, when he séeth that his faith is tryed and that he is proued whether he will remaine cōstantly therin or no. For he playnely expresseth, that he came home after that he dyd know that the decrée was signed. Doubtles if he had bene called vnto that consultation, he would not there haue holden his peace. But the residue of the nobles dyd craftely shut hym forth that he could not be at it: and they thought that the remedy should be to late or none at all, like as he hym selfe dyd thinke that he should dye. Wherfore if he had bene called to the coūsell by the kyng, he would there haue done his duty and would boldly haue treated vppon it. But because the decrée was now signed, and he could not admonish the kyng, he went into his house. This is to be noted that we may know that the kynges counsellers can not be excused by any meanes, which of purpose absent them selues from consultations when they sée that they can not speake their mindes without some daunger, and thinke that they haue done enough towardes God, so that they gyue no voyce but kéepe silence. Howbeit this faynt stomake can not be excused by any meanes. And Daniels example assuredly can not serue thē: because (as we haue sayd) he was shut out by the craft and malice of the nobles, that he could not come in place to admonish the kyng in tyme as he was wont.