A17641:494
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 6 › 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.
Now he saith, that the windows were open toward Jerusalem. And it may be demanded whether it were necessary for Daniel to open the windows? for some man may object that he did this of some gross opinion. For if God do fill the heaven and the earth, what needed he to open the windows ⟨p. 100⟩towards Jerusalem? But there is no doubt but that the prophet did thus stir up him self to more fervent prayer by this help and means. He prayed then for the deliverance of the people: and when he looked towards Jerusalem, that sight was as a spur whereby his mind might be the more inflamed. The Prophet did not then open the windows in respect of God, as though he should more easily be heard if there were an open way through the air betwixt his house and Judea, but he rather regarded him self and did help his own infirmity. Now if the holy Prophet did stand need of this aid who was so diligent in prayer, we must consider that our slothful infirmity standeth need of many moe helps at this day. Let us learn therefore when we do feel our selves to be over slothful & cold unto prayer, that we must gather all helps and aides which may waken our diligence and may redress our sloth which we do feel in our selves. This then was the purpose of the Prophet when he opened his windows towards Jerusalem.
Now he sayth, that the wyndowes were open toward Ierusalem. And it may be demaunded whether it were necessary for Daniel to open the windowes? for some man may obiect that he did this of some grosse opinion. For if God do fill the heauen and the earth, what neded he to open the wyndowes ⟨p. 100⟩towards Ierusalem? But there is no doubt but that the prophet dyd thus styrre vp him selfe to more feruent prayer by this helpe and meanes. He prayed then for the deliueraunce of the people: and when he looked towardes Ierusalem, that sight was as a spurre wherby his mynde might be the more inflamed. The Prophet dyd not then open the wyndowes in respect of God, as though he should more easily be heard if there were an opē way through the ayre betwixt his house and Iudea, but he rather regarded hym selfe and dyd helpe his owne infirmitie. Now if the holy Prophet dyd stand nede of this ayde who was so diligent in prayer, we must consider that our slouthfull infirmitie standeth nede of many moe helpes at this day. Let vs learne therfore when we do féele our selues to be ouer slouthfull & colde vnto prayer, that we must gather all helpes and aydes which may wayken our diligence and may redresse our slouth which we do féele in our selues. This then was the purpose of the Prophet when he opened his windowes towardes Ierusalem.