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…

There is no doubt but this was done by the counsel of God, that the nobles should seal the stone with their signets, whereby the mouth of the den was shut, to the intent that the miracle should be the more manifest. For when on the ⟨image 119⟩next day the king came, the seals were whole, that is, the signets did remain perfect. Hereby it appeareth that the servant of God was saved, not by mans cunning, but by the help and power of God. In the mean season we see how boldly the nobles compelled the king to all their purposes. For he might seem to have done more then enough, when he delivered unto them a faithful man that was dear unto him, and when he commanded him to be cast into the den of Lyons: yet they be not content with this tractableness of the king that is so easily entreated, but they do force one thing further, that is, that the mouth of the den should be shut: then do they all seal the stone, lest any man should take Daniel away.

There is no doubt but this was done by the counsell of God, that ye nobles should seale the stone with their signets, wherby the mouth of the denne was shut, to the intent that the miracle should be the more manifest. For when on the ⟨image 119⟩next day the king came, the seales were whole, that is, the signets did remaine perfect. Hereby it appeareth that the seruaunt of God was saued, not by mans cunning, but by the helpe and power of God. In the meane season we sée how boldely the nobles compelled the king to all their purposes. For he might seme to haue done more then enough, when he deliuered vnto them a faithfull man that was deare vnto him, and whē he commaunded him to be cast into the denne of Lyons: yet they be not content with this tractablenes of the king that is so easily entreated, but they do force one thing further, that is, that the mouth of the denne should be shut: then do they all seale the stone, lest any man should take Daniel away.

We see then when liberty is once taken away, there is no end: especially when any man is made a servant or slave by his own fault, or hath given him self up to the will of wicked men. For at the first so great a bondage shall not prevail, that he which seemeth to be free, should be compelled to do this or that, or what soever is commanded: but when he hath once given him self to bondage and slavery (as I have said even now) he is compelled to sin again and again, and without end and measure. For example: if any man have declined and fallen from his duty either by the fear of man or by flattery, or any other corrupt affection, he will agree to this thing or that, when he shall not be only entreated but by importunity compelled: but when he hath once altogether abandoned his liberty (as I have said) he shall be compelled even to admit most shameful things at every mans pleasure. Let a man be a pastor or preacher in the Church, let him once decline of the one side or the other through ambition or the like vice: he that hath brought him so far, will come to him the second time and say: what? darest thou deny me this? have not I obtained of thee yesterday and the other day this and that? So shall he be compelled the second time to trespass for his favour to whom he hath bound him self, and the third time shall he be compelled to