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…

Here Daniel declareth the over late repentance of the king: because although he was in great mourning, yet he did not correct his fault. And this cometh to pass in many which are not altogether hardened in the contempt of God and wickedness, but are drawn thereunto by others: who though they be sorry for their faults, yet go they forth in them. Would to God there were more rare examples of this kind of sin: but we see it every where before our eyes.

Here Daniel declareth the ouer late repentaunce of the king: because although he was in great mournyng, yet he did not correct his fault. And this commeth to passe in many which are not altogether hardened in the contempt of God and wickednes, but are drawen thereunto by others: who though they be sory for their faultes, yet go they forth in thē. Would to God there were more rare examples of this kind of sinne: but we sée it euery where before our eyes.

Wherefore Darius is set forth here unto us as one in a mean state betwixt the wicked reprobates, and the upright and constant worshippers of God. The wicked doubt not to provoke God against them, and they are dissolute in their lusts and concupiscence, casting of all shame and fear. But they that are governed by the fear of God, although they suffer great battles with the flesh, yet do they bridle themselves and restrain their wicked lusts. There be other of a mean state (as I have said) which are not yet hardened in their malice, neither do delight in their corruptions: yet do they follow them still as though they were bound with cords. Of this sort was Darius. For where he ought constantly to have reproved the false accusation of the nobles, and should boldly have withstand them, and rebuked them that they so abused his gentleness: when he saw himself entangled by them, he was so far from so doing, that he rather obeyed their fury. In the mean time he mourneth in his palace, he abstaineth from meat and all delights. Thus he uttereth that this wickedness did not please him, which yet he himself had taken upon him do do.

Wherefore Darius is set forth here vnto vs as one in a meane state betwixt the wicked reprobates, and the vpright and constant worshippers of God. The wicked doubt not to prouoke God against them, and they are dissolute in their lustes and concupiscence, casting of all shame and feare. But they that are gouerned by the feare of God, although they suffer great battayles with the flesh, yet do they bridle themselues and restrayne their wicked lustes. There be other of a meane state (as I haue sayd) which are not yet hardened in their malice, neither do delite in their corruptions: yet do they folow thē still as though they were bound with cordes. Of this sort was Darius. For where he ought constantly to haue reproued the false accusation of the nobles, and should boldly haue withstand them, and rebuked them that they so abused hys gentlenes: when he saw himselfe entangled by them, he was so farre from so doing, that he rather obeyed their fury. In the meane tyme he mourneth in his palace, he abstayneth from meate and all delites. Thus he vttereth that this wickednes did not please hym, which yet he himselfe had taken vppon him do do.