A17641:83
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 2 › 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.
They excuse themselves that this belongeth not to their art, neither that any king ever commanded any such matter. But the king receiveth none excuse, for God had stirred him to punish these Mages, Chaldees, and Conjurers, as the most wicked deceivers of the people: and by this means also he would have the excellent spirit that was in Daniel more known and regarded. Where they say that it was a rare thing. They do mean that this is strange, that the king should have such a vision sent from heaven, and that he should not remember it: wherefore they think it some secret mystery and knowledge that passeth their capacity, only pertaining to the Angels, which alway do see Gods will and pleasure: or to their Gods whom they did worship many in number. For all the heathen Idolaters had alway this opinion that there was one high God above all, and that there was a number of lesser Gods which ruled under him: and so every man after his own fantasy feigned him a God above in the air. Wherefore they being men in the flesh can not enter into the heavens (say they) to see all secretes. This excuse will not serve, for the king rageth more and more.
They excuse themselues that this belongeth not to their arte, neither that any king euer commaunded any such matter. But the king receiueth none excuse, for God had stirred hym to punish these Mages, Chaldees, and Coniurers, as the most wicked deceauers of the people: and by this meanes also he would haue the excellēt spirit that was in Daniel more known and regarded. Where they say that it was a rare thing. They do meane that this is straunge, that the king should haue such a vision sent from heauen, and that he should not remember it: wherefore they thinke it some secret mistery and knowledge that passeth their capacitie, onely perteining to the Angels, which alway do sée Gods will and pleasure: or to their Gods whom they did worship many in number. For all the heathen Idolaters had alway this opiniō that there was one high God aboue all, and that there was a number of lesser Gods which ruled vnder hym: and so euery man after his owne fantasie fayned hym a God aboue in the ayer. Wherefore they being men in the flesh can not enter into the heauens (say they) to sée all secretes. This excuse will not serue, for the king rageth more and more.