The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Thus we see how God began, even almost in the beginning of their Captivity, to notify his name, to multiply his knowledge, and set forth as well his power, as his wisdom, and true worshipping, by those that were taken prisoners; yea, that were despised, and of all men contemned, So that the name and fear of the God of Abraham, was never before notified to so many Realms and Nations. This wondrous work of God proceeded from one Empire to another: For Daniel, being promoted to great honour by Darius King of Persians and Medes, falleth into a desperate danger;¹ For he was committed to prison among Lyons, because that he was deprehended, breaking the Kings Injunction; not that the King desired the destruction of Gods servants, but because the corrupt Idolaters, that in hatred of Daniel had procured that Law to be made, urged the King against his Nature; but God by his Angel, did stop the Lyons mouths, and so preserved his servant: Which considered with the sudden destruction of Daniels enemies, by the same Lyons, King Darius, besides his own confession, wrote to all people, tongues, and nations after this form; It is decreed by me, That in all the dominions of my Kingdom, men shall fear and reverence the God of Daniel, because he is the living God, abiding for ever; whose Kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion remaineth, who saveth and delivereth, and showeth signs and wonders in Heaven and in Earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the Lyons.

Thus we see how God began, even almost in the beginning of their Captivity, to notifie his name, to multiply his knowledge, and set forth as well his power, as his wisedom, and true worshipping, by those that were taken prisoners; yea, that were despised, and of all men contemned, So that the name and fear of the God of Abraham, was never before notified to so many Realmes and Nations. This wondrous work of God proceeded from one Empire to another: For Daniel, being promoted to great honour by Darius King of Persians and Medes, falleth into a desperate danger;¹ For he was committed to prison among Lyons, because that he was deprehended, breaking the Kings Injunction; not that the King desired the destruction of Gods servants, but because the corrupt Idolaters, that in hatred of Daniel had procured that Law to be made, urged the King against his Nature; but God by his Angel, did stop the Lyons mouths, and so preserved his servant: Which considered with the sudden destruction of Daniels enemies, by the same Lyons, King Darius, besides his own confession, wrote to all people, tongues, and nations after this form; It is decreed by me, That in all the dominions of my Kingdom, men shall fear and reverence the God of Daniel, because he is the living God, abiding for ever; whose Kingdom shall not be destroyed, and his dominion remaineth, who saveth and delivereth, and sheweth signes and wonders in Heaven and in Earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the Lyons.