Commentary on Daniel Chapters 1-12 John Calvin (continued)
DANIEL
sins, because he might obtain some pardon, even if he had paid the penalty, since not even a single day had been allowed out of the seven years. Yet this was a great progress, if the king had at last humbled himself before God, so as to be in a fit state for receiving the pardon which had been promised. For as a certain time had been fixed beforehand, or at least shewn by the Prophet, hence it would have profited the king, if through wishing to appease his judge he had prepared his mind for obtaining pardon. This doctrine was therefore in every way useful, because the same reason avails with us. We ought always to be prepared to suffer God's chastisements; yet it is no slight or common alleviation of our sufferings, when we so submit ourselves to God, as to be persuaded of his desire to be propitious to us, when he sees us dissatisfied with ourselves, and heartily detesting our transgressions.
PRAYER. Grant, Almighty God, that we may learn to bear patiently all adverse misfortunes, and know that thou exercisest towards us the duties of a judge, as often as we are afflicted in this world. Thus may we prevent thy wrath, and so condemn ourselves with true humility, that trusting in thy pity we may always flee to thee, relying upon the mediation of thy only-begotten Son, which thou hast provided for us. Grant, also, that we may beg pardon of thee, and resolve upon a true repentance, not with vain and useless fictions, but by true and serious proofs, cultivating true charity and faith among ourselves, and testifying in this way our fear of thy name, that thou mayest be truly glorified in us by the same our Lord. — Amen.
Lecture Twenty-first. Daniel 4:28-32 28. All this came upon the king Nebuchadnezzar. 28. Hoc totum impletum fuit, vel, incidit, super Nebuchadnezer regem 29. At the end of twelve months he walked in the palace of the kingdom of Babylon.
29. In fine mensiron duodeeim, 227 in palatio regni, quod est in Babylone, deambulabat.
30. The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
30. Loquutus est rex et dixit, An non haec est Babylon magna, quam ego aedificavi in domum regni, 228 in robore fortitudinis meae, et in pretium, vel, excellentiam, decoris mei?
31. While the word was in the king's mouth, there fell a voice from heaven, saying, O king Nebuchadnezzar, to thee it is spoken; The kingdom is departed from thee:
31. Adhuc sermo erat in ore regis, 229 vox e coelis cecidit, Tibi dicunt, rex
227That is, after twelve months. — Calvin. 228That is, that it may be a royal seat. — Calvin. 229That is, when the speech was in the king's mouth. — Calvin.