Commentary on Daniel, Chapter 3 · Moral observations
6. Morall obseruations.
1. Obseruat. The mutable state of religion in kingdomes.
Vers. 1. Nebuchadnezzar, &c. made an image. Not onelyonly the fauour of the king was mutable, for whom he lately extolled, he now adiudgeth to the fire, but his minde was variable concerning religion: he which before confessed the God of Israel, now setteth vp idolatrie in despight of God. Thus in the time of the kings of Iudah religion often altered, and changed, sometime the true worship of God flourished, as vnderunder Hezekiah and Iosias, but their wicked sonnes after them set vp idolatrie, Bulling. Thus was it in England, King Edward maintained the Gospel, Queene Marie brought in the Masse againe: Thus there is no certaintie of any thing in this world: the Church is like the Moone, sometime encreasing, and againe sometime decreasing: which teacheth vsus, that the members of the Church, should in the prosperitie thereof looke for change: that they may not be vnprepared, but say with Iob, the thing which I feared is come vponupon me.Iob. 3. 25.
2. Obseruat. That not eueryevery one, which vponupon a sudden passion confesseth God, is truely conuerted.
This notably appeareth here in Nebuchadnezzar, who before beeing astonished at the interpretation of his dreame, confessed the true God, and yet after this he setteth vp an image: So Herod did reuerence Iohn, and heard him gladly, and did many things, yet was he but an hypocrite: We must not then be hastie to giuegive approbation of such, as doe shewe some sodaine fruites and effects of religion, nor be too forward to commit our selues to their trust, but we must expect a while, and we shall soone see them to returne vntounto their old guise, Po. to this purpose saith the wiseman, be that praiseth his friend with a loud voice, (that is, without cause) it shall be counted to him as a curse, Prou. 27. 14.
3. Obseruat. We ought rather to die, then to denie our religion.
As these three faithfull seruants of God are willing not onelyonly to loose their honour and place of dignitie, but their life also rather then to dishonour God. Some write that there is a certaine little beast called the mouse of Armenia, which will rather die, then be defiled with any filth or vncleane thing, in so much, as if her hole be desmeared with durt, she will rather choose to be taken, then to be polluted: Such ought the seruants of God to be, to endure any thing, rather then to corrupt and defile their consciences, Pin. Such was the excellent resolution of S. Paul, Act. 21. 13. I am readie not to be bound onelyonly, but to die at Ierusalem for the name of the Lord Iesus.
4. Obseruat. We must obediently submit our selues, and all we hauehave to the Lords good will and pleasure.
Vers. 18. Our God, whom we serue, it able to deliuer vsus, but if not, &c. Here these holy men doe commit themselues to Gods prouidence, whether he deliuer them or no, they are contented; they will not be vnfaithfull: they will not condition with God, as though their present deliuerance should be the reward of their seruice: but they referre themselues wholly to his will and pleasure: as Theodoret excellently saith, gubernatori nostre, quocunque ei libuerit, nauem dirigendam committimus, we doe commit our barke to our Pilate to be guided, which way it pleaseth him, Perer. Act. 21. 14.So the disciples answ…red Paul when they sawe him so resolute, the will of God be done.
5. Obseruat. Of the vtilitie of affliction.
Vers. 25. I see walking in the middes of the fire, and they hauehave no hurt. As this fierie fornace hurt not the bodies of these three men, so affliction is profitable, not hurtfull to Gods children: thereby their patience is tried, and God glorified: like as the most wholesome medicines are most vnpleasant, so affliction, though profitable to the soule, is vnsauourie to the flesh, Pintus. So the Prophet Dauid saith, Psal. 119. 71. It is good for me that I hauehave beene afflicted.
6. Obseruat. Of the contentment of Gods children in the middes of their affliction.
Vers. 26. As here these holy men would not come forth of the fierie fornace vntill Nebuchadnezzar called them, but had their comfort and contentment in God: so the seruants of God in their affliction doe patiently expect and waite the ende and terme, which God hath set for their triall, Polan. as Iob excellently saith, cap. 13. 15. Lo, though he slay me, yet will I put my trust in him: and Dauid saith, Psal. 39. I held my peace because it was thy doing. Such comfort did the holy martyrs finde in their greatest torments, that they made no hast to come out of them, nay they most desirously ranne vntounto them.