Commentary on Prov Ecc SoS Isa Jer Lam Eze Dan, Daniel · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Ver. 1. IT pleaſed Darius] Chald. Pulobrum fuit coram Dario. Order, he knew, muſt be obſerved, or the kingdom could not continue. Himſelf alſo was ancient and needed Aſſiſtants. It was honour and work enough for him illos judicare qu…s conſtituit judices aliorum (as Petr. Bleſenſis ſaith that our Henry the ſecond did) to judge thoſe whom he had made Judges of others. The great Turk doth ſo to this day, whence few of his Grandees (his Viſiers eſpecially or chief Officers) dye in their beds.
An hundred and twenty Princes] For his 120 Provinces, which afterward came to be 127, Eſth. 1.1. Monarchs will ever be adding.
Ver. 2. And over theſe three Preſidents] Triumvires five tres Rationalet, three to whom the reſt ſhould Audit, and be accountable.
And the King ſhould have no dammage] In his rights, and in his revenues, which were, ſaith Herodotus, yearly fourteen thouſand five hundred and threeſcore Eubojan talents, raiſed out of the ſeveral ſatrapies.
Ver. 3. Then this Daniel was preferred above the Preſidents] Chald. He became a conquerour over thoſe Exarehes: ſo that he might have been called as Charles the Great once was, Pater Orbis, the Worlds Father; or as Titus, the Worlds Darling; Orbis deliciae. Mirabiliae mundi.or as Othe the third, the Worlds wonder. He was indeed no leſſe: and that, Darius well found by him. Whether he took him with him into Media, as Hierom, out of Joſephus, relateth, I have not to ſay. If he did, it ſeemeth that after the death of Darius, he returned again to Babylon, and there ſerved King Cyrus, verſe 28.
Becauſe an excellent ſpirit was in him] Not only of Prophecy, but of prudence, juſtice, zeal, and other virtues, which, if a Governour want, he is as a Sun without light, a bird without wings, a Maſter of a ſhip without an helm, &c.
And the King thought to ſee him over the whole realm] Thus dignity waiteth upon deſert, and envy upon dignity, which made David love his hook the better after he had ſeen the Court; and Daniel was never fond of this great preferment whereby, for his own particular, he got nothing, niſi ut turbatior viveres, occupatior interiret, Feriunt ſummos fulmina montes.(as he ſaid) but vanity and vexation of ſpirit. High-ſeats are never but uneaſy: neither want there thoſe, that are lifting at them, and labouring to overturn them.
Ver. 4. Then the Preſidents and Princes ſought] Chald. Were ſeeking, they made it their buſineſſe ſo to do. Envious men are alwayes in excubiis, ſet in their watch, to obſerve where they may faſten their fangs, and do moſt miſchief. See Prov. 27.4. with the Note.
But they could find none occaſion] His innocency thratled their envy, and made them, ſith they could not come at his heart, to feed upon their own.
Nor fault] Neque in facto, nec in ſigno: and yet they waited for his halting, as Pſal. 38.16, 17. and watched as eagerly for it, as a dog doth for a bone. A blameleſſe behaviour diſappointeth malice, and maketh it drink up the moſt part of its own venom.
Foraſmuch as he was faithful] Homo quadratus, a ſquare-dealing man, and ſuch as againſt whom lay no juſt exception. Homo virtuti ſimillimus, as Paterculus ſaith of Cato Major, A man as like Virtue her ſelf as could be poſſible.
Ver. 5. Then ſaid theſe men] But whatſoever they ſaid, Daniel ſaid Ego ſic vivam ut nemo eis credat, My life ſhall be a real refutation of their lyes.
Againſt this Daniel] This was the beſt language they could afford him: ſo, Behold this dreamer, ſaid Joſeph's brethren; and This fellow, ſaid the Phariſees of Chriſt: and This Peſt, ſaid they of Paul, that moſt precious man upon earth. In envy is ſteeped the venom of all other vices.
Except we find it againſt him concerning the Law of his God] Whereof Daniel was both a ſtrict obſerver in himſelf, and a zealous preſerver in others. Religion then was the quarrel, and all the fault they could find with him, Novum crimen C. Caeſar, &c. and yet no new accuſation neither. The firſt man that ever dyed, dyed for religion: and ſtill All that will live godly in Chriſt Jeſus (if they will needs do it, and be ſet upon't) ſhall ſuffer perſecution.
Omnia cum liceant, non licet eſſe pium.
Ver. 6. Then theſe Preſidents and Princes aſſembled together to the King] Or, thro…ged tumultuouſly, as reſolved to have that they came for. James and John, from the word here uſed, are called Sons of thunder, Marke 3.17. It ſeemeth theſe men came to the King with a buſtle,Filii fremitus ſive fragor…. and a rattle, to affright him into a conſent to their motion.
King Darius, live for ever] This was to ſprinkle him with Court-holy-water, as they ſay.
Ver. 7. All the Preſidents of the Kingdom] Not all neither: for Daniel would ſooner have dyed a thouſand deaths, then have voted ſuch a groſſe impiety. But he was one of the moſt that knew leaſt of the Council, and it was he againſt whom hac endebatur faba, this plot was laid; though it proved at laſt to be againſt themſelves.
The Governours and the Princes, the Counſellors and the Captains] A rabble of rebels conſpiring againſt heaven. Non numeranda ſunt ſuffragia, ſed expendenda.
To eſtabliſh a royal ſtatute] But a very irreligious and injurious one: the like whereunto was that prohibition in France of Henry the third,Polan. in locum. Heyl. Geog. that it ſhould not be lawful for houſholders to pray with their families: and that of the Jeſuites at Dola forbidding the common people to ſay any thing at all of God, either in good ſort or in bad.
That whoſoever ſhall ask a petition of any god or man] What not of their own gods? nor yet of Cyrus, who was compartner with Darius in the Kingdom? But like enough theſe complotters might think hereby the rather to ingratiate with the old dotard Darius who feared the virtue and valour of his Nephew and colleague Cyrus; and would ſay with tears, as Xenophon reporteth, that Cyrus was more glorious then he, and had more applauſe of the people.
Ver. 8. Now O King eſtabliſh the decree] Confirm it, that it may receive the force of Law.
According to the Law of the Medes and Perſians that altereth not] This was too much to be given to any law made by man, ſo mutable a creature. I have read of a people whoſe laws laſted in force but for three dayes at utmoſt: This was a fault in the other extream. The Perſians laws were therefore irrepealable, becauſe they worſhipped Truth for a goddeſſe, to whom Inconſtancy and Change muſt needs be oppoſite and odious. But this was no good reaſon neither; unleſs the Lawmakers ſhall be ſuppoſed ſuch as cannot erre, nor will any thing unjuſt: which can be truely attributed to none but God only.
Ver. 9. Wherefore King Darius ſigned the writing] As well enough content to be ſo dignified, yea deified. So was Alexander the Great, Antiochus foreign Herod, Domitian, Dominus Deus noſter Papa: Vah ſcelus!
Ver. 10. Now when Daniel knew that the writing was ſigned] Which he knew not, belike, till it was proclaimed and publiſhed: and then, it may be, he did as much againſt it, as Latimer did herein like caſe, by writing his mind unto King Henry the eighth, after the Proclamation for aboliſhing Engliſh books. See his letter in the book of Martyrs, and marvel at his heroical boldneſſe and ſtoutneſſe;Act. & Mon. 1591. who as yet being no Biſhop, ſo freely and fearleſly adventuring his life to diſcharge his conſcience, durſt ſo boldly to ſo mighty a Prince, in ſuch a dangerous caſe, againſt the Kings law and Proclamation, ſet out in ſuch a terrible time, take upon him to write and to admoniſh, that which no counſellor durſt once ſpeak unto him, in defence of Chriſts Goſpel.
He went into his houſe] He left the Court (as no fit aire for piety to breath in) and get him home,Exeat Aul… qui v…lit eſſe pius. where he might more freely and comfortably converſe with his God. Tutiſſimus est qui rariſſime cum hominibus, plurimum cum Deo colloquitur, ſaith a good Divine: that is, he is ſafeſt, who ſpeaketh ſeldom with men, but oft with God.
And his windows being open in his chamber] This was his wont, belike, at other times: and now he would not break it, to the ſcandal of the weak, and the ſcorn of the wicked, who watched him, and would have charged him with diſſimulation. ſhould he have done otherwiſe. Say not therefore What needed he thus to have thruſt himſelf into obſervation? could he not have kept his conſcience to himſelf, and uſed his devotions in more ſecrecy? our Politick-Profeſſours and Neuter-paſſives indeed could and would have done ſo. But as Baſil anſwered once to him that blamed him for venturing too far for his friend, Non aliter aware didici, I never learned to love any otherwiſe: ſo might good Daniel here have done; his zeal for God would not ſuffer him to temporize, or play on both hands. It ſhall well appear to his greateſt enemies, that he is true to his Principles, and no flincher from his religion. His three companions were alike reſolved, chap. 3. and Paul, Act. 21.13. and Luther when to appear at Wormes, and many more that might here be mentioned.
Toward Jeruſalem] For the which he was now a petitioner, ſith the time to favour her, yea the ſet time was come, Pſal. 102.13. There alſo ſometime had ſtood the Temple, not without a promiſe of audience to prayers made in or toward that holy place, 1 King. 8.43. which alſo was a type of Chriſt, &c.
He kneeled upon his knees] Conſtantino the Great (as Euſebius telleth us) would have this as his portraiture, a man on his knees praying: to ſhew that that was his uſual practice and poſture.
Three times a day] At morning, noon, and night: thus conſtantly, beſide other times alſo upon emergent occaſions. All the power and policy of Perſia could not keep God and Daniel aſunder, no not for a few dayes, Philip. 3.20. Epheſ. 2.19. 'tis a part of our foreign our City-employment or ſpiritual-trading with God, to pray: and if prayer ſtand ſtill, the whole trade of godlineſs ſtandeth ſtill too. Clean Chriſtians therefore, typed by thoſe clean beaſts in the law, Levit. 11.3. muſt rightly part the hoof. rightly divide their time, giving a due ſhare thereof to either of their callings as Daniel did: ſanctifying both by prayer, and at hours of beſt leiſure, Pſal. 55.17.
And prayed and gave thanks before his God] Chald. Confeſſed, either his ſins, that he might get pardon thereof: or elſe Gods benefits, the glory whereof he thankfully returned unto him. Prayers and praiſes are like the double motion of the lungs. Let every breath praiſe the Lord.
As he did aforetime] An excellent cuſtome doubtleſſe and moſt worthy to be kept up:
Ariſt. Ethic. lib. 8. cap. 5.foreign.
Ver. 11. Then theſe men aſſembled] But for ill purpoſe: as did alſo our Saviours enemies, Luk. 22.6. and Stevens, Act. 7. the Popiſh Councels: at Rome they have a meeting weekly de propaganda fide, for the propagating of the Romiſh Religion, and aboliſhing of hereſie as they call it.
And found Daniel praying] The Sun ſhall ſooner ſtand ſtill in heaven, then Daniel give over to pray to his Father in heaven.
Ver. 12. Haſt thou not ſigned a decree?] But ſhould wickedneſſe be eſtabliſhed by a law? Pſal. 94.20.See on ver. 7. So in France there was publiſhed an edict whereby the people were forbidden on pain of death,D. Arrowſus. Tact. Sacr. p. 89. to have in their hou… any French book, wherein the leaſt mention was made of Jeſus Chriſt.
Ver. 13. That Daniel] He was principal preſident, and deſerved a better attribution then That Daniel; But ill will never ſpeaketh well of any.
Which is of the Captivity] This alſo is terminus diminuens, q. d. This royal ſlave, whom thou haſt preferred above us all, and haſt moreover ſome thoughts to ſet him over the whole realm, ver. 3. New men ſhall be much ſpighted. 'Twas therefore no ill counſel,
Fortunam reverenter habe quieunque rep…te
Auſon.Dives ab exili progrediere loco.
Regardeth not thee, O King] Chald. putteth no reſpect on thee. This is common, falſely to accuſe Gods moſt faithful ſervants as Antimagistratical, becauſe they refuſe to obey unlawful and impious decrees.
But maketh his petition three times a day] They ſay not to whom he made it, which might have holpen him much: for the King might conceive that he made it to ſome other man. 'Tis an evil office to omit ſuch circumſtances as may help the accuſed, 2 Sam. 16.3.
Ver. 14. Th… the King when he heard theſe words was ſore diſpleaſed with himſelf] As good reaſon he had: but Sero inquit Nero. Now he found himſelf circumvented by his wily flatterers: but why was he ſuch an Epimetheus or After-wit?
And ſet his heart on Daniel] But All-too-late. Lee caſſibus irretitus dixit, Si praeſciviſſem. The fools Had-I-wiſt ſhould be carefully prevented. To diſavow the willing of Daniels death, and to lay the blame upon his counſellors, is a poor ſhift of a weak Prince.
And laboured till the going down of the Sun] Alledging reaſons for Daniels deliverance: as that he was a loyal ſubject, an excellent Ruler, that the Decree was fraudulently wrung from the King, upon pretence of finding out falſe-hearted Subjects, that it was maliciouſly wreſted to the ruine of a right Patriot, &c. But no reaſon will rule unreaſonable and abſurd men as they are called,foreign. 2 Theſ. 3.2. men that have no Topicks, nor will hear of any, as the word there ſignifieth.
Congregaverunt ſe ſupra regem.Ver. 15. Then thoſe men aſſembled unto the King] Or, kept a ſtir with the King, from Pſal. 2.1. Doubtleſs, ſaith Broughton, Daniels ſpirit thought of David his fathers terms: ſo ver. 6. They came cluttering about the King.
Know O King that the law of the Medes and Perſians, &c.] This he knew as well as they: but they preſs him to do accordingly. So did thoſe Ignatian Boutefeaus in Germany, who in the year one thouſand five hundred eighty two caſt abroad this bloody Diſtich;
Ʋtere jure tuo, Caeſar, ſ…ctamquo Lutheri
Euſe, rotâ, ponto, funibus, igne nota.
Ver. 16. Then the King commanded, and they brought Daniel] Beſides and againſt his conſcience, Rex regendum ſe praebet impiis nebulonibus, the King yeeldeth to the importunity of theſe wretched Malignants, and condemneth an innocent: See Mat. 27.24. This maketh Calvin conclude ne micam quidem pictatis fuiſſe in h… r…g…, that there was no goodneſs at all in this King.
And caſt him into the den of Lions] So little aſſurance of a continued felicity is there to any Princes favourite: witneſs Joab, Abner, Haman, Calliſthenes, Sejanus, Ruffinus, Eutropius, Stilico, Alvarez de Luna, who told thoſe that admired his fortune and favour with the King of Caſtile, you do wrong to commend the building before it be finiſhed.
Now the King spake and ſaid unto Daniel] Many oppreſſing Land-lords, ſaith one, are like Darius that prayed God to help Daniel, but yet ſent him to the Lyons den. How many friends at a ſneez have we now-adayes? ſaith another: the moſt you can get of them is God bleſſe you, Christ help you.
Ver. 17. And a ſtone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den] To make all ſute, as they thought; and that there might be no privy packings with the keepers, for Daniels deliverance. But God had an holy hand in it for the greater manifeſtation of the miracle.
And the King ſealed it] Ne videlicet aliâ perimeretur morte ab inſidiatoribus, ſaith one, reſt the conſpirators, underſtanding that the Lyons did not meddle with him, ſhould ſome way elſe diſpatch him, as the Perſecutors dealt by ſome of the Martyrs.
That the purpoſe might not be changed concerning Daniel] The Latine interpreter hath it, Leſt any thing ſhould be done againſt Daniel: he feared not the Lyons ſo much as the men, ſaith the ordinary gloſſe there.
Ver. 18. Then the King went to his Palace and paſſed the night faſting] As good reaſon he had, for the love and loſſe of ſuch a Counſellor, whom he had unwittingly betrayed, but wittingly condemned; and now he is ſelf-condemned for ſo doing: his conſcience was perplexed for his injuſtice, ſo that he careth neither for meat, nor muſick.
Ver. 19. Then the King aroſe very early in the morning] He had lain all night on a bed of thornes through trouble of mind, and was glad to get up: eſpecially ſince ſleep (the Parentheſis of mens griefs and cares) was quite gone from him.
And went in haſte] Chald. with perturbation.
Ʋnto the den of Lyons] Quo veni… leo, Galatin. l. 5. c. 8.& liberavit leonem de ore leonis (ſay the Jew-doctours by a kind of riddle) whither came God and delivered this Cuer-de-lion out of the mouth of the Lyons.
Ver. 20. And when he came to the den, he cryed with a lamentable voyce] With a piteous diſtreſſed voice: far otherwiſe then did Daniel, ver. 21. who choſe rather to be caſt into the den of Lyons, then to carry about a Lyon in his boſom, an inraged conſcience, as did Darius here, and afterwards Theodoricus King of Italy, who had cauſed B…tius and Symmachus to be unjuſtly beheaded, but carried the horrour of it to his grave. How good is it therefore to keep the bird in the boſom alwayes ſinging as Daniel did; and as thoſe primitive Chriſtians, who choſe rather ad leonem projici quam ad leno…e…, to be thrown to Lyons without,Tertul. then to be left to luſts within, ſuch fleſhly luſts as war againſt the ſoul, 1 Pet. 2.11. againſt the peace of it principally.
Is thy God whom thou ſerveſt continually] A fair deal better then did Cardinal Wolſey, who yet, when he came in a morning out of his privy chamber, moſt commonly heard two Maſſes: and what buſineſſe ſoever he had in the day-time (when he was Lord Chancellour) he would not go to bed with any part of his ſervice unſaid, no not ſo much as one Collect. Nevertheleſs,The life and death of Cardinal Wolſey. p. 18. Semetipſum deteſtatus e…t quod Regi potius quam Deo placere ſtuduiſſet. Scult. when he was ſent for up by Henry the eighth to be put into the Tower, he bewailed himſelf and ſaid, that if he had been as careful to ſerve God, as he ever was to pleaſe the King, it would have been much better with him. To be a ſervant of the living God is an argument of ſa…cty, chap. 3.17.
Ver. 21. O King live for ever] Daniel doth not curſe the King (as ſome impatient ſpirits would have done, and as ſome think the damned in hell do God) but wiſheth him a long and happy life, vote amabili. He uſeth the ordinary form, but with a better mind. His wiſh of the Kings welfare was non in labris natum ſed in fibris, it was heartſp…ng, it was an holy prayer.
Ver. 22. My God hath ſent his Angel] Glad to be employed for the ſafety and ſervice of the Saints, Heb. 1.14. whence it is, that theſe heavenly courtiers delight more in their names of miniſtry (as Angels, watchers, &c.) then of dignity, as Principalities, Thrones, &c.
And hath ſhut the Lyons mouths] Though they were ſavage and hungerſtarved, yet Daniel was kept from the paws and jawes of theſe many fierce, and fell Lyons, by the power of god thorough faith, Heb. 11.33. How the Angel ſtopt the Lyons mouths, whether by the brightneſs of his preſence, or threatening them with his finger, Num. 22.27, 33. or by making a rumble amongſt them like that of an empty cart upon the ſtones,Ari…ot. Plin. or by preſenting unto them a light fire (which things Lyons are ſaid to be terrified with) or by cauſing in them a ſatiety, or by working upon their phantaſie, &c. we need not enquire. The Lord well knoweth how to deliver his 2 Pet. 2.9. and one way or other, will not faile to do it, Pſal. 34.19. Archimedes the great Mathematician was ſlain by a common ſouldier who was ſent for him, notwithſtanding that Marcellus the Roman General had given charge that he ſhould be ſpared. The Temple of Jeruſalem was burnt, though Titus the Emperour had commanded the contrary. When one told the Duke of Parma that he had ſhot Sir Philip Sidney, inſtead of a reward he curſed him for killing ſo incomparable a man, of whom, though an enemy, he heartily wiſhed that he had been preſerved: all that are dear to God are ſure to be protected: he will rather work miracles, then they ſhall be forſaken, Jon. 2.10.
And alſo before thee O King have I done no hurt] Though I have not obeyed thine edict, to the wounding of my conſcience. It was therefore an unadviſed ſpeech of Philip King of Spain, who ſaid that he had rather have no ſubjects then Proteſtant ſubjects: and out of a blind bloody zeal he ſuffered his eldeſt ſon Charles to be murthered by the cruel inquiſition, becauſe he ſeemed to favour the Lutherans. How well might this young Prince have ſaid as here, Againſt thee, O King, have I done no hurt?
Ver. 23. And commanded that they ſhould take Daniel up out of the den] Pull him up with cords, as they did Jeremy in like caſe, chap. 38.
Mos priſcus Chriſtianorum fuit ut in ſuis ſepulchris inter alia Reſurrectionis ſymbola Danielem in lacu inter leones ſtantem ſculperent. A Lapide in loc.So Daniel was taken up out of the den] A lively type of Chriſts reſurrection from the pit. So was Joſeph taken from priſon, and made Lord of Egypt: Sampſon, breaking the bars and carrying away the gates of Gaza: David, ſo oft oppreſſed by Saul, and yet exalted to the Kingdom: Jonas, his being drawn out of many waters, Mat. 12.39.
Becauſe he beleeved in his God] Of ſuch force is faith, of ſuch power is prayer: for it may well be thought that he prayed hard (with David, Pſal. 22.21.) Save me from the Lions mouth: ſo will I declare thy name unto my brethren. The prayer of faith ſhall ſave the afflicted: and queſtionleſſe, juſtifying faith is not beneath miraculous, in the ſphere of its own activity, and where it hath the warrant of Gods Word. Let ſuch as deſire a ſpecial providence, believe, wait, and walk uprightly, 2 Chron. 16.9.
Ver. 24. And the King commanded, and they brought theſe men which had accuſed Daniel] Chald. which had accuſed accuſations againſt Daniel. Now they ſhall lick of the ſame whip, foreign. Heſiod.and find (to their ſmall comfort) the truth of that divine proverb. Whoſe diggeth a pit, ſhall fall therein, &c. Prov. 26.27. See Eccleſ. 10.8. Pſal. 7.16. with the Notes.
They caſt them into the den of lions] A juſt and proper puniſhment, yet not executed without too much ſeverity, as ſome think, becauſe their wives and children were caſt in with them. But for that, others ſay that as theſe were part of their goods; ſo, by conſent at leaſt, they were partakers of their crimes, and therefore juſtly periſhed with them.
Heb. 10.31.And the lyons had the maſtery, &c.] It is a much more fearful thing to fall into the puniſhing hands of the living God. Such ſhall have the cauls of their hearts torn in ſunder,Pſal. 50.22. &c. Oh conſider this ye that forget God, ſeaſt he tear you in pieces, &c.
Ver. 25. Then King Darius wrot] See on chap. 4.1.
Ver. 26. I make a decree] It is the honour of Princes to make laws for the maintenance of religion, 2 Chron. 30.4, 5.
And his Kingdom, that which ſhall not be deſtroyed] Daniels dialect touching Chriſt and his Kingdom, chap. 2.44. & 7.14, 27. By converſing with that good man Darius had learend ſomething: as thoſe that walk much in the Sun are apt to be tann'd and diſcoloured.
Ver. 27. He delivereth and reſcueth] By this and the foregoing Verſe it may be evidently ſeen, that Darius was acquainted with Nebuchadnezzar's two dreams, and affected with them.
Ver. 28. So this Daniel proſpered] And ſtill ſollicited the Churches cauſe.
And in the reign of Cyrus the Perſian] Under whom he affronted the Counſellors hired againſt the returned Jews, Ezra 4.5. with Dan. 10.1, 3. He lived alſo under Cambyſes, but was out of credit with that rakeſhame.