gift were especially called and sent to that ende to prophesie and in this sense onely the Iewes hold neither Dauid nor Daniel to be Prophets 2. Theoderet doth simply reprehend the Iewes for denying Daniel to be a Prophet and this booke to be any of the propheticall writings so also Iunius affirmeth that the Iewes denie this booke to be counted among the Hagiographa or holy writings 3. But the truth is as Polanus setteth it downe that the Elder Iewes did acknowledge this booke to be authenticall and canonicall and equall in authoritie to the booke of the Psalmes the Prouerbs of Salomon the Lamentations of Ieremie and diuerse of them haue written commentaries vpon this booke as R. Salomon R. Leui Ben Gerson R. Abraham Aben Ezra R. Saadia with others but the later Rabbines doe denie the booke of Daniel to be authenticall and therefore seldome reade it as he speaketh of his owne experience how diuerse Rabbines in Moravia whose helpe he vsed did confesse that they seldome did reade the prophesie of Daniel the occasion whereof he thinketh to be this because Daniel doth so euidently point out the time of the Messiah his comming 4. But this errour of the Iewes in reiecting this prophesie of Daniel may thus further be refuted 1. The bookes which are called Hagiographa holy writings were of three sorts either they are taken for those bookes which were laid vp by the Arke and had the miraculous extraordinary approbation by the Vrim and Thummim other visible demonstrations or for such canonicall books which though they had not that allowance being written after the captiuitie when those visible monuments of the Arke the Vrim and Thummim ceased yet were written by the spirit of God and commended to his Church and thirdly those bookes were called holy writings which were not made of Canonicall authoritie but onely preferred before other humane writings and receiued of the Church into some higher order though not made equall to the the Scriptures Now though the prophesie of Daniel be not of the first sort yet that it is authenticall and canonicall of the second it thus may appeare The authoritie then of this booke is set forth by testimony both internall and externall the externall is either diuine or humane the diuine essentiall or accidentall the humane is either Ecclesiasticall and domesticall or forraine or prophane these further shall thus be declared in their order 1. The internall testimonie est spiritus testificatio the inward witnesse of the spirit which cleareth our vnderstanding that by the same spirit we acknowledge the Diuine prophesie of Daniel by the which he wrote it 2. The Diuine externall testimonie which is called essentiall is consensio cum diuino canone the agreement which this prophesie hath with the rest of the Scriptures and the warrant which Daniel hath from the testimonie of Christ Matth. 24. 15. 3. The Accidentall is à signis euentis from the signes which God ioyned with the prophesie as Daniels interpretation of dreames and his preseruation from the lyons c. 6. The euents were the true and sensible accomplishment of the predictions and prophesies conteined in this booke as all histories which doe write of these Kingdomes doe beare record and where these two doe concurre with the truth of doctrine namely the signes and euents they are diligently to be regarded Deut. 17. 4. The Ecclesiasticall testimonie is the consent of Gods Church and generall approbation of the seruants and worshippers of God which though it be not so forcible to perswade vs as the former yet it is a good motion and inducement ioyned with the rest hereunto may be added that testimonie of Iosephus that all the bookes which were written vnto the time of Artaxerxes were of diuine authoritie 5. The forraine testimonie is the authoritie and allowance which this booke found euen among the Heathen as is euident in that a great part of this prophesie is written in the Chalde tongue which sheweth that the truth thereof was euen euident to the Chaldeans Iunius And here may be remembred how laddus the high Priest shewed Daniels prophesie vnto Alexander the great and by name that vision c. 8. how the goate which signified the Grecians ouercame the ramme which betokened the Persian Monarchie as Iosephus reporteth whereupon this booke was had in great admiration of Alexander Quest. 12. Of the difficultie and obscuritie of this prophesie Pererius giueth these foure reasons and causes thereof 1. Because diuerse things are otherwise reported of forraine historiographers then they are remembred in this booke as in the 2. chap. Nebuchadonazer is made the mightiest King vpon the earth whereas Herodotus much more extolleth the power of Cyaxares who raigned about that time among the Medes c. 5. Balthazar is said to be depriued both of life and kingdom by Darius king of the Medes whereas other writers ascribe it to Cyrus c. 11. the Angel foretelleth but of three kings after Cyrus vnto Alexanders time whereas there were many more 2. The transposing of the storie which is often vsed in this booke is an other cause of the darkenesse and obscuritie as the prophesies conteined in the 7. and 8. chap. which were shewed vnto Daniel vnder the raigne of Balthazar in order should be set before the 6. c. Pererius addeth that the historie of Susanna which happened when Daniel was yet a child and the storie of Bell and the dragon which was done the Empire of the Chaldes yet standing should be placed tâ—e one before the second the other before the 5. chap. But concerning these two pretended histories there is no certaintie of the truth of them at the least when and at what time they were done and therefore this instance might be spared 3. The prophesies and visions themselues are darke and obscure as that c. 9. of the 70. weekes which terme when it should take beginning and how it proceeded and was continued is a matter of deepe vnderstanding 4. The varietie of histories which must be vsed as helpes for the vnderstanding of this prophesie and the change and alteration of so many states and kingdomes in this booke decyphered doe make this prophesie intricate specially because many of those historicall writers whose workes are necessarie for the opening and vnfolding of this mysticall prophesie are now lost and perished As Hierome sendeth vs to the histories of Sâ—etâ—nius Callinicus Possidonius Thean Andronicus Polybius Diodorus Titus Linius Trâ—gus Pompeius whose histories concerning these matters here prophesied of by Daniel are now either in part or in whole wanting 5. And thus much was signified by the Angel that this historie should seeme obsure vntill the things therein contained were accomplished as he saith to Daniel Goe thy way Daniel for the words are closed vp and sealed till the ende of the time vntill then they should be obscure to all but euen afterward also when the fulnesse of time is come none of the wicked shall haue vnderstanding and
HEXAPLA IN DANIELEM THAT IS A SIX-FOLD COMMENTARIE vpon the most diuine prophesie of DANIEL wherein according to the method propounded in HEXAPLA vpon Genesis and Exodus sixe things are obserued in euery Chapter 1. The Argument and Method 2. The diuers readings 3. The Questions discussed 4. Doctrines noted 5. Controversies handled 6. Morall observations applyed Wherein many obscure visions and diuine Prophesies are opened and difficult questions handled with great breuitie perspicuitie and varietie which are summed to the number of 536. beside the Controversies 134. in the Table in the end of the booke and the best Interpreters both old and new are therein abridged Diuided into two bookes the first containing the historicall part of this Prophesie in the 6. first Chapters the propheticall in the 6. last By ANDREVV WILLET Professour of Diuinitie THE FIRST BOOKE Ezek. 28. 3. Behold thou art wiser then Daniel there is no secret that they can hide from thee Printed by CANTRELL LEGGE Printer to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge 1610 TO THE MOST CHRISTIAN RIGHT NOBLE MOST excellent and mightie Prince IAMES by the grace of God KING of great BRITTAIN France and Ireland Defender of the true Christian Faith c. THat which PLATO saw but in contemplation that Commonwealths should be then happie when either Philosophers gouerned them or the gouernours became Philosophers we see by Gods goodnes now brought into action your Christian Maiestie beeing not onely a princely Patron of humane learning and Philosophie but a peerelesse professor of Theologie King HENRIE the eight your Highnes noble predecessor in the royall Diademe of this Imperiall Kingdom for writing against Luther in defense of the Papal religion had giuen vnto him the Title of Defensor Fidei but that princely Epithete is more due vnto your Maiestie who both by your penne and sword doe vphold and maintaine the truth that the saying of Ambrose of the Emperour GRATIAN may be worthily spoken of your Maiestie You wrote not an whole Epistle onely as he saith but whole Bookes with your owne hand that the very letters doe proclaime your faith and pietie This your diuine fauour vnto Religion and princely exercise in writing hath emboldened me diuers times heretofore to present my Commentaries vpon certaine bookes of the Scripture vnto your sacred hands and your gracious acceptance of them hath emboldened me also to exhibite this Worke vnto your princely view Here in all humble dutie I doe offer a Treatise and explanation of the most difficult booke of the Old Testament the Prophesie of DANIEL what I haue performed therein and especially in the vnfolding of Daniels 70. weekes the Worke it selfe shall testifie I trust that by this my trauell that which seemed before obscure will appeare plaine and easie and the depth which would before haue taken vp an Elephant will affoard footing for a lamb Hierome saith A prophesie is obscure because it is said at one time and seene at an other But now we see that which the Prophet said and so that which was wrapped vp in obscuritie is now fulfilled in historie These my labours I most humbly submit to your princely iudgement and direction and your MAIESTIE with bended knees of my heart I commend vnto the diuine and highest protection Your Maiesties most humble Subiect ANDREVV WILLET THE PREFACE TO THE Christian Reader AVGVSTINE thus wrote to a friend of his excusing the prolixitie of his Preface Scio me non esse oneri tibi si prolixum aliquod mitto quia legendo diutiùs sis nobiscum I know I am not burthensome vnto you if I send you any prolix writing because you are so much the longer with me But I will forbeare by any long or tedious Preface to keepe the Reader in suspence though if I should I presume of his courtesie that he would vouchsafe it the reading The length of the Worke doth make me more short in the Preface a smal entrance in may serue to a large house and the greatest cities haue not the greatest gates I shall not neede in many words to shew the excellent vse of this prophecie of Daniel nor what I haue performed in it the generall Questions set before the Booke shall satisfie the Reader in the one and the worke it selfe shall speake for the other I haue gathered together the best things and most worthie of obseruation out of writers both old and new both Protestants and others that the Reader may in few houres finde that which I was many weekes in setting together for here I say and professe with Hierome Operis est studij mei multos legere vt ex plurimis diversos flores carperem non tam probaturus omnia quam bona electurus assumo multos in manus vt à multis multa cognoscam It is mine endeauour and studie to read many and out of sundrie to take diuerse floures not to that ende to approoue all but to sort out the best I take many into mine hands that from many I may know much and impart to others that which I know In the reading of this Booke let the Reader take these directions I haue followed the same course which I propounded vnto my selfe in other Commentaries as the title of the booke sheweth But I thought it best to set downe the whole text for more plainenesse and perspicuitie and not the diuers Readings onely wherein C. standeth for Chalde H. for the Hebrew L. for the Latine S. for the Septuagint P. for Pagnine A. for Arias Montanus V. for Vatablus B. for the great English Bible G. the Geneva translation I. for Iunius det is put for detract add for adding The Authors names which are cited in this Booke are summed in the Epistle set before the second part thereof If by these my trauels I may profit the Church of God I haue my desire it is mine onely terrene reward and encouragement if my poore labours may finde acceptance other rewards they sooner carie that labour not then they which labour as the Poet sometime complained that he made the verses and other had the honour As for my selfe I finde by experience that saying of Augustine most true In eo quod amatur aut non labor autur aut labor ipse amatur in that which one delighteth in either there is no labour at all or the labour it selfe is loued and it giueth me encouragement that I am not in the number of them of whome our blessed Sauiour saith Receperunt mercedem suam they haue receiued their reward God graunt vs all faithfully to labour in our vocations in this life that we may receiue our euerlasting reward in heauen with Christ our blessed Lord and onely Sauiour to whome be praise for euer THE PROPHESIE OF DANIEL EXPLANED Generall observations vpon the whole Booke 1. The summe argument parts and contents of the whole Prophesie IN this heauenly prophesie of Daniel is set forth in generall Gods fatherly
yeare after this was Daniel cast into the Lyons denne as is declared c. 6. 10. The visions in the 11. chap. Daniel had in the first yeare of Darius the visions in the 10. chap. in the 3. yeare of Cyrus which Pappus reduceth to the yeare 3438. but it was the yeare 3427. Bullinger Quest. 7. Of the whole time of Daniels age and time of prophesying 1. Isidorus giueth vnto Daniel an 110. yeares and thinketh he liued vnto the raigne of Darius Hystaspes but this assertion ouerthroweth it selfe for from the third yeare of Iehoiakim when Daniel went into captiuitie vntill the raigne of Darius Hystaspes are counted an 128. yeares vnto the which the age of Daniel beeing added which Pererius holdeth to haue beene but tenne all his yeares will make an 138. Perer. praefat 2. Pappus counteth from Daniels first captiuitie ann 3354. vnto the 3. yeare of Cyrus which he maketh ann 1438. 92 yeares but he is much deceiued for they can come but to 82. yeares for the 3. yeare of Iehoiakim was 8. yeares before Iechonias captiuitie from the which the 70. yeares must be numbred which ended the first yeare of Cyrus then 2. yeare more of Cyrus raigne must be put too which in all make but 82. 3. Therefore Osianders reckoning hath the best ground who iudgeth that Daniel liued an 100. yeares he was 18. when he went into captiuitie in the third yeare of Iehoiakim from whence to the 3. yeare of Cyrus are yeares 82. which beeing added to the former number make iust an 100. yeares Quest. 8. Why Daniel is not mentioned to haue returned with the rest out of captiuitie Iosephus writeth lib. 10. Antiquit. that Daniel built at Ecbatane in media a goodly tower which remained vnto his time so fresh and beautifull as if it had been but lately builded which the Kings of Persia made such account of as that they made it the place of their sepulture and committed the keeping thereof to one of the Iewish Priests but Daniel himselfe was buried at Babylon whereupon this question is mooued seeing Daniel liued vnto the third yeare of Cyrus raigne after the Edict was sent forth for the restitution and returne of the Iewes why that he returned not with the rest To the which it may be answered 1. That Daniel beeing now striken in yeares an 100. yeare old was vnfit in respect of his great age to take so long a iourney 2. Or rather that he remained to be the protector or defender of the Iewes which were left behind in Babylon as many there staied still 3. But of all other it is most like that he was thought a necessarie man to be imployed about the king for the good of his Nation and to helpe forward their cause as Theodoret thinketh that Cyrus was taught of Daniel that prophesie of Isai c. 45. wherein Cyrus is brought in by name that he should procure the deliuerance of the Lords people Quest. 9. Of the times wherein Daniel liued compared with fâ—rrâ—n Curonicles and of the memorable things which happened therein 1. The third yeare of Iehoiakim where Daniel began his captiuitie Pererius thinketh to fall out iust in the 32. Olympiad and the 105. yeare from the building of Rome and the 3. yeare of Cyrus raigne vnto the which Daniel attained he maketh to concurre with the 3. yeare of the 55. Olympiad and from the building of Rome 200. Bullinger accounteth it otherwise the first time which was the 3. yeare of Iehoiakim he maketh answerable to the 3. yeare of the 38. Olympiad and the 125. yeare from the building of Rome the 3. of Cyrus he setteth against the 59. Olympiad and the 209. yeare from the founding of Rome therefore of these things there is no great certentie 2. The memorable things which happened in the time of Daniels captiuitie which Pererius maketh to containe 90. yeares but in iust account they make but 82. yeares as is before shewed were these for within this compasse of time happened three captiuities of the Iewes vnder Iehoiakim Iechonia and Zedekiah with their deliuerance and returne into their countrie three great Prophets were amongst the Iewes Ieremiah Ezekiel Daniel Among the Romanes were kings Ancus Martius Tarquinius Priscus Seruius Tullus among the Grecians flourished the 7. wise men At this time was Craesus king of Lydia among the Chaldeans Nebuchadnezzar of the Medes Cyaxares and Cyrus founded the Empire of the Persians the kingdomes of the Iewes Chaldeans Medes were dissipate and three famous cities Ierusalem Nineueh Babylon destroyed Perer. Quest. 10. Of the excellencie vse and vtilitie of this booke of Daniel 1. This booke is commended by the worthines of the author the Prophet Daniel a man beloued of God to whom he reuealed the mysteries and secrets of his will whom the Prophet for his pietie and vprightnesse ioyneth with Noah and Iob Ezech. 14. 14. and commendeth for his wisdome Ezech. 28. 3. 2. Beside the excellencie of the matter doth set forth the price of the worke 1. First concerning ciuill matters it treateth of the change and alteration of states and kingdomes 2. For Diuine it hath the most cleare prophesies in all the olde Testament of the time of the Messiahs comming 3. Therein are set forth examples of excellent vertues of abstinencie in Daniel of constancie in the three children which were put into the fierie ouen of pietie in Daniels thrice praying in a day vnto his God 4. Therein are contained the heauenly doctrines of the blessed Trinitie of the resurrection of the bodie c. 12. of redemption and remission of sinnes purchased by Christ death c. 9. 5. Many admirable and miraculous things are here set forth as the walking of the three children vntouched in the fierie ouen of Daniels beeing in the Lions denne of the transplantation of Nebuchadnezzer from beeing a king to liue amongst bruite beasts 6. yea therein are conteined all wayes of Prophesying which are either by dreame or vision sensible apparitions or illumination of the mind all which wayes and meanes the Lord vsed to reueale and declare his will to his seruant the Prophet Quest. 11. Of the authoritie of the prophesie of Daniel 1. The Iewes doe derogate much from the authoritie of this booke not counting it among the Propheticall writings of the which there are three opinions 1. Some thinke that the Iewes doe not reiect the prophesie of Daniel but onely count it among the bookes called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 holy writings for they diuide the olde Testament into the lawe contained in the fiue bookes of Moses and the Prophets which are eight Iosua the Iudges Samuel the Kings Isaiah Ieremie Ezekiel the twelue Prophets and into the holy writings as they call them whereof there are nine Iob Dauid the Prouerbs Ecclesiastes the Canticles the Chronicles Daniel Ezra Ester So Pererius praefat Likewise Hugo Cardinal who maketh two kind of Prophets some that had onely gratiam prophecialem the gift and grace of prophesie others which beside the
least we should be discouraged altogether it is added but the wise shall vnderstand 4. Places of doctrine 1. The doctrine of Gods prouidence notably is set forth in this booke that he then most of all taketh care for his Church when he seemeth most to neglect it that nothing falleth out by chance but that the confusion and alteration of states and kingdomes are by the prouidence and disposing of God for a sparrow cannot fall vpon the ground without Gods will much more is the fall and ruine of kingdomes disposed of by the Lord Caluin 2. In this booke many profitable doctrines are laid forth as of the Trinitie c. 7. of the redemption and remission of sinnes by Christ c. 10. of the resurrection chap. 12. Pere 3. In this booke is set forth the continuance and perpetuitie of Christs kingdome when all terrene and earthly dominions shall cease regna mundi caduca esse ostendit he sheweth that the kingdomes of the world are vaine and the kingdome of Christ onely shall continue as the stone which was cutte without hands broke the image in pieces as the Prophet saith the increase of his kingdome c. shall haue no ende Bullinger 5. Places of controuersie 1. Controv. The vulgar Latine translation not the best 1. Pintus in his Prooeme vpon Daniel saith that the vulgar Latine translation is omnibus alijs illustrior prestantior is a more excellent and worthy translation then any other and so he preferreth it before the originall Hebrew and Chalde text therefore that the blind presumption and boldnesse of these Romanists may herein appeare it shall not be amisse to note some speciall places wherein the Latin translation hath greatly erred 1. c. 6. v. 15. The Latine translator readeth Viri intelligentes regem dixerunt c. the men vnderstanding the king said c. whereas in the originall the word is hargishu they came together A. I. 2. c. 7. v. 18. The Saints shall take the kingdome L. where it is truely translated thus they shall take the kingdome of the Saints A. P. I. 3. c. 8. 2. I was by the gate of Vlai L. but in the originall I was by the riuer Vlay A. P. I. V. the word is vbal a riuer 4. c. 8. v. 9. and against strength L. against or toward the pleasant or delectable land V. A. P. I. G. hatzebi beautie or delight it selfe 5. c. 8. v. 13. and he said to him L. he said to me A. P. V. I. c. the word is eelai to me 6. c. 11. 6. to make friendship L. to make an equall peace A. P. I. V. mesharim rectitudines equalitie rightnes 7. C. 11. v. 8. he shall carrie captiue their gods and their grauen images L. their gods and their Princes A. P. V. G. I. nesichehem their princes nesich a prince 8. C. 11. v. 22. the armes of the fighter shall be subdued L. the armes of the ouerflowing shall be ouerthrowne A. P. V. I. shataph to ouerflow 9. C. 11. 45. he shall plant the tabernacle of Apadno L. the tabernacle of his pallace A. P. V. I. G. 10. C. 12. 2. some to shame vt videant semper that they may alwaies see L. some to shame and perpetuall contempt A. P. V. G. I. the word is diron contempt By these few places giuen in instance a coniecture may be made of the rest of the translation that beeing so erroneous it can not be compared for grauitie or authoritie to the originall The other places of moment wherein this translation often slippeth shall be noted in the diuers readings vpon euery Chapter 2. Controv. The historie of Susanna the Song of the three children and of Bell and the Dragon are no parts of Daniel nor of the Canonicall Scripture The Romanists would thus perswade that these histories which are annexed to Daniel and make in the vulgar Latine translation the 13. and 14. chap. to be Canonicall 1. Because the Councell of Trent hath so defined them to be held for Canonicall Scripture 2. They are vsed and recited in the Romane leiturgie and Masse as Canonicall Scripture 3. They are cited and alleadged by diuers of the Fathers 4. Diuerse of the Fathers of the Greeke Church as Origen Athanasius Chrysostome Cyril doe hold these parcells to be Canonicall Thus Bellar. lib. 1. de verb. Dei c. 9. Pintus in prooem Perer. lib. 16. in Daniel in praefat Contra. 1. The Tridentine Councell or Chapter rather was no true generall Councell but a partiall conuenticle of the Romanists wherein there were not so many Bishops congregate or assembled together as haue beene in many prouinciall Synods 2. And though it had beene a lawfull Synod yet it had no lawfull authoritie to make the canon of the Scripture which belongeth onely vnto God the Church onely is to declare not to constitute the sacred Canon 3. Neither can they produce any generall Councell wherein the Pontificiall canon of Scripture hath beene confirmed 2. Pererius himselfe giueth instance of many things which are rehearsed in the Popish Masse which are not canonicall as the legend of S. Catharine how her bodie was placed by the Angels in mount Sinai the Masse of the immaculate conception of the virgin Marie and somewhat is taken out of the 4. booke of Esdras all these he himselfe confesseth not to be of Canonicall authoritie though publikely recited and sung in their Masse the argument therefore followeth not 3. Neither is all taken to be Canonicall which is cited by the Fathers for they many times doe alleadge the testimonies of Poets and heathen writers and the later writers doe produce the authorities of the Elder fathers Iustine Tertullian Ireneus Cyprian Origen are their works therefore to be held canonicall 4. Though some of the Greeke Fathers therein following the Greeke translation which was of great authoritie doe make these histories Canonicall yet their testimonie is not sufficient to make that part of Scripture which is not And against their iudgement we may oppose the sentence of other Fathers as of Hierome who doubteth not to call the historicall narrations of Bel and the Dragon fables likewise he alleadgeth how Eusebius and Apollinarius would not answer Porphirie his cauillous exceptions against these supposed parcels of Daniel because they were not found in the originall neither were held to be of diuine authoritie Pererius here answereth Nobis cuae non sit quid isti senserint quidve scriptis prodiderint mihi pluris est divus Ignatius Martyr Athanasius Chrysostomus c. We neede not care what these thought or what they set forth in writing I make more account of holy Ignatius Martyr Athanasius Chrysostome c. In which indifferent answer he teacheth vs what to say If he care not what Eusebius Apollinarius Hierome thinke or write on this matter why should it mooue vs what Ignatius Athanasius with the rest testifie in this cause neither doe I see why the one should be more accounted
do feede vpon other delicate meates and daintâ—e confections with drinking of wine which doe more pamper the flesh and enflame the lust 3. This example of Daniel doth nothing at all fit their turne 1. Daniel kept this abstinence 3. yeares together 2. he abstained as well from eating of fish as flesh 3. neither did he drinke any wine all this time of abstinence let them goe now and imitate Daniels fast themselues which they would take to be a verie hard penance Polan 4. Controv. vers 20. What the wisemen of the Chaldeans were and whether the wisemen which came to Christ were kings Pintus vpon this place giueth this note that the wise men among the Chaldeans and Persians were called Magi which is a Persian word and was the same with a Philosopher among the Grecians and a Gymnosophist among the Indians and because the kings of the East were philosophers they were called Magi wisemen and so the wise men which came to Christ Matth. 2. are held by an auncient tradition of the Church to haue beene kings as Tertullian Hierome and Augustine affirme with other Pintus p. 24. Contra. 1. Hierome writing vpon the 72. Psalme calleth them not reges but regum typos kings but types of the kings Augustine saith monente subdolo sermone regis alacres eunt beeing craftely warned by the king they goe cheerefully not as it is corruptly read reges alacres eunt the kings goe on cheerefully 2. Tertullian indeede saith nam Magos reges fere oriens habuit in the East they had for the most part the Magi or wisemen for their kings c. But this can hardly be prooued the wise men were of great authoritie with the Persian kings and did vsurpe the kingdome a while before Darius was chosen king but the Magi were not kings 3. And if this be such a firme tradition of the Church that these 3. wisemen were kings what tradition haue they for the rest that these three kings lie buried at Collen and that their names were Gaspar Melchior Balthasar which three names written in parchment and hung about the necke they say are auaileable to driue away any disease from the bodie 4. If they had beene kings Herod would haue beene afraide to haue entertained them beeing iealous of his kingdome neither is it like that the Euangelist would haue omitted it it beeing much for the honour of Christ that he was adored of kings in his infancie see Beza in his annotat Matth. 2. 1. 5. Controv. v. 20. Of the Magicians among the Chaldeans and how that such were alwaies opposite to the true Church of God as diuers of the Popes were such 1. The word chartummim is a strange and forren word and is taken properly as Aben Ezra for the Magician or Genethliake the caster of mens natiuities 2. In the beginning the tearme of Magicians was honourable among the Persians for they were such as professed the knowledge both of diuine and humane things and were assistant vnto Kings they were the same among the Persians with the Priests or Prophets in Egypt the Philosophers in Greece among the French the Druidae among the Indians the Gymnosophistes among the Bactrians the Samanaei 3. But afterward these Magi fell to practising of vnlawfull artes to inuocate spirits and to confederate themselues with deuills of whome they learned their enchantments and coniurations as Theodoret alleadgeth out of Porphirie 4. Such were the Magicians and Sorcerers in Egypt of whome Iannes and Iambres were the chiefe which resisted Moses Most of the Heretikes were Magicians as Simon Magus and Menander his successor and Marcion as Iustinus witnesseth Apolog. 2. pro Christian. and one Marcus who by his magicall impostures deceiued many as Ireneus Many of the Popes were professed Magicians and by such Diabolicall practises obtained the Popedome as Sylvester the 2. Sylvester the 3. Gregorie the 6. Benedict the 9. Iohn the 12. who in playing at dice was wont to call vpon the deuill as Luitprandus and to offer wine vnto him as Fasciculus temp Gregorie the 7. did vse to carrie about with him a booke of Necromancie and was condemned as a Magician and Sorcerer in the Synod at Brixia as Abb. Vrspergens and Benno Cardinal write Polan Thus in the aduersarie Church Magicians haue beene had in great reputation as here they were accounted of among the Chaldeans But as Daniel by his godly wisdome obscured them all so the light of Gods truth and Gospel hath preuailed agrinst all such abominations 6. Morall observations 1. Observ. v. 2. That victorie and conquest is to be vsed moderately V. 2. With part of the vessells of the house of God Although this was especially wrought by Gods prouidence that Nabuchadnezzar caried away onely part of the vessels of the Temple that some might still remaine for the seruice thereof yet in this victorious king is set forth an example of moderation who is contented to take part of these holy vessels and carieth away part of the chiefe men into captiuitie he maketh not hauocke and spoile of all which teacheth that Princes should not vse their victorie to make desolation and lay all wast but rather to helpe to bring things to better order Bulling 2. Observ. Princes can doe no more then God permitteth Herein also euidently appeareth Gods worke Nabuchadnezzer had no power to carie away more of the men or vessels then God gaue into his hand for the text saith God gaue Iehoiakim into his hand c. with part of the vessels of the house of God If God had giuen all into his hand he had taken all but now he is limited he taketh no more then God would he should take Papp So like as though the Sea rage and the waues thereof rise yet the Lord keepeth it within the bounds and bindeth as it were with swadling bands Iob. 38. 9. So the Lord staieth the rage and furie of the mightie men of the earth they haue no power to doe any thing but from God as Iesus said vnto Pilate Thou couldest haue no power at all against me except it were giuen thee from aboue Ioh. 19. 11. 3. Observ. The Lord punisheth by degrees At this time Nebuchadnezzer onely caried away part of the holy vessells and some few Daniel with other persons but afterward he tooke Iechonias the king himselfe and caried him into captiuitie and last of all he put out Zedekiahs eyes burnt the Temple and made hauocke of the citie and remooued the most of the inhabitants into captiuitie Thus the Lord proceedeth by degrees to see if he can draw the people by his smaller corrections to repentance till he powre out the whole viole of his wrath at once vpon them Osiand This manner of the Lords proceeding in his iudgements by degrees is well expressed Levit. 26. v. 18. 21. 24. how the Lord still punisheth his people seauen times more that is with more grieuous iudgements when they doe not profit by the former 4. Observ. God
them Plin. lib. 6. c. 27. Quest. 8. Why Daniel nameth himselfâ— in the first person 1. It is the manner of the Prophets in their seuerall visions to expresse their names as Isay. 2. 1. and 6. 1. so also Ierem. c. 1. 1. c. 2. 1. and in diuerse other places as Daniel in this place saith a vision appeared vnto me euen vnto me Daniel and the reason is because the truth of such prophesies and visions dependeth vpon the credit of those Prophets to whome they were onely reuealed but it is otherwise in matters of historie where the author need not insert his owne name seeing the credit of histories relyeth not vpon the authoritie of the writer but vpon the euidence and truth of the things themselues 2. Therefore that is a weake exception which Dyonisius of Alexandria taketh to the booke of the Reuelation that it was not written by Iohn the Euangelist but by some other because the Euangelist verie sparingly nameth himselfe in the gospel and when he doth so he describeth himselfe in the third person the disciple whom Iesus loued for as is before shewed there is great difference betweene the writing of prophesies and histories the Reuelation beeing prophetical it was fit the Euangelist should expresse his name for the credit of those visions as the other Prophets vse to doe in their prophesies Quest. 9. Why the kings of Persia are compared to a ramme v. 3. There are three parts of this description 1. from the similitude or comparison they are likened to a ramme 2. by the parts the two hornes 3. by the effects their preuayling toward the West North and South Concerning the first there are diuerse opinions why the Persian Monarchie should be resembled to a ramme 1. Theodoret alleadgeth this reason sicut aries sua lana grauatur as a ramme is loaded with his fleece and at the length is killed for his flesh and fleice so the Persian Monarchie abounding in wealth at length became a prey But the Persians are likened to a ramme in their flourishing and prosperous state when as yet they rather preyed vpon then were a prey vnto any 2. Lyranus from the Hebrewes thinketh the kingdome of the Medes to be expressed by a ramme a gentle beast quia non multum erat infestum Iudaeis because it was not much troublesome to the Iewes But hereby the kingdome not of the Medes onely but of the Persians is signified who were grieuous to the people of God 3. Rupertus to the same purpose saith the kings of Persia were as rammes quia lanis suis id est opibus eundem populum fouit c because with their riches as with wool they cherished the same people of the Iewes But the most of the Persian kings though some were more equall did suffer the Iewes to be pilled and polled 4. Calvin yeeldeth this reason we knowe quam ignobile fuerit Persarum exordium how base and meane the beginning of the Persians was 5. But that other reason of Calvin better satisfieth that here the kingdome of Persia is set forth comparatiuely as hauing relation to the kingdome of Grecia likened to a goate quia multo fuit agilior origo obscurior because his agilitie was greater and his beginning more obscure Calvin And the ramme bringeth a great companie with him but of sheepe such were the multitude of the Persians as sheepe before Alexander Osiand Quest. 10. Who are signified by the two hornes whereof one was higher then the other 1. Some here doe vnderstand certaine particular persons as Melancthon interpreteth Cyrus to be this ramme hauing both Medes and Persians in his armie as the two hornes thereof Some vnderstand this ramme to be Darius gloss interlinear Hierome whom Lyran Hugo Calvin Genevens follow maketh Darius king of the Medes and Cyrus king of Persia these two hornes whereof the latter was the greater for Cyrus grewe to be greater then Darius 2. Theodoret expoundeth these two hornes to be two families of the Persian kings the one of Cyrus which was extinguished in Cambyses his sonne the other of Darius Hystaspis But neither of these opinions can stand for the goat fighting with this ram brake his two hornes Alexander ouercame Darius long after the time of the first Darius and Cyrus these then could not be the two hornes neither was this last Darius of either of those kindreds but was elected to the kingdome for his valour as writeth Iustinus lib. 10. though Diodorus lib. 17. make him the sonne of Darius Arsanes who succeeded Ochus his brother 3. Wherefore by these two hornes are better vnderstood the two kingdomes of the Medes and Persians this grewe to be the greater in power though the other were the more auncient thus the Angel expoundeth afterward v. 20. these two hornes are the kings of the Medes and Persians Thus interpret Oecolampadius Pellican Osiand Iun. Polan Quest. 11. Of the greatnesse and prosperous successe of this ramme v. 4. I sawe the ramme pushing against the West and against the North c. 1. The kingdome of Persia beeing in the East did extend it selfe vnto the other three parts of the world toward the West as Babylon Cappadocia Asia minor Grecia toward the North as Lydia Armenia Albania and other Northerne countreys toward the South as Arabia Aethiopia and this answereth to the former vision c. 7. 5. where the beare which signifieth the Persian Monarchie had three ribbes or morsells in the mouth 2. no beasts were able to withstand them for though the Babylonians had combined themselues with the Egyptians Thracians Grecians and other nations and were in league with Craesus king of Lydia as Herodotus testifieth lib. 1. yet all would not helpe as the Prophet Ieremie saith the strong men of Babel ceased to fight they became as women Ierem. 51. 30. 3. whereas it is said he did what he listed this must be vnderstood of the Persian Monarchie in generall for some of their kings in the end had but hard successe as Cyrus with his armie was slaine by Queene Tomyris and Xerxes was foyled of the Grecians and constrayned with shame to flee away yet notwithstanding these particular losses the Monarchie continued still and increased in power Calvin Oecolamp Quest. 12. Of the meaning of these words as I considered v. 5. The Latine translation reading I vnderstood giueth occasion here of question how Daniel is said to vnderstand this whereas afterward v. 16. the Angel Gabriel maketh him vnderstand it 1. Hierome thus interpreteth that he had a generall vnderstanding he was instructed by the former vision hereby to vnderstand the change and commutation of kingdomes so also Lyran. gloss ordinar Theodoret expoundeth it of Daniels desire to vnderstand 2. But all this question and doubt is remooued by the right translating of the words I considered or marked the word is mabin eram perpendens as I weighed and considered Montan. Quest. 13. Why the kingdome of the Grecians is resembled to a goat 1. Pererius thinketh the Grecians
3. They caused the daily sacrifice to cease that is discontinued the seruice of God which was celebrated by sacrifices in the Temple one kind of sacrifice is taken for the rest for Antiochus commanded that they should forsake their lawes and he would haue them all brought to an vniformitie to liue according to the lawes of the heathen likewise he enioyned his captaines to forbid burnt offrings and sacrifices and all manner of offrings in the Sanctuarie this was accordingly done as we may read 1. Macchab. 1. 47. 4. Then they set vp the abhomination of desolation which 1. some take for the souldiers placed in garrison who were addicted to abhominable idolatrie and brought both the citie and Temple to desolation Iun. Pol. but the souldiers are before signified by the armes and this is one of their effects to set vp the abhomination and they were rather abhominable not the abhomination it selfe 2. some translate the word shamam by an other sense it signifieth both to make desolate and to astonish and so they read they shall set vp the abhomination which shall cause them to wonder or astonish them Pagnin Vatab. they should wonder to see the Temple so defiled and forsaken Calvin but that the word rather signifieth here to make desolate then to astonish appeareth both by the former vse thereof c. 9. v. 26. 27. for the further explication whereof I referre the Reader to the questions vpon that place 3. Some vnderstand nothing els here but abhominable desolation Bulling but that was signified before they shall take away the daily sacrifice and beside the phrase of setting vp sheweth that there was somewhat actually set vp in deede 4. Oecolampadius referreth it to the Romane ensignes and banners which were set vp in the Temple and round about But this place is not vnderstood of the Romanes Antiochus profanation of the Temple is here described 5. Wherefore this abhomination of desolation or making desolate cannot be better vnderstood then of those filthie idols which Antiochus and his captaines caused to be set vp in the Temple as there was set vp vpon the altar the abhominable idol of Iupiter Olympius Pellic. Melancth Osiand Lyran. Perer. for both idols are vsually in Scripture called by that name abominations and the sequele and euent sheweth it to be so vnderstood as 1. Macchab. 1. 57. it is said they set vp the abhomination of desolation vpon the altar there was then some abhominable thing in verie deede set vp vpon the altar Quest. 40. How Antiochus vsed as his instruments certaine wicked persons of the Iewes that forsooke the lawe 1. The second kind of helpe which Antiochus vsed was beside his captaines and souldiers certaine wicked factious people among the Iewes which were seduced by his flatterie to betray their owne countrey Such were wicked Iason that entred into the citie with a thousand men and slue his owne citizens without mercie and wicked Menelaus that was himselfe a guide vnto Antiochus and brought him into the Temple to robbe and spoile it 2. Macchab. 5. As these assisted Antiochus in his first taking of the citie so afterward when he sent Apollonius diuerse of the people ioyned with him as 1. Macchab. 1. 55. then went many of the people vnto them by heapes euerie one that forsooke the lawe And after these times such an one was Alcimus the high Priest who came with Bacchides the kings captaine the people trusted Alcimus because he was the high Priest and he sware vnto them that he would doe them no harme but he tooke 60. men and killed them 1. Mac. 7. 15. 16. 2. The other part of the verse is diuersly read 1. Iunius and Polan thus interpret and the people of those that knowe God they shall apprehend that is the wicked apostataes shall betray their owne brethren but in this sense the word chazak is put with the preposition beth most commonly as Isay. 4. 1. and Zachar. 8. 13. as our English phrase is to lay hold on and the word people beeing set first is rather the nominatiue then the accusatiue case which for the most part followeth the verbe in the Hebrewe tongue 2. Therefore here I rather approoue the receiued interpretation that though many shall fall away yet those among the people which feare and knowe God shall encourage themselues and goe on in their dutie which is the meaning of the last word they shall doe doe their part and office Bulling Melan. Calv. Osiand Genevens cum caeter Quest. 41. Of such things as the faithfull people of God should doe and suffer in this persecution v. 33. They that vnderstand c. shall instruct many Three things are expressed concerning the faithfull people 1. what they shall doe they shall not giue ouer one instructing and conforting another 2. what they shall suffer 3. how they shall be comforted v. 34. 1. Concerning the first 1. Some because mention is made here of instruction will not haue it here vnderstood of the persecution of the Iewes in the time of the Macchabees for they were fighters rather then instructors and therefore they thinke it more fitly to be referred vnto the persecutiō of the seruants of God in the times of the Apostles as is declared in the booke of the Acts for then the Apostles ceased not to instruct the people and Church of God Oecolamp 2. But though Mattathias and his sonnes were stirred vp to defend the innocent by their valiant resisting of wicked Antiochus proceedings yet they also instructed and encouraged the people and exhorted them to continue stedfast as we may further see 1. Macchab. 2. and 2. Macchab. 8. 16. 21. And that this persecution is not that which the historie of the Acts maketh mention of is euident by this that the Romanes and their agents were then the persecutors but here this Tyrant and persecutor was somewhat curbed by the Romanes as is before shewed v. 30. And for the same reason this cannot be referred vnto the last destruction of Ierusalem by Vespasian and Titus as some of the Hebrewes thinke 3. Those then which instructed the people were chiefely the faithfull Priests the Macchabees the father and his sonnes 1. Macchab. 2. and other faithfull people are not excluded who did their part one instructing and encouraging an other 2. Then it followeth what they endured and suffred euen all kind of most grieuous torments by the sword by flame by captiuitie by spoyle how they were put to the sword when Apollonius with an armie of 22. thousand entred the citie as is shewed 2. Macchab. 5. 25. and the younger sort with the women were sold into captiuitie v. 24. the spoile of the citie is described 1. Macchab. 1. 37. And how they were tried by the flames of fire and other torments is declared in that lamentable storie of the mother with her 7. children how cruelly they were put to death 2. Macchab. 7. their skinne was fleyed off their tongues cut out and their vtmost parts cut off
30. Controv. Of the fearefull ende of diuerse Popes As Antiochus came vnto a terrible ende he was eaten of wormes and his flesh fell away from him that he could not endure his owne stinke so herein he was a figure and type of diuerse Popes of Rome who came to an vntimely death Sabinianus who first brought in the canonical houres and the vse of tapers in the Church was frighted by a vision wherein Gregorie the 1. appeared vnto him whose books of meere enuie he thought to haue burned and smote him vpon the terror whereof he not long after died Fascicul tempor Boniface the 3. after he had obtained of that parricide and murtherer the Emperour Phocas that the Church of Rome should haue the principalitie before other Churches came home and ended his dayes in sorrowe and griefe hauing not enioyed his papacie aboue a yeare and 5. moneths Leo the 3. was taken by the citizens of Rome and imprisoned and making an escape went by stealth into Fraunce where he ended his dayes miserably hauing not beene Bishop full 20. moneths Pope Lando was suffocated by Iohn the 11. by thrusting a pillowe into his mouth Sylvester the 2. that obtained his papacie by the deuill when he had solemnized Masse in a chappell called Ierusalem which signe the deuill had giuen him that he should not die till he came to Ierusalem died presently and his bodie was cut into gobbets least the deuill should haue carried it away Naucler Iohn the 13. that had committed incest with two of his sisters was slaine in adulterie Iohn the 15. had his eyes put out by Boniface the 7. and was famished to death in the castle of S. Angel the same Boniface the 7. died suddenly a very short time after and his body was drawne with a rope by the feet through the streets of Rome the historie called fascicul tempor giueth this note here of the Popes note saith he that the Bishops of Rome are killed as in the Primitiue Church but they were no martyrs par poena sed dispar causa the punishment was like but the cause vnlike Benedict the 5. fledde to Hamburge and was there strangled in prison Benedict the 6. was taken by the citizens and strangled in the castle of S. Angel Gregorie the 7. by poison and other meanes made an hand of 6. Popes one after another to make a way for himselfe to the Popedome And he himselfe who so persecuted the Emperour Henrie the 4. was taken by Cynthius a citizen of Rome and imprisoned and afterward was besieged by the Emperor and at the last escaped into a poore village in Apulia where he died miserably Victor the 3. was poisoned in a chalice by a subdeacon and thereof died Paschal the second after he had stirred vp Henrie the 5. against his father was taken by the same Henrie and cast into bonds and so died in prison Adrian the 4. was choaked of a little flie and so ended his life Boniface the 8. who had beene a terror vnto Princes died madde in prison and bonds of whom it is said that he entred like a foxe reigned like a wolfe and died like a dogge Clement the 5. was poisoned Paulus the 2. who as Platina writeth exceeded Heliogabalus in riot and filthie pleasure through gluttonie and leacherie fel into an apoplexie Sixtus the 4. died of verie griefe that his warres were ended Alexander the 6. died of the same poison which his sonne Caesar Borgias had prouided for Adrianus Cardinall of Corneta Paulus the 3. that spent his time in filthie pleasure after he had heard of the death of his sonne Pertus Aloisius died in a peuish rage and crying out in despaire peccatum meum contra me semper my sinne is alway against me so gaue vp the ghost Iulius the 3. that belli-god died of a surfet and not without suspition of poison Pius the 5. that had like a wolfe sucked the blood of many of Christs lambes fell thorough griefe into a consumption and sucked asses milke but it helped him not Sixtus the 5. who so pursued and baited with his bulls Henrie the 4. now king of France died of poison whereas the king yet liueth and prospereth After him followed Vrbane the 7. Gregor the 14. and Innocentius the 9. who died all in a verie short time one after an other ex Polan Thus Antiochus miserable ende was a right figure and patterne of the like ende of the like Romane tyrants And as Antiochus tyrannie ended with him so at the length the kingdome of Antichrist shall be extinguished as it is prophesied Apocal. 14. 8. It is fallen it is fallen Babylon that great citie for she made all nations to drinke of the wine of the wrath of her fornications c. Thus haue I by Gods grace shewed how diuerse wayes Antiochus was a type and figure of the Romane Antichrist and so much of the controversies out of this chapter 6. Morall obseruations 1. Observ. The Angels assist Princes in the defence of the Church v. 1. I stood to encourage him that is the Angel assisted Darius in his godly purpose in sending the people of God out of captiuitie If the Angels assist infidels when they fauour the Church much more faithfull Princes for the speciall office of the Angels is to be empolyed for their sakes which shall be heires of saluation Heb. 1. 14. 2. Observ. Ambition and couetousnesse the causes of the ruine of kingdomes v. 2. By his riches he shall stirre vp all against the Realme of Grecia Xerxes who by oppression grewe rich and by his riches waxed proud and thorough pride mooued vnnecessarie warre warring against the Grecians with 800. thousand men was the occasion of the ruine and fall of the kingdome of the Persians for these warres continued still and though sometimes intermitted yet were not fully ended vntill Alexanders time who tooke occasion by those warres to goe against the Persians 3. Observ. God resisteth and punisheth the proud v. 4. And when he shall stand vp his kingdome shall be broken c. Alexander beeing lifted vp in minde for his great successe made himselfe equall vnto God when he heard that the Arabians worshipped two gods the heauens which did beare the Sunne and Dyonisius because he went with an armie against the Indians thought himselfe worthie to be the third god and sometime he would come forth like Iupiter sometime like Diana for this his pride and vnthankfulnes to God he continued not long beeing cut off in the 32. yeare of his age and all his posteritie and kinred his mother sister sonnes and wiues within a short time after his death were all slaine this is the ende of proud persons So it befell vnto proud Pharaoh king of Egygt who was drowned in the redde Sea and vnto Herod that was deuoured of wormes Act. 12. 4. Observ. Incestuous marriages vnhappie v. 6. The kings daughter of the South shall come to the kings daughter of the North. Ptolomeus Philadelphus gaue
care and watchfull prouidence ouer his Church the vse whereof is extended generally to the Church of God in all ages but more specially it concerned the state and condition of the Iewes then beeing in captiuitie wherein to their comfort three things specially are declared and foretold 1. The diuerse changes and accidents calamities and afflictions which should befall the people of God vnder the kingdomes of the Chaldeans Persians and Grecians First vnder Alexander the great then vnder his successors which diuided his Empire among them 2. The comming of the Messiah is pointed out the time when and ende wherefore he should come 3. with such innouations as should followe as the ceasing of the ceremonies and the abdication of the Iewes Iun. And all to this ende that the people of God might be prepared not to expect any terrene happinesse in this life but with patience to waite the time of the restoring of all things in the resurrection of the iust which is touched cap. 12. The parts of the booke are these It is partly historicall partly propheticall 1. The historicall part is either concerning certaine kings or Daniel and his godly companions and these things are handled ioyntly together The Kings whose historie is set downe were Nebuchadnezzar in the 4. first chap. Balthazar in the 5. Darius in the 6. The historie of Daniel is continued in all these chapters onely the third excepted and of his godly companions in the 1. and 3. Polan And in this first part 3. speciall vertues of Daniel are described 1. His sobrietie and abstinence cap. 1. 2. His wisedome and diuine vnderstanding in the opening and reuealing of dreames and hid mysteries c. 2. c. 4. c. 5. And 3. his pietie toward God c. 6. So he is commended propter sobrietatem sapientiam pietatem for his sobrietie prudencie pietie Hugo Car. in proleg in Daniel And by these diuine testimonies God gaue witnesse vnto Daniel that the mysticall prophesies following might be receiued with greater authoritie 2. In the second part the propheticall predictions either concerne the enemies of Gods Church as of the iudgements of God vpon Nebuchadnezzar c. 4. and Balthazar c. 5. or they belong vnto the Church either shewing their afflictions and calamities c. 10. 11. or their deliuerance begunne in this life by the redemption purchased by the Messiah c. 9. and perfected and consummate in the next in the resurrection c. 12. Polan Pereriâ—s another way deuideth this booke into three parts 1. It consisteth either of bare visions and prophesies as cap. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 2. Or of prophesies and visions mixed with histories as c. 2. 4. 5. 3. Or of histories alone as c. 3. and 6. 2. The diuers language and readings observed in this Booke The originall text in this booke is partly written in the Hebrewe language partly in the Chalde from the beginning of the 1. Chap. to the 4. ver of the second and the fiue last chapters are all written in the Hebrewe tongue And from the 4. v. of the second chap. to the ende of the 7. chap. the historie is penned in the Chalde dialect Polan The reasons whereof are yeelded to be these 1. For the credit of this historie the Lord bringeth forth forreine nations annalesque eorum testes and their Chronicles as witnesses least any should doubt of the truth thereof Iun. 2. An other reason is because God would haue some part of this historie come to the knoweledge of the heathen as it was requisite that the Chaldes should knowe the sinnes and impieties of that nation and the iudgements which should befall them ad testandam omnibus Dei veritatem c. to testifie vnto all the truth of God therefore in generall the alteration of the terrene states and kingdomes and the power of Christs kingdome are shadowed forth c. 1. and c. 7. and published in the Chalde language that the Gentiles might take knowledge thereof but the particular histories of the comming of the Messiah of his office kingdome and of the calamities and afflictions which should befall the people of God are set forth in the Hebrewe tongue in the fiue last chapters as most specially concerning them Iun. in cap. 7. 3. A third reason is that the historie of Daniels acts set forth in the 6. first chapters beeing expressed in the Chalde speach might giue testimonie vnto Daniel that the Iewes might receiue him for a Prophet of God qui erat admirabilis etiam profanis gentibus c. who was admired euen of the profane nations Caluin Proleg in Daniel 4. Vnto these may be added that for better credit of the historie it pleased God that the historie of such things as were said and done in Chaldes should be written in the same language wherein they were first spoken like as in Ezra the epistles and rescripts of the kings are deliuered in the Chalde speach as taken out of their publike acts and records Iun. in proleg Beside the originall text thus consisting partly of the Hebrewe partly of the Chalde tongue there was the translation of the Septuagint and three other Greeke translations beside of Aquila Symmachus Theodotion But Hierome sheweth that the translation of the Septuagint whatsoeuer was the cause thereof whether they did not expresse the Chalde phrase or some one ignorant of the Chalde tongue did set it forth vnder their name multum discordat à veritate doth dissent much from the truth recto iudicio repudiatus est c. and therefore was vpon a right iudgement reiected of the Church And therefore in the stead thereof the translation of Theodotion was receiued of the Church as the same Hierome sheweth which notwithstanding is in many places erroneous as shall appeare in the differences of the reading throughout The latine translation also faileth in many points as afterward shall be shewed though Pintus giue it this commendation that it is nitore veritatis grauitate authoritate omnibus alijs illustrior praestantior in the euidence of truth grauitie authoritie more famous and excellent then any other c. but the contrary shall afterwards be prooued in the generall controuersies following that the vulgar Latine is in many places corrupt and erroneus And herein they attribute more perfection to Hieromes translation then he himselfe would haue acknowledged thus modestly confessing qui mihi videbar sciolus inter Hebraeos caepi rursus discipulus esse Chaldaicus I that seemed to know somewhat among the Hebrewes began againe to be a scholler in the Chalde in proleg 3. The questions and doubts discussed Quest. 1. Of the author of this propheticall booke of Daniel 1. Wicked Porphirie in the 12. booke of those which he wrote against the Christians contendeth that this prophesie was not written by Daniel but by some that liued in the time of Antiochus Epiphanes or after when all these things here prophesied of were fulfilled but his cauillous obiections were long since refuted by Apollinaris