Daniel 6

IT pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

And over these, three presidents; (of whom Daniel was first This was Belshazzars promise to Daniel, he should be the third Ruler in the Kingdom, chap. 5.7, 16, 29. the first was general of the Army, the second President of the Palace, the third of the Land and Provinces.) that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. There were three things that made Darius greatly favour Daniel. 1. Because he Prophesied the destruction of Belshazzar and his Reign, for which cause the King of Babylon favoured Ieremiah the Prophet, chap. 39.11. &c. 2. Because he saw so noble a spirit in him, the spirit of the holy God. 3. Because Darius himself was old and unfit for Government, and therefore took Daniel with him into Media, Ios. Antiq. 10.12. whereby the Lord by advancing Daniel made careful provision for his Church. This was an act of great wisdom in Darius to prefer men for their parts and merit, and to make them that have most of God in them to be their chief favourites, a thing rarely minded by the Princes of the World, who favour them usually most, that do most gratifie their lusts.

¶ Then the presidents and the princes sought to find occasion against Daniel Made diligent enquiry, and set their wits a work about it, who can stand before envy, This disease always reigns in Princes Courts, every one would be uppermost, and chief Favourite, and quarrel all them that stand in their light: their eye is evil because their Princes eye is good. concerning the kingdom And so to have made him guilty of Treason, or other High Misdemeanours, unfaithfulness, and falseness in the Kings business, but all their wit, and malice could find none, forasmuch as he was conscientiously faithful., but they could find none occasion, nor fault: forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

Then said these men These proud envious Courtiers., We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God Pliny said of old, it is the custom of Courtiers to study how to make innocent men faulty, and Scripture, and experience tells us that the most religious are accounted most dangerous to the Government, and that debauchery is loyalty: and that Flatterers ought to be the best Favorites, Ezra 4.12, 13, 14. Nehem. 6.5, 6, 7. Esther 3.8. Dan. 3.12. and this text, are plain proofs of it; besides the experience of every age to this day, This was for the honour of Daniels integrity, and for a brand of infamy upon his malicious enemies..

Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

All the presidents of the kingdom, the Governours, and the princes, the counsellers and the captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing; that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree The summe of all was this; they had a plot against Da iel, and his people to throw him out of place and favour, to effect that, they fall upon him in the point of Religion. Which they would make to be Treason. How so? They contrived an act of uniformity, by an unalterable Law, to ask no petition of any God or man but of the King for one month upon pain of death. They wheedled the King into it, and passed it into a Law. The King sees the plot to be against Daniel, and would have saved him, but they held the King to it, they were zealous for executing Laws of their own procuring; it was a net they had privily laid for this holy man, and had got him fast. 1. We see the horridness of this decree against God, for it was to ungod him for a time that Darius might be Deified. 2. It is marvellous that Darius should suffer himself to be persuaded to this Idolatry, blasphemy, and sacriledge, but that we know it was common to the Kings of the East to show themselves willing to be accounted Gods. Some give three reasons why Darius was persuaded to it. 1. Because he was old, and had not much authority, and by this means, he would gain it highly. 2. Because by this the superstitious Chaldeans newly conquered would be the better kept under. 3. Hereby he would seem not at all to be beholding to Cyr s for the share of his Government. 3. The wickedness of this Decree appeared also in this, that it brake all the bonds of natures Laws, between superiors and inferior for one month. 4. The craft of this cursed Cabal, is seen in this, that they mind Darius that it was his honour, interest, and duty to see this Law executed, seeing it was the custom and constitution of the Medes and Persians, and he himself was a Mede. The Babylonians had no such Law and Custom, but the others had of old, Esth. 1.15, 19. and chap. 8.8. 5. The courage, zeal and sincerity of Daniel in not baulking the course of his devotion for fear of the Kings Edict, but as if he had not been concerned at all in it being overawed by the fear of God, who was superior to all the Gods and Princes of the World, he made the command and institution of God alone the rule of his Worship..

¶ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem This was 1 King. 8.47, 48, 49. according to Solomons Prayer, which doubtless all the devout Jews in their Captivity did observe. Towards Ierusalem, not towards the East which was the manner of the Gentiles, nor towards the Kings Palace, lest that in compliance with the Kings Edict, he should seem to Worship him, but towards the West and the Temple in Ierusalem, where the Holy of Holies stood in the West end, and because the Temple was the place where the Lord placed his name and worship, and promised to appear, and accept his people, and their sacrifices, all being a Type of Christ through whom only the Saints are accepted. Which doubtless Daniel by Faith had an eye to; believing also that God in his own time would deliver them out of this Captivity, and bring them back again, and that he faithfully minded these things in the midst of his Honours, and Riches, and Imployments., he kneeled upon his knees This posture was always used in times of mourning and danger, not that we are tyed to this gesture, but it is a comely posture before the great God; noting of guilt at the bar of Gods tribunal and begging for our lives, by humble confession and humiliation, and craving pardon, and blessing God for his Mercies. three times a day Thus David, Psal. 55.17. There three times, were one at nine in the morning which was their third hour of the day. Act. 2.15. the 6th. hour was at twelve a clock, then Peter prayed, Act. 10.9. The 9th. hour was our three in the Afternoon, which was the time of the evening Sacrifice, 1 King. 18.36. Act. 3.1. it is called the hour of Prayer, and at that our Saviour Christ offered up himself a Sacrifice for us, Matth. 27.46, 50. Now Daniel ordered his affairs so, though great, that they should not hinder his solemn devotions to God., and prayed, and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime By which we see he was a holy man, also that he did not abate his Prayers for the Kings command, nor did he rashly break the Law, by doing it purposely, because he did no more then he was wont to do in serving his God. Daniel did not imprudently much less sinfully in this action. 1. Because he would have declared by it that he preferred Man before God. 2. It was against the Law of Nature, which commands God to be Worshipped. 3. Against the dictates and peace of his own Conscience. 4. Against the people of God, whom he would grieve and stumble by this forbearance. 5. Because his enemies, by hardning them in their evil way, and giving them occasion of triumphing, and blaspheming..

Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God This design being laid by them, they watched narrowly, and it took, they came and found all open, he feared not to be found praying he prevented their breaking open doors, and rushing in, or making proof; he owned all, and freely offered him elf..

Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the kings decree, Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions They had enough now, they came with open mouth, they pleaded the breach of the Kings Lawes, they tell the King he had signed it, and it could not be disannulled, the Kings Authority, and the honour of the nation lay at stake.? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not The King owned such a Law and it was unalterable..

Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel Here they call him, That Daniel as verse 5. that Daniel, both by way of contempt, when they had laid him low in their thoughts and words, intending the King should have the same thoughts of him too, hereby they should have the fairer blow at him. which is of the children of the captivity of Judah A Prisoner at mercy, and yet rebelliously ights the King and his Laws. What? because he chose to obey God rather then men, and ungodly Laws, as this was in the height, well thats his great crime, that he prayes to his God 3 times a day., regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed Which we account dishonourable to thy greatness and unsufferable from such a mushrom as he is. What do all the Native Subjects of the King keep his Laws, and must this Daniel presume to break them and be indemnified? Wilt thou tolerate this, O King?, but maketh his petition three times a day.

Then the king when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself He was not wroth with Daniel as Nebuchadnezzar upon the Accusation against the three young men, chapter 3.19. but he was angry with himself, that he should be so moved by his Courtiers, against an innocent person of so much Honour and Honesty., and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun, to deliver him This made him labour to save Daniel till Sun set. Sometimes blaming his own inadvertency, and levity in so rash and sinful a Decree. Sometimes considering the great reverence of so Holy a man. Then the cruelty and craft in laying snares by Laws made on purpose against the best people, in his Court, and Kingdom. Then withal how hard it was to break or elude a Law that was by custom unalterable, and how unsafe to reject his Princes when they pleaded for the King and his Laws..

Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, know, O king These were bold men they were resolved to follow their blows, and would have their will rather then the King should have his in this case, which on the Kings part was honourable, and royal to retrive an evil act, and to retract, at least to mitigate a rigid, and rash Decree., that the law of the Medes and Persians is, that no decree nor statute which the king establisheth, may be changed Thus Haman contrived, and pleaded, yet there was a way found to prevent execution. Esther 8. Again this Law which they plead was fundamental to make all Lawes and Decrees immutable, was absurd, and impolitick; for Laws should be essentially changeable by the Lawmakers because they often see greater cause to change a Law when it grows obsolete, and burdensome, though before thought necessary then to make it at first: whereof we have sufficient instances in all Nations in all ages. Will any Legislative power in the World so bind their own hands as to entail a yoke upon themselves and nation, which they and posterity could not remedy, the intent of the Lawgiver is the Law, the equity of it is the obligation of it, which also is the true measure of its duration..

Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel He had a good mind to do Daniel a kindness, but he could not stem the Tyde of his Flatterers, who being cro t might machinate some mischief against him, having this plausible pretense for it, they stood for the fundamental Laws of the Land, which the King endeavoured to null by his prerogative for the sake of one person his pure vassal being an alien, and of another Religion, which was contrary to that which was by Law establisht., and cast him into the den of lions Thus the best man in the Kingdom, becomes a Sacrifice to the malice of the vilest men; the King consenting and commanding it against his Conscience, but for reason of State, being inexcusable, for assuming, the honour and worship of a God exclusive, to all other Gods and Worship, and for all that he was convinced of the true God, would not Worship him, nor suffer others to do it, under pain of death.: Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee No thanks to him; why then did he cast the Servant of God to the Lions to try experiments upon him? no, to excuse himself, and to comfort Daniel; but to little purpose either..

And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel They are resolved to make all fast, and sure. So did Enemies of the three young men, by the hellish heat of the fiery furnace. So did the Enemies of Christ, Matth. 27. chap. 66. verse. So did Herod serve Peter, Act. 12.4. &c. thus Paul and Sylas were made sure, Act. 16.23, 24. Thus the Heathen Persecutors that thought by variety, cruelty and universality of persecutions and torments, to drive the Christian Religion out of the World, and thus Anti Christ by Crusadoes, Massacres and Burnings. In this s aling of t e D n they took away all power from the King of delivering Da iel because they knew he savour'd him. By which the power and providence of God for his preservation and deliverance was the more signalized, Acts 4.26, 27, 28. Thus the Lord gratifies the enemies of his people oftentimes as if they had a Commission from him to do their worst; and they go agreat way in it, as far as they have rope, Isa. 10.6, 7. Luk. 22.53..

Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting Yea, and without instruments of Musick, and Sleep. The King was in perplexity, he was under great Conviction that he had done very dishonourably and cruelly, by hearkening to the counsel of his wicked Courtiers, he should have rescinded his rash decree, and rated them for their Barbarity against Daniel, and have over-ruled them, and let him out; he is convinced of all this, and grieves for it, but to little purpose; many are displeased with themselves for their Vices, yet are drawn away with them; and upon point of honour or other carnal ground, never come to true Repentance, which consists in a change of heart and life. Herod was a like troubled for Iohn Baptist, but for all that, for his Oath sake to a wanton wretch, and for the Companies sake, he sent and beheaded him, Math. 14 9.: neither were instruments of musick brought before him, and his sleep went from him.

Then the king arose very early in the morning Watching, and grieving, and being between fear and hope longing to be satisfied., and went in hast unto the den of lions.

And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel, and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God This was a commendation both of Daniel and his God, though he served both very coar ly., is thy God whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions Is he omnipotent: surely if ever he will put forth his power, it will be in thy case, for thou servest him continually, thou wilt not be frightned from his service by savage beasts, by ramping and roaring Lions, now it will appear what thy God will do for his Servant. Ah poor King, God is a better Master to his Servants than thou art; even to Daniel.?

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever He prays for the Kings prosperity though he suffered under his hand..

My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions mouths that they have not hurt me He had his eye specially to him whose C use and Honour was concerned in this matter. The Lord either took the Lion-hunger away from them or made Daniel appear terrible to them; or literally shut their mouths.: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me Because by faith he trusted in the Lord, H b. 11.33. therefore the Papists from hence falsly conclude Justification by Works and Merits, a signing fallaciously a false cause instead of a principal, formal and meri orious Cause; for the word forasmuch or because in Scripture does often signifie an occasion rather than a Cause, Psal. 25.11. Pardon my sin for it is great. David did not use to argue thus but the contrary, Dan. 9.7, 18. Daniel pleads the innocence of his cause to the King in Suffering, not the righteousness o his Person; and that the Lord delivered him to assert his Honour in his unjust Sufferings.; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt Nor have I sinned against thee, O King; the Fear of God is set before Honouring of Kings, 1 Pet. 2.17..

Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God He trusted in Gods Power and Faithfulness, not to work a Miracle but committed himself to him as a righteous Judge; who would deliver here, or save him hereafter..

And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions Thus they digged a pit for another and fell into it themselves, which the Heathens say was a very just Law, the Law of Retaliation, which the Lord does often observe, as in Adonibezec, and Ahabs cases, and many more., them, their children, and their wives Darius was yet cruel in this execution, because he cast in with them to the Lions, their Wives and Children. This is not without precedent in Scripture, as in Cora and his Company, A ha and Haman, for the greater terror; For the Kings Justice in this Fact, we need not trouble our selves, it being the Custom of the Arbitrary Tyrants of the East.; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations and languages that dwell in all the earth, i. e. Of the known Earth then, being chiefly that great Empire; for what had he to do in all the World besides: It is usual with the Turk, Tartar, Chinese, to arrogate the same universality with the like Pride. Peace be multiplied unto you.

I make a decree, that in every dominion of my kingdom, men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel Take heed how they speak evil of this great God, but own and honour him as such; whereof he gives the reason following.: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be ever unto the end You would take Darius by these words to be a Convert; how far this went with him, and how long it lasted who knoweth. Surely if he were in earnest, he would forsake his Idolatry, and set up the Worship of the true God in his Kingdom, that his Subjects might turn from dumb idols, as inconsistent with the living God and his Worship. Howbeit, its clear that Darius had learnt this Doctrine from Daniel, whom he heard and honoured, and was the more convinced of it by this miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the Lions..

He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian Chap. 1. ult. Who was after Darius his death, which was called, say some, Nabonnedus. Daniel continued all this time in great Honour..