Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
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 here in like case, by writing his mind unto King Henry VIII, after the proclamation for abolishing English books. See his letter in the Book of Martyrs, and marvel at his heroic boldness and stoutness; who as yet being no bishop, so freely and fearlessly adventuring his life to discharge his conscience, dared so boldly to so mighty a prince, in such a dangerous case, against the king's law and proclamation, set out in such a terrible time, take upon him to write and to admonish that which no counsellor dared once speak unto him in defence of Christ's gospel. a
He went into his house.] He left the court, as no fit air for piety to breathe in, and got home, where he might more freely and comfortably converse with his God. Exeat aula qui velit esse pius. 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 political professors 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 amare didici, I never learned to love any otherwise; so might good Daniel here have done, his zeal for God would not suffer him to temporise, 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, Dan 3:16-18 and Paul, Act 21:13 and Luther, when to appear at Worms, and many more that might here be mentioned.
Toward Jerusalem.] For the which he was now a petitioner, since "the time to favour her, yea, the set time was come." Psa 102:13 There also some time had stood the temple, not without a promise of audience to prayers made in or toward that holy place, 1Ki 8:43 which also was a type of Christ, &c.
He kneeled upon his knees.] Constantine the Great, as Eusebius telleth us, would have this as his portraiture - a man on his knees praying; to show 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 days: Philippians 3:20 Eph 2:19 it is a part of our πολιτευμα, 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, Lev 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. Psa 55:17
And prayed, and gave thanks before his God.] Chald., Confessed; either his sins, that he might get pardon thereof; or else God's 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 custom doubtless and most worthy to be kept up:
“ Pαλλας δη φιλιας απροσηγορια διελυσε ” b
a Acts and Mon., 1591.
b Arist. Ethic., lib. viii. cap. 5.