Matthew Poole and continuators on Daniel 4:27

27 Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee , and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor, if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity .

These words Daniel addes out of his good will to the king if perhaps it might turn away this dreadful stroke from him: and give the King some hopes of mitigation at least, as it was with Ni[illegible: 1 letter]eveh and others.

The word is well translated break off, for so it properly signifies, and not redeem, as the Papists would wrest it, to establish their works of Satisfaction and Merit, and is no more then this, cease to do evil and learn to do well, change thy course, instead of oppressing the poor shew them Mercy.

Daniel was not certain of pardon for him, nor did he altogether despair of it, as Peter dealt with Simon Magus, Act. 8.22. Ioel 2.14. who knoweth if he will return and repent, Ionah 3.9. Zeph. 2.1, 2, 3. Though Daniel gave not this counsel to elude, or null the Decree of God which was immutable, yet it might turn to the Kings good many wayes, if he followed this counsel. 1. Hereby this judgment was shorter in the time, and easier in the rigour. 2. That he might acknowledge God to be gracious to him in this chastisement. And 3. That he might become by his reformation more capable of pardon, and prepared for it.

Marginal references: Or, redeem. Prov. 16.6. So Gr.; Or, an healing of thine error.