As for holy Scripture and divine revelation, there may also seem therein but slender information, there being only left a brief narration hereof by _Moses_, and such as affords no positive determination. For the Text delivereth but two genealogies, that is, of _Cain_ and _Seth_; in the line of _Seth_ there are only ten descents, in that of _Cain_ but seven, and those in a right line with mention of father and son; excepting that of _Lamech_, where is also mention of wives, sons, and a daughter. Notwithstanding if we seriously consider what is delivered therein, and what is also deducible, it will be probably declared what is by us intended, that is, the populous and ample habitation of the earth before the flood. Which we shall labour to induce not from postulates and entreated Maxims, but undeniable Principles declared in holy Scripture; that is, the length of mens lives before the flood, and the large extent of time from Creation thereunto.
We shall only first crave notice, that although in the relation of _Moses_ there be very few persons mentioned, yet are there many more to be presumed; nor when the Scripture in the line of _Seth_ nominates but ten persons, are they to be conceived all that were of this generation: The Scripture singly delivering the holy line, wherein the world was to be preserved, first in _Noah_, and afterward in our Saviour. For in this line it is manifest there were many more born than are named, for it is said of them all, that they begat sons and daughters. And whereas it is very late before it is said they begat those persons which are named in the Scripture, the soonest at 65, it must not be understood that they had none before; but not any in whom it pleased God the holy line should be continued. And although the expression that they begat sons and daughters be not determined to be before or after the mention of these, yet must it be before in some; for before it is said that _Adam_ begat _Seth_ at the 130 year, it is plainly affirmed that _Cain_ knew his wife, and had a son; which must be one of the daughters of _Adam_, one of those whereof it is after said, he begat sons and daughters. And so for ought can be disproved there might be more persons upon earth then are commonly supposed, when _Cain_ slew _Abel_; nor the fact so hainously to be aggravated in the circumstance of the fourth person living. And whereas it is said upon the nativity of _Seth_, God hath appointed me another seed instead of _Abel_, it doth not imply he had no other all this while; but not any of that expectation, or appointed (as his name applies) to make a progression in the holy line; in whom the world was to be saved, and from whom he should be born, that was mystically slain in _Abel_.