Again, However the texts were plain, and might in their numerations agree, yet were there no small difficulty to set down a determinable Chronology, or establish from whence any fixed point of time. For the doubts concerning the time of the Judges are inexplicable; that of the Reigns and succession of Kings is as perplexed; it being uncertain whether the years both of their lives and reigns ought to be taken as compleat, or in their beginning and but currant accounts. Nor is it unreasonable to make some doubt whether in the first ages and long lives of our fathers, _Moses_ doth not sometime account by full and round numbers, whereas strictly taken they might be some few years above or under; as in the age of _Noah_, it is delivered to be just five hundred when he begat _Sem_; whereas perhaps he might be somewhat above or below that round and compleat number. For the same way of speech is usual in divers other expressions: Thus do we say the Septuagint, and using the full and articulate number, do write the Translation of Seventy; whereas we have shewn before, the precise number was Seventy two. So is it said that Christ was three days in the grave; according to that of _Mathew_, as _Jonas_ was three days and three nights in the Whales belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth: which notwithstanding must be taken Synecdochically; or by understanding a part for an whole day; for he remained but two nights in the grave; for he was buried in the afternoon of the first day, and arose very early in the morning on the third; that is, he was interred in the eve of the Sabbath, and arose in the morning after it.
Moreover although the number of years be determined and rightly understood, and there be without doubt a certain truth herein; yet the text speaking obscurely or dubiously, there is oft-times no slender difficulty at what point to begin or terminate the account. So when it is said _Exod._ 12. the sojourning of the children of _Israel_ who dwelt in _Egypt_ was 430 years, it cannot be taken strictly, and from their first arrival into Egypt, for their habitation in that land was far less; but the account must begin from the Covenant of God with _Abraham_, and must also comprehend their sojourn in the land of _Canaan_, according as is expressed, _Gal._ 3. The Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law which was 430 years after cannot disanul. Thus hath it also happened in the account of the 70 years of their captivity, according to that of _Jeremy_ [SN: _Chap._ 20.], This whole land shall be a desolation, and these nations shall serve the King of _Babylon_ 70 years. Now where to begin or end this compute, ariseth no small difficulties; for there were three remarkable captivities and deportations of the Jews. The first was in the third or fourth year of _Joachim_, and first of _Nabuchodonozor_, when _Daniel_ was carried away; the second in the reign of _Ieconiah_, and the eighth year of the same King; the third and most deplorable to the reign of _Zedechias_ and in the nineteenth year of _Nabuchodonozor_, whereat both the Temple and City were burned. Now such is the different conceit of these times, that men have computed from all; but the probablest account and most concordant unto the intention of _Ieremy_, is from the first of _Nabuchodonozor_ unto the first of King _Cyrus_ over _Babylon_; although the Prophet _Zachary_ [SN: _Chap._ 1. 12.] accounteth from the last. O Lord of hosts, How Long! Wilt thou not have mercy on _Ierusalem_, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? for he maketh this expostulation in the second year of _Darius Histaspes_, wherein he prophesied, which is about eighteen years in account after the other.