[Sidenote: _The cause of so different accounts about the age of the world._]
Now the reason and ground of this dissent, is the unhappy difference between the Greek and Hebrew Editions of the Bible, for unto these two Languages have all translations conformed; the holy Scripture being first delivered in Hebrew, and first translated into Greek. For the Hebrew; it seems the primitive and surest text to rely on, and to preserve the same entire and uncorrupt there hath been used the highest caution humanity could invent. For as _R. Ben. Maimon_ hath declared, if in the copying thereof one letter were written twice, or if one letter but touched another, that copy was not admitted into their Synagogues, but only allowable to be read in Schools and private families. Neither were they careful only in the exact number of their Sections of the Law, but had also the curiosity to number every word, and affixed the account unto their several books. [SN: _Corruption even in the Hebrew Text of the Bible._] Notwithstanding all which, divers corruptions ensued, and several depravations slipt in, arising from many and manifest grounds, as hath been exactly noted by _Morinus_ in his preface unto the Septuagint.
As for the Septuagint, it is the first and most ancient Translation; and of greater antiquity than the Chaldee version; occasioned by the request of _Ptolomeus Philadelphus_, King of _Egypt_, for the ornament of his memorable Library; unto whom the high Priest addressed six Jews out of every Tribe, which amounteth unto 72; and by these was effected that Translation we usually term the Septuagint, or Translation of seventy. [SN: _The Credit of the Septuagint translation._] Which name, however it obtain from the number of their persons, yet in respect of one common Spirit, it was the Translation but as it were of one man; if as the story relateth, although they were set apart and severed from each other, yet were their Translations found to agree in every point, according as is related by _Philo_ and _Josephus_; although we find not the same in _Aristæas_ [Sidenote: Aristeas ad Philocratorem de 72 interpretibus.], who hath expresly treated thereof. But of the Greek compute there have passed some learned dissertations not many years ago, wherein the learned _Isacius Vossius_ makes the nativity of the world to anticipate the common account one thousand four hundred and forty years.