The latter compute of the Greeks, as _Petavius_ observeth, hath been reduced unto two or three accounts. The first accounts unto our Saviour 5501, and this hath been observed by _Nicephorus_, _Theophanes_, and _Maximus_. [SN: _By what account the world hath lasted 7154 years._] The other accounts 5509; and this of all at present is generally received by the Church of _Constantinople_, observed also by the _Moscovite_, as I have seen in the date of the Emperors letters; wherein this year of ours 1645 is from the year of the world 7154, which doth exactly agree unto this last account 5509, for if unto that sum be added 1645, the product will be 7154, by this Chronology are many Greek Authors to be understood; and thus is _Martinus Crusius_ to be made out, when in his Turcogrecian history he delivers, the City of _Constantinople_ was taken by the Turks in the year ÏÏ Î¾Î±; that is, 6961. Now according unto these Chronologists, the Prophecy of _Elias_ the Rabbin, so much in request with the Jews, and in some credit also with Christians, that the world should last but six thousand years; unto these I say, it hath been long and out of memory disproved, for the Sabbatical and 7000 year wherein the world should end (as did the Creation on the seventh day) unto them is long ago expired; they are proceeding in the eight thousand year, and numbers exceeding those days which men have made the types and shadows of these. But certainly what _Marcus Leo_ the Jew conceiveth of the end of the heavens, exceedeth the account of all that ever shall be; for though he conceiveth the Elemental frame shall end in the Seventh or Sabbatical Millenary, yet cannot he opinion the heavens and more durable part of the Creation shall perish before seven times seven, or 49, that is, the Quadrant of the other seven, and perfect Jubilee of thousands.
Thus may we observe the difference and wide dissent of mens opinions, and thereby the great incertainty in this establishment. The Hebrews not only dissenting from the Samaritans, the Latins from the Greeks, but every one from another. Insomuch that all can be in the right it is impossible; that any one is so, not with assurance determinable. And therefore as _Petavius_ confesseth, to effect the same exactly without inspiration it is impossible, and beyond the Arithmetick of any but God himself. And therefore also what satisfaction may be obtained from those violent disputes, and eager enquirers in what day of the month the world began either of March or October; likewise in what face or position of the Moon, whether at the prime or full, or soon after, let our second and serious considerations determine.