Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Besides that, this is indeed no tolerable Argument, namely, that Learned Men cannot agree in the exact computation of any time appointed unto such an end, to prove that it was not designed unto that end, is evident from other instances in the Scripture to the same purpose. Thus God tells Abraham, that his seed should sojourn in a strange Land four hundred years, Gen. 15.13. which Stephen repeats, Acts. 7. v. 6. After this, Moses with some difference in the years themselves, affirms, that their sojourning in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years, Exod. 12. v. 40. which St. Paul repeats, Gal. 3. v. 17. Now learned men greatly differ about the right stating of this Account, as from what time precisely, the Computation is to be dated: and that on the very same Reason which divides their Judgements in the stating of these Weeks in Daniel. For as in this place of Daniel, the Angel fixing the Beginning of the time limited unto the going forth of the Decree to build Jerusalem, there being several Decrees, at several seasons, made as it should seem to that purpose, they are not agreed from which of them precisely to begin the Account; So Paul affirming, that the four hundred and thirty years began with the giving of the Promise unto Abraham, it having been several times, and at several seasons solemnly given unto him, there is great question from which of them the Computation is to take its date and Beginning. And yet as notwithstanding this difficulty never any man doubted, but that the years mentioned contained the time of Abraham's and his Posterities being in Egypt; no more notwithstanding the difficulties and difference pleaded about the computation of these Weeks of Daniel, did ever any doubt but that the time limited in them, was that allotted unto the Judaical Church and State, until the coming of the Messiah. The like difference there is amongst Learned men about the Beginning and Ending of the seventy years in Jeremiah, allotted unto the Babylonish Captivity; and that because the people were carried Captive at three different times by the Babylonians.

Besides that, this is indeed no tolerable Argument, namely, that Learned Men cannot agree in the exact computation of any time appointed unto such an end, to prove that it was not designed unto that end, is evident from other instances in the Scripture to the same purpose. Thus God tells Abraham, that his seed should sojourn in a strange Land four hundred years,