A70035:43
The Scriptures harmony by E.F., Esq.
London: printed by Richard Cotes for William Hope, 1643
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
First, because we must then grant, that there were two promises made by God unto Abraham; The ⟨p. 3⟩one before his departure out of Ur of the Chaldees; The other after Terah's death, before his departure out of Haran: Which is a mere conceit, and cannot be proved out of the Scriptures. For Saint Stephen by repeating the words of Moses, Get thee out 1of thy Country, &c. shows plainly, that Moses and he did both speak of one and the same promise, which (he expressly saith) was made in Mesopotamia (containing at that time the land of the Chaldees) before Abraham dwelt in Charran. And indeed had Saint Stephen at that time spoken any thing differing from Moses (though by divine revelation, yet) he 2had offered the Jews, his accusers, too great an occasion of scandalizing him, and the Gospel of Christ.
FIrst, because we must then grant, that there were two promises made by God unto Abraham; The ⟨p. 3⟩one before his departure out of Ur of the Chaldees; The other after Terah's death, before his departure out of Haran: Which is a meere conceit, and cannot be proved out of the Scriptures. For Saint Stephen by repeating the words of Moses, Get thee out 1of thy Countrey, &c. shewes plainly, that Moses and he did both speake of one and the same promise, which (he expressely saith) was made in Mesopotamia (containing at that time the land of the Chaldees) before Abraham dwelt in Charran. And indeed had Saint Stephen at that time spoken any thing differing from Moses (though by divine revelation, yet) he 2had offered the Jewes, his accusers, too great an occasion of scandalizing him, and the Gospel of Christ.
Secondly, because we must then admit, that Moses, who so punctually and largely has set down the life of Abraham, did leave out, and not at all mention the first and chief promise made by God unto Abraham: which would savour of no less impiety then improbability.
Secondly, because we must then admit, that Moses, who so punctually and largely has set downe the life of Abraham, did leave out, and not at all mention the first and chiefe promise made by God unto Abraham: which would savour of no lesse impiety then improbability.
Thirdly, because the last and best English Translations, render not the words of Moses thus; Terah 1died in Haran. And the Lord saith, or, then the Lord said; but, Now the Lord had said unto Abraham, in the Preterpluperfect Tense, showing, that the Lord had made this promise before Terah's death, and (as Saint Stephen saith) in the land of the Chaldees. Junius and Tremelius translate it by the Preterpluperfect Tense Dixerat enim: So Beza annot. in Act. 7. 2And Vatablus a learned Hebrician confirms it, Hebraicè ⟨p. 4⟩per futurum legitur, quod pro praeterito perfecto ponitur: & perfectum pro plusquam perfecto; Lege Actor. caput▪ 7. in principio. Vertendum igitur, I am verò dixerat Dominus.
Thirdly, because the last and best English Translations, render not the words of Moses thus; Terah 1died in Haran. And the Lord saith, or, then the Lord said; but, Now the Lord had said unto Abraham, in the Preterpluperfect Tense, shewing, that the Lord had made this promise before Terah's death, and (as Saint Stephen saith) in the land of the Chaldees. Junius and Tremelius translate it by the Preterpluperfect Tense Dixerat enim: So Beza annot. in Act. 7. 2And Vatablus a learned Hebrician confirmes it, Hebraicè ⟨p. 4⟩per futurum legitur, quod pro praeterito perfecto ponitur: & perfectum pro plusquam perfecto; Lege Actor. caput▪ 7. in principio. Vertendum igitur, I am verò dixerat Dominus.
And as Gods promise, so Abraham's departure out of Haran, was also before Terah's death. Neither doth the relation of it after the death of Terah any way hinder: For the Scriptures do frequently 1in Story place that after, which was done before in time. As we know, that the eighteen years wherein the Philistines and Ammonites oppressed Israel, were in the days of Jair the Judge, yet it is said, And Jair died, and was buried in Camon. And the children of Israel, &c. where the story of the oppression is placed after Jair's death. So Abraham's taking another wife, is mentioned after the death of Sarah, which was long before her death, in her time. So the relation of the making of woman, and the fall of man follows after the seventh day, yet we know, that both were created on the sixth day. The Prophets, especially Jeremiah & Daniel, afford many such examples.
And as Gods promise, so Abraham's departure out of Haran, was also before Terah's death. Neither doth the relation of it after the death of Terah any way hinder: For the Scriptures do frequently 1in Story place that after, which was done before in time. As we know, that the eighteene yeeres wherein the Philistines and Ammonites oppressed Israel, were in the daies of Jair the Judge, yet it is said, And Jair died, and was buried in Camon. And the children of Israel, &c. where the story of the oppression is placed after Jairs death. So Abraham's taking another wife, is mentioned after the death of Sarah, which was long before her death, in her time. So the relation of the making of woman, and the fall of man followes after the seventh day, yet we know, that both were created on the sixth day. The Prophets, especially Jeremiah & Daniel, afford many such examples.
Fourthly, because it cannot be inferred out of Saint Stephens words, that Abraham departed not out of Haran till his fathers death: for he saith, from thence when his father was dead, [Greek or Hebrew], God transplanted him, that is, fully and absolutely removed him into this Land, tam animo quam corpore; 1which indeed could not be before his fathers death, ⟨p. 5⟩because of the duty and natural affection, which he did and ought to bear unto his Father. So that he departed thence at 75. years old, as Moses saith: but was not transplanted thence till his fathers death, as Saint Stephen saith, at which time Abraham was 135. years old.
Fourthly, because it cannot be inferred out of Saint Stephens words, that Abraham departed not out of Haran till his fathers death: for he saith, from thence when his father was dead, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, God transplanted him, that is, fully and absolutely removed him into this Land, tam animo quam corpore; 1which indeed could not be before his fathers death, ⟨p. 5⟩because of the duty and naturall affection, which he did and ought to beare unto his Father. So that he departed thence at 75. yeeres old, as Moses saith: but was not transplanted thence till his fathers death, as Saint Stephen saith, at which time Abraham was 135. yeeres old.
Fifthly, because the Scriptures set down precisely, that Terah lived 70. years and begat Abraham, 1Nahor, and Haran. Now if the 70. years be not referred to Abraham, then they are inserted ambiguously, and to no purpose. Ambiguously, because it cannot be determined whether they belong to Nahor or Haran. And to no purpose, because what matter is it to the continuance of the Church (which was the scope of Moses in that Chapter) to mention how old Terah was when he begat Nahor or Haran, who were Idolaters, and not of the Church?
Fifthly, because the Scriptures set downe precisely, that Terah lived 70. yeeres and begat Abraham, 1Nahor, and Haran. Now if the 70. yeeres be not referred to Abraham, then they are inserted ambiguously, and to no purpose. Ambiguously, because it cannot be determined whether they belong to Nahor or Haran. And to no purpose, because what matter is it to the continuance of the Church (which was the scope of Moses in that Chapter) to mention how old Terah was when he begat Nahor or Haran, who were Idolaters, and not of the Church?
Sixthly, because we must then admit that it was no wonder that Abraham should beget a child at 100 years old; whereas the Scriptures record it for an extraordinary act of Gods power, beyond the course of nature. Shall a child (saith Abraham) be 1borne unto him that is an hundred years old? Therefore 2Sarah laughed within her self, saying, After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Abraham's age (as well as her own) was the cause of Sarah's laughter. And Saint Paul saith, there sprang even of one and him as good as 3dead, so many as the Stars of the sky in multitude. ⟨p. 6⟩Nay more, He considered not his own body now dead, when he was about 100 years old. 4Whence it is clear, that Abraham's strength of nature was in his hundred year quite spent, his body was unable to beget children; and therefore the wonder was wrought on him, as well as on Sarah.
Sixthly, because we must then admit that it was no wonder that Abraham should beget a child at 100 yeeres old; whereas the Scriptures record it for an extraordinary act of Gods power, beyond the course of nature. Shall a child (saith Abraham) be 1borne unto hm that is an hundred yeeres old? Therefore 2Sarah laughed within her selfe, saying, After I am waxed old, shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also? Abraham's age (as well as her owne) was the cause of Sarah's laughter. And Saint Paul saith, there sprang even of one and him as good as 3dead, so many as the Starres of the skie in multitude. ⟨p. 6⟩Nay more, He considered not his owne body now dead, when he was about 100 yeeres old.
But in truth I cannot see, how they should account this a wonder, who give Abraham a wife and six sons of her after Sarah's death; the eldest of whom should we suppose that Abraham begat him 1the same day that Sarah died, must be begotten in the 137 year of Abraham's age: and (if some may be credited) all six were begotten in less then foure 2yeeres. Sed ex uno absurdo mille sequuntur.
But in truth I cannot see, how they should account this a wonder, who give Abraham a wife and sixe sonnes of her after Sarah's death; the eldest of whom should we suppose that Abraham begat him 1the same day that Sarah died, must be begotten in the 137 yeere of Abraham's age: and (if some may be credited) all six were begotten in lesse then foure 2yeeres. Sed ex uno absurdo mille sequuntur.
Seventhly, because the best Writers and Chronologers affirm, That Terah begat Abraham at 70. years old. As, Joseph. Ant. l. 1. c. 7. Euseb. Chron. fol. 6. August. quaest. 25. in Gen. Beda de 6. aetat. mundi. Func. fol. 20. Bucholz. pag. 4. Calvis. pag. 35. Hen. Buntingus. fol. 22. Christ. Helvic. fol. 3. Isaacs. fol. 30.
Seventhly, because the best Writers and Chronologers affirme, That Terah begat Abraham at 70. yeeres old. As, Joseph. Ant. l. 1. c. 7. Euseb. Chron. fol. 6. August. quaest. 25. in Gen. Beda de 6. aetat. mundi. Func. fol. 20. Bucholz. pag. 4. Calvis. pag. 35. Hen. Buntingus. fol. 22. Christ. Helvic. fol. 3. Isaacs. fol. 30.
Nevertheless Abraham was not the eldest, but the younger son of Terah, and is placed first, because 1of his excellency and dignity.
Neverthelesse Abraham was not the eldest, but the younger sonne of Terah, and is placed first, because 1of his excellency and dignity.
Abraham departed from Ur of the Chaldees when he was 70. years old.
Abraham departed from Ur of the Chaldees when he was 70. yeeres old.
His departure was immediately after Gods Covenant with him, Acts 7. v. 2, 3, 4. which is implied, Gen. 11. v. 31. and c. 12. v. 1. Now Gods Covenant ⟨p. 7⟩was when Abraham was 70. years old. For from the Covenant to the Law were 430. years; but from the 75. of Abraham to the Law, were but 1425. years; Therefore the Covenant (and so his departure out of Ur) must be five years before, which was in his 70. year.
His departure was immediately after Gods Covenant with him, Acts 7. v. 2, 3, 4. which is implyed, Gen. 11. v. 31. and c. 12. v. 1. Now Gods Covenant ⟨p. 7⟩was when Abraham was 70. yeeres old. For from the Covenant to the Law were 430. yeeres; but from the 75. of Abraham to the Law, were but 1425. yeeres; Therefore the Covenant (and so his departure out of Ur) must be five yeeres before, which was in his 70. yeere.
The said times accounted are 362 years.
The said times accompted are 362 yeeres.
FOR,
Abraham going forth from Ur of the Chaldees 1came unto Haran, alias Charran, in Mesopotamia, where he dwelt 5 years; and so (leaving his father Terah) was 75. years old when he departed thence into the land of Canaan.
Abraham going forth from Ur of the Chaldees 1came unto Haran, alias Charran, in Mesopotamia, where he dwelt 5 yeeres; and so (leaving his father Terah) was 75. yeeres old when he departed thence into the land of Canaan.
