A treatise of Melchisedek prouing him to be Sem, the father of all the sonnes of Heber, the fyrst king, and all kinges glory: by the generall consent of his owne sonnes, by the continuall iudgement of ages, and by plentifull argumentes of scripture.

A treatise touching the sundry opini∣ons concerning Melchisedek, who he shoulde be: wherein is enterlaced a discourse of the olde Greke transla∣tours, hiding their mynde for Gen. 5. and 11.

SVndry opinions hath Epiphanius of Melchisedek,* 1.1 what, or who that per∣son shoulde be. But time hath vanqui∣shed part of them, frō defence of y^e lear∣ned by writing, though in phantasies of men they be quicke. Part, haue yet their defenders of sundry sortes vntyll this day. Of suche as are vanquished, a short speeche may suffise: of the others, more shalbe spoken: to settle one, true.

1 The Melchisedekians framing a deadly heresie, as Epi∣phanius doth recorde,* 1.2 helde Melchisedek to be a certaine wight dwelling in some place, which none can tell of, being a wight greater then CHRIST. Forsooth they woulde stablishe that opinion from (Psal. 110. 4.) Thou art a Sacri∣ficer for euer, after the order of Melchisedek: as though Christe must therefore be inferiour, and needing the order of the other. And of Melcisedek they holde it to be proper∣ly spoken, that he is without father, without mother, without kinred: going about to proue that, from the Epi∣stle to the Hebrewes. Now from the same wordes they may be confuted. As Dauid prophecying of the LORD, sayd, that he shoulde be a Sacrifi••er after the order of M••lchi∣sedek: by the very same Scripture sheweth the Apostle,

That euen Christ should be that Sacrificer, who is Lord in Dauid. Psal 110. and aboue all to be praysed for euer. Rom. 9. Of Melchisedek speaketh the Apostle in the same place, that he likened to the Sonne of God, continueth a Sacrifi∣cer for euer. Now if he be but likened to the sonne of God, he is not equall to the sonne of God: For how can the ser∣uant be equal to y^e maister? Now Melchisedek was a man. That Epiphanius proueth afterwardes. And that, VVith∣out father, without mother: is not sayd, as though he had not father and mother: but because they are not in most manifest sort (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.) named in the Scripture. How many others haue not their kinred in y^e most manifest sort, as Daniel, Sidrac, Misac, and Elias?

This much for the Melchesedekians, out of the Greeke Father Epiphanius: wherein I coulde wyshe some to marke how grauely and truely, the learned father expoundeth the wordes. without father, without mother. For whereas he * 1.3 maketh the relation to be only to Gen. 14. they do not wel that stretch it further: as though the holy Ghost had sayde, in all the Scripture, a father or mother for him can not be founde. So they might as wel say, that by al the Scripture it coulde not be proued, that he had beginning of dayes, and ende of lyfe. Whereas the Apostle expresly teacheth, That it is ordeyned, that all men once shall die. Now of Mel∣chisedek it is as wel‡ 1.4 affyrmed, that he lyueth: as that he is without father and mother. But by the Scripture we may gather, that he dyed: therefore as well, that he had fa∣ther and mother. Wherefore it is not properly spoken.

Let none thinke, that the spirite of God is controlled, by seeking his name and parentage. Iob woulde tell vs, that it is not good to defend Gods cause with an errour,* 1.5 (preten∣ding a religion.) Neyther is the Figure hereby destroyed. For it is not spoken simply, but in relation. And euery ♐ 1.6 wyse man wyl graunt, that he had both father and mother. And why shoulde the Figure be more defaced, by a certayne

father taught vs, by sundry argumentes, by Moses when he wrote, then by obscure fathers? The Apostle disputeth of Melchisedekes case, as in Abrahams tyme he was knowen, when he was alyue, and actually a figure of Christ, not med∣lyng with that certayntie, whiche is euident since Moses wrote a Comment vpon that case, shewyng what man was then alyue, at Salem greater then Abraham. And without the story of Sem, I thinke we shall hardly performe this charge:* 1.7 Consider how great this man is: or vnderstande this:* 1.8 Of him we haue many thinges to be spoken, hard to be vttered: because ye are dull of hearing. Folow then the Apostle, and marke his wordes: and know both the rea∣son of Moses silence, Gen. 14. and his vndoubted proper meaning from Gen. 9.* 1.9 what man he must needes be, who then was king of Salem. It is a frowarde modestie, which wyll not search when God biddeth: and the stopping of the eares, is Serpentlike: when God blameth for dulnes of hearing.

The Apostle (in deede) from the silence of Moses testifi∣eth, that he was a figure of the Messias. But how large may we expounde his silence, to be ouer his whole lawe, or in the phrase touching Melchisedek? Doubtles touch∣ing the open and present story of Melchisedek. For to whom doth he testifie that? but to the Hebrwees: which so holde it vnto this day, as the Apostles speach doth handle it: who both consider the Figure representing one more then a man, & also can playnely proue, in historical kinde, by Moses from other places, who helde Salem then: and who then alyue might be holden greater then Abraham: whereby it might well be knowen, what perticular person, both the Apostle meant, and the Hebrewes knewe to be spoken of. And why then shoulde men draw the matter otherwyse then euer the Hebrewes woulde suffer it to be drawen? Sickerles the Apostle woulde reason, as the Iewes might vnderstand▪ and neuer woulde his argument, which must be playne,

bring more entanglementes then all religion had. But the Iewes shoulde haue been more entangled by a doctrine ma∣king any then alyue greater then Abraham, but such as had the promise of Christ before. Therefore the Apostle would neuer go about, to thrust an opinion vpon them: for one greater then Abraham, but woulde talke accordyng to their meanyng. Let none thereon frame a godlyer modesty vnto him selfe, then the whole sway of Hebrewes, touching an Hebrew poynt, wil suffer: and the Apostle writing to them: expounded by their continuall iudgement. Neyther let any euer thinke, that God would forbid searching of the Scrip∣ture for a matter of storie: as the kinred of a man is: but rather charge vs to marke al poyntes, the first and the later: that in all, Gods playne constancie of blessing myght ap∣peare in a man: whom wicked Canaan knew to be glorious, but no more regarded his state, or knew his kinred, byrth, or death: then yf he had them not at all: Yet might haue knowen, yf their Fathers had delyuered the memorie of Noes blessing from age to age vntyll theyr tyme: and had taught them who dwelt at Salem, borne before the worlde now,* 1.10 not of their kinred: nor lyke to ende his lyfe in theyr dayes, by reason of lusty strength. An higher poynt Mel∣chisedek resembled,* 1.11 to which the proper* storie woulde bring by degrees: whiche to knowe we are bounde. The ignorance of that bred the Melchisedekians: The con∣futing of them, I trust, shall not be needefull in this age, but so farre as men somewhat touch them, in mistaking the spech: without father, without mother. &c.

2 There sprang another opinion that was somwhat hol∣den of some olde Latines,* 1.12 otherwyse the best learned: But Epiphanius fathereth it vpon Hierax, which taught earnestly that Melchisedek was the holy Ghost, because he was tear∣med to be lykened to the Sonne of God: and applyeth these wordes, Abydeth a Sacrificer continually, to that which

the Apostle sayd:* 1.13 The spirite maketh intercession with groninges vnspeakable. But Hierax hath mist extreamely. For the Holy spirite neuer tooke flesh: Wherefore he coulde not be a king of Salem, and a sacrificer of one certaine place: For, euery (high) Sacrificer is taken from men.* 1.14 Some pardon must be geuen to them that helde this errour, more then to the former: by reason that of two other opinions, which haue had some stroke: neyther coulde greatly please the Grekes Vntyll this day, as shal appeare by the discourse. Also amongst the Latines S. Augustine was a mighty wrest∣ler for y^e defence of Hierax minde, styrred Vp by y^e fondnes of that one opinion, which Greekes somwhat liked of,‡ 1.15 either not knowing, or not considering cleerely the Chronicle and storie fortifiyng the other. These two opinions agree in one poynt, that Melchisedek was a king of a smal kingdome in Chanaan: Or as one translateth Tremelius, (a lytle§ 1.16 Chana∣anite King:) for as the Iewes language is called in Esay. 19 The speech of Chanaan: so any one dwelling there, might as well be of Tremelius called Chananeus. Now by both sides, who holde this opinion, Melchisedek cannot be any spirite: but one that hath Adam and Noe to his father, and doubteles to his mother Eue namely: and had both be∣ginning of dayes, and ende of lyfe in proprietie: and lyueth not continually on the earth: nor can abyde a Sacrificer for euer, otherwyse then by the description of Melchise∣dek. Gen. 14. Vnto which onely the Apostle woulde haue vs to referre those speaches: seeing the rest of Scriptnre, woulde teach otherwyse of the very man, which we must marke, vnlesse we be dull of hearyng: to know who by many degrees, shoulde be greater then Abraham. From this one stocke of this king in Chanaan, growe two branches: one beareth vp them, who make him to be of Chanaans seede: an other holde they, who say that he is Sem the sonne of Noe. The first the Greekes brought in, who helde that Sem could not then be alyue: The other helde the Hebrewes.

A discourse touching the Greeke translation.

I Will separate these two from the former,* 1.17 by a discourse touching the Greke translation: and that the Grekes case and iudgement may better be knowen, I wyll here enter∣lace a long discourse, to shew how Gen. 5. & 11. the Greke translation differeth from the true grounde and infallible the Hebrew text: wherof from Ezras age, euery‡ 1.18 letter in the Hebrew was reckoned. I wyl lay downe the vsual transla∣tion accordyng to the Hebrew, and also that of the Greeke, from the Septuaginta: Whose translation, though we haue not sincere, but for many sentences, patched of sundry other translations, a sentence being repeated sundry wayes, and tymes, where the Hebrew hath but one saying: yet for the body of the worke, it is the Septuagint, as may be gathered. For the newe Testament writeth many hundredes of pro∣per names, accordyng to the common Translation which is called the Septuagint: as Ar, not Har: Mageddon, not Megiddo: Sadduc in Sadducees, as Sadoc is Sadduc. Ez. 7. and many such: But these examples I bring, to shewe that the Greeke* 1.19 copies are not (as some write) in those wordes corrupted. Such also are 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Hope, Ruth. 1. 12. Heb. 3. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 to oppresse. Iob. 35. Luk. 3. 14. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Pro. 3, 6. 2. Tim. 2. 15. to settle a ryght, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Psa. 53. Eph 6. 6. And as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for vnreligious, or robbe Altar Act. 17. can¦not wel be expounded, but by Demostines frō his oration, for Ctesiphon: as Vlpian expoundeth him: and agayne as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Luk. 22. 25. cannot be expounded so well as from the same orator, making a difference thereby betweene the equall voyces in Attens gouernement: and the sole princi∣palitie of a kingdome, where all passeth by one voyce and commander: so many places of seuerall common wordes, vsed by the Apostles, and also hundredes of phrases may and must be referred for examination to the Greeke translation

whith we haue now: though so much mangled, and diffe∣ring in sundry copies, that some tymes it woulde seeme a seuerall worke by diuersitie of copies. And this I dare af∣firme, that who so is not acquainted with it, vnderstandeth not fully the Greeke of the new Testament. That being so, as the common vse helde, we may holde that the common Greke translation (though in some poyntes compounded of others fiue* 1.20 or sixe, which Athanasius & Epiphanius reckon, and wholly is an other for the booke of Daniel:) yet that for farre the greater part, it is the olde Septuagint. That also ap∣peareth by the Greekes citations. Doubtles the Romistes thynke the Edition of Pius quintus, to come neare to the Sep∣tuagint. According to that will I translate the 5. and 11. of Genesis, and set it ouer against the Hebrewe, ioyning some obseruations, not vnprofitable for them that loue the trueth. Herein you shal see yeeres more then the Sunne measured, hastenyng to the North, and returnyng to the South. For seuerall hundredes be added to all these men, to Adam, to Seth, to Enosh. to Kenan, to Mahalaeel, to Enoch, to Arphaxad, and to hym a new Kenan (a man of Vtopia, that neuer was) with yeeres lyke the rest: after him to Selah, to Eber, to Peleg, to Regu, to Sarug, to Nahor: to eche one of these seuerall hundrethes of yeeres. These dayes God sought not out: and lyght dyd neuer shyne in them. The Starres that brighten the day knewe them not, nor the Horizon of the Ocean that beareth vp VVhales. But as the Egyptian Greekes folowed the old Egyptians and Chal∣deans, that faygned yeeres: whose dayes neuer came in number of monethes: So for their weakenes did the Greeke learned Hebrewes fayne a thousand yeeres, and many hundredes, that neuer saw the eyelidde of the mornyng.

Great cause they thought offered so to dally, with pro∣phane folke that sought for the Hebrewes learnyng and bookes, onely for brauerie of a Library, nothing for consci∣ence to the Law of God: and would come with such mindes

to spie likelyhood of errour, to catch at: as the men of Iericho came vnto the house of Rachab, to haue caught the spies. Therefore as Rachab vsed a mockage with her enemies: and sayde an irony or floute, that they taking her wordes in proprietie, let the Spyes escape safe: So the Ebrewes coueted to do: being requested to turne their Prophetes into Greeke, by a King whose father, before that tyme, preten∣dyng fauour to the Iewes religion, and comming into their towne on the Sabbath quietly, straight way by force did surprise their Citie.* 1.21 They were in feare least the sonne woulde folow his fathers steppes, and picke quarrelles at their wrytinges: which he woulde try by Heathen, no whit further esteeming them, then with Heathen they had same likelihood of agreement. They thus fearyng harme, seeing no hope of doyng good with proper trueth, woulde not cast Pearles before Hogges, nor holy thinges before Dogges: to tread them vnder their feete, and to be rented them selues: but altered such poyntes, as most woulde haue stirred Egyp∣tians to contention. The tyme and Chronicle was the chie∣fest poynt, wherein the Heathen woulde fight agaynst them. For some inckling they had of the1 1.22 Creation, of a2 1.23 woman full of giftes, that brought sorowe into the worlde,3 1.24 of dis∣dayning a perpetual youth, and enuying that a fire* 1.25 (which 4 1.26 is lyght of knowledge) was hid from them: of olde age, brought in by a Serpentes counsell: and yet5 1.27 reaching to ‡ 1.28 a thousand yeres, whose infancie might endure an hundred yeeres: of lyuing by foode of Plantes,§ 1.29 of the deluge: of ♓ 1.30 the Tower buylding, of the Sunne twise altered in his course, of Moses, of Chanaan subdued. These poyntes, and many such dyd y^e heathen somwhat know: but for the times would they chiefly haue bralled. Great is that matter, and greatly to be considered. For that sentence which Tatianus in Eusebius vsed as one sufficient to ouerthrow all the Phi∣losophers learnyng: and of late for the contemners in our tyme, M. Ioseph Scaliger, that rare learned man, prefixed in

the entrance to his booke de Emendatione temporū: The same doubtles had the ancient Hebrewes in their mynde. And this is that sentence, which wayeth so much: VVhere the de∣scription of time is not well setled togeather, there can be no trueth of storie. Wherein the Egyptians and the Chal∣deans were extreamely deceyued, as may appeare by Greeke recordes.* 1.31 Marke for these howe the Greekes reckon their tymes. Laertius writeth of the Egyptians, that Vulcane the sonne of Nilus was authour of Philosophy: of whom con∣tinued a succession of Priestes and Prophets.* 1.32 Nowe from this Vulcane to Alexander the Macedonian were yeeres, eight and fourtie thousande, eight hundred sixtie and three, Iump forsooth. They woulde seeme not to misse one yeere of so great a tyme: whereas at Alexanders byrth, the whole worlde neuer had yet serne yeeres three thousande fyue hun∣dred and eightie: by the Scripture accompt, conferred with the greatest constancie of the Heathen. And to make their tales somewhat more notable: they ioyne further obscrua∣tions, to make all more sure, that in this space there were Eclipses of the Sunne three hundred seauentie and three: of the Moone, eight hundred thirtie and two.

The Chaldeans for profession are lyke the Egyptians, as thinketh Diodorus Siculus. In him they bragge for Astrolo∣gicall experience of foure hundred and seauentie thousande yeeres. Mar. Tullius much agreeth with Diodorus Siculus, who recordeth in his booke de Diuinat. 2. that they affirme foure hundred thousand yeres to haue been spent of them in tryall & experimentes of obseruing chyldrens byrthes, with the starres situation, to cast their destiny.

With such mates had y^e Greke learned Hebrewes to deale. Their hatred toward Abrahams sonnes & learning, Moses and Daniel sheweth.* 1.33 Iewes & Heathen kept the memorie & name of Iannes & Iambres. For such weake heades the Sep∣tuagint altered the text: not to be holden so in good trueth of the faythfull, but done for present necessitie of their case.

But now I wyl returne to the Text: of the Hebrew the infallible: and the Septuagint: settyng one ouer against the other: and addyng some Obseruations, where I thinke it needefull.

The Hebrew originall.

ADAM liued an hundreth and thirtie yeres, and be∣gate Seth. And the dayes of Adam after he had begotten Seth, were eight hundreth yeeres. So all the dayes that Adam lyued were nine hun∣dreth and thirtie yeeres: and he died.

Seth liued an hundreth and fiue yeeres▪ and begate Enosh: and Seth liued after he had begate Enosh, eight hundreth and seuen yeeres. So al the dayes of Seth were nine hundreth and twelue yeeres: and he dyed.

Enosh liued nintie yeeres, and begate Kenan. And Enosh lyued after he begate Kenan, eight hundreth and fifteene yeeres. So all the dayes of Enosh were nine hundreth & fiue yeeres: and he died.

Kenan liued seuentie yeres and begate Mahalaleel. And Kenan liued after he begate Mahalale••l, eight hundreth and fourtie yeeres. So all the dayes of Kenan were nine hundreth and ten yeeres: and he dyed.

Mahalaleel liued sixtie and fiue yeeres and begate Iered Also Mahalaletl lyued after he begate Iered, eight hun∣dreth and thirtie yeeres. So all the dayes of Mahalaleel were eight hundreth nine∣tie and fiue yeeres: and he died.

Iered lyued an hundreth sixtie and two yeres, and be∣gate Henoch. Then Iered liued after he begate Henoch, eyght hundreth yeeres. So all the daies of Iered were nine hun∣dreth sixtie and two yeeres: and he died.

Henoch liued sixtie & fiue yeeres, and begate Metheu∣selah. And Henoch walked with God, after he begate Methuselah three hundreth yeeres. So all the dayes of Henoch were three hundreth sixtie & fiue yeeres: and God tooke him away.

Methuselah liued an hun∣dreth eightie & seuen yeres, and begate Lamech. And Me∣thuselah liued after he begat Lamech, seuen hūdreth eigh∣tie and two yeeres. So all the dayes of Methuselah were nine hundreth sixtie & nine yeeres: and he dyed.

Lamech liued an hundreth eightie and two yeeres, and begate Noah. And Lamech liued after he begate Noah, fiue hundreth nintie & fiue yeeres. So all the dayes of La∣mech were seuen hundreth seuentie and seuen yeeres: and he dyed.

And Noah was fiue hun∣dreth yeeres olde: and Noah begate Sem, Cham, & Iapheth. And Noah was sixe hundreth yeres olde when the flood of waters was vpon the earth. So Noah entred and his sons, and his wyfe, and his sonnes wyues, with hym into the Arke, because of the waters of the flood.

The Greeke Translation.* 1.34

ADAM liued* 1.35 two hun∣dreth and thirtie yeeres, and begate Seth. And the dayes of Adam after he had begotten Seth, were seuen hundreth yeeres. So all t••e dayes that Adam li∣ued, were nine hundreth and thirtie yeeres: and he died.

Seth liued two hundreth and fiue yeeres, and begate Enosh. And Seth lyued after he had begate Enosh. seuen hundreth and seuen yeeres. So all the dayes of Seth were nine hunreth & twelue yeres: and he died.

Enosh liued an hundreth and nintie yeeres, and begate Kenan. And Enosh lyued after he bgate Kenan seuen hundreth and fifteene yeres. So all the dayes of Enosh were nine hundreth and fiue yeeres: and be dyed.

Kenan liued an hundreth and seuentie yeres, & begate Mahalaleel. And Kenan li∣ued after he begat Mahala∣leel, seuen hūdreth & four∣tie yeeres. So all the dayes of Kenan were nine hundreth and ten yeeres: and he dyed.

Mahalaleel liued an hun∣dreth sixtie and fiue yeerres, and begate Iered Also Ma∣halaleel liued after he be∣gate Iered seuen hundreth and thirty yeere. So all the dayes of Mahalaleel were eight hundreth ninetie and fiue yeeres: and he dyed.

* 1.36 Iered liued an hundreth sixtie and two yeres, and be∣gate Henoch Then Iered l••ued after he begate He∣noch, eight hundreth yeres. So all the dayes of Iered were nine hundreth sixtie & two yeeres: and he dyed.

Henoch liued on hun∣dreth sixtie and fiue yeeres, and begate Methuselah. And Henoch walked with God, after he begate Me∣thuselah, two hun••reth yeeres. So all t••e dayes of Henoch were three hun∣dreth sixtie and fiue yeeres: and God tooke him away.

Methuselah liued an hundreth* 1.37 sixtie and seuen yeeres, and begate Lamech. And Methuselah lyued after he begate Lamech, eight hundreth & two yeres. So all the dayes of Methu∣selah were nine hundreth sixtie and nine y. & he died.

Lamech liued an hun∣dreth eighty and eight yeres and begate Noah. And La∣mech liued, after he begate Noah, fiue hūdreth sixty & fiue yeere. So all the dayes of Lamech were seuen hun∣dreth fiftie and three yeeres: and he died.

And Noah was fiue hun∣dreth yeres olde: and Noah begate Sem, Cham, & Ia∣pheth. And Noah was sixe hundreth yeres old, when the flood of waters was vpon the earth. So Noah entred and his sonnes, and his wyfe, and his sonnes wyues with hym into the Arke, because of the waters of the flood.

As they dealt with the Fathers of the fyft chapter: So dealt they with them that be in the eleuenth: and some what more strangely, as touching additions of one man, and of this sentence: And he died. To nine of them Moses for spe∣ciall cause hath omitted it. Marke that poynt likewyse.

The Hebrew. GEN. 11.

SEM was an hundreth yeeere olde, and begate Arphaxad two yeeres after the Flood. And Sem liued after he begate Arphaxad, fiue hundreth yeeres.

And Arphaxad liued fiue and thirtie yeeres, and begate Selah. And Arphax∣ad liued after he begate Selah foure hundreth and three yeeres.

And Selah liued thir∣tie yeeres, and begate Eber. So Selab liued after he begate Eber, foure hundreth and thirtie yeeres.

Likewyse Eber lyued foure and thirtie yeeres, and begate Peleg. So Eber liued after he begate Pe∣leg, foure hundreth and thirtie yeeres.

And Peleg lyued thir∣tie yeres, and begate Regu. And Peleg lyued after he

begate Regu. two hundreth and nine yeeres.

Also Regu lyued two and thirtie yeeres, and begate Serug. So Regu lyued after he begate Serug, two hun∣dreth and seuen yeeres.

Moreouer Serug lyued thyrtie yeeres, and begate Nahor. And Serug lyued after he begate Nahor, two hundreth yeeres.

And Nahor lyued nine and twentie yeeres, and be∣gate Terah. So Nahor liued after he begate Terah, an hundreth and nineteene yeeres.

So Terah lyued seuentie yeeres, and begate Abram, Nahor, and Haran. So the dayes of Terah were two hundreth and fiue yeeres, and Terah died in Charan.

The Greeke.

SEm was an hundreth yeere olde, & begate Arphaxad two yeeres after the Flood. And Sem lyued after he be∣gate Arphaxad, fiue hun∣dreth yeres: and he died.* 1.38

And Arphaxad lyued an hundreth fiue and thirtie yeres, and begate Cainan. And Ar∣phaxad liued after he begat Cainan, foure hundreth and thirtie yeres: and he dyed.

And Cainan liued an hun∣dreth and thirtie yeeres and be∣gate Selah And Cainan li∣ued after he begate Selah, three hundreth & thirtie yeres: and he dyed.

* 1.39

And Selah liued an hun∣dreth and thirtie yeere, and be∣gate Eber. So Selah liued after he begate Eber, three hundreth and thirtie yeeres: and he died.

Likwise Eber liued an* 1.40 hun∣dreth thirtie and foure yeeres, and begate Peleg. So Eber liued after he begate Peleg, ‡ 1.41 two hūdreth & seuentie yeres: and he died.

And Peleg liued an hun∣dreth and thirtie yeres, and be∣gate Regu. And Peleg lyued

after he begat Regu, two hun∣dreth & ninty y. and he died.

Also Regu liued an hūdreth thirtie and two yeres, & begat Serug. So Regu liued after he begate Serug two hundreth & seuen yeeres: and he died.

Moreouer Serug liued an hundreth and thirty yeeres, and begate Nahor. And Serug li∣ued after he begat Nahor, two hundreth yeres: and he died.

And Nahor‡ 1.42 liued an hun∣dreth seuentie and nine yeeres, and begate Terah. So Nahor liued after he begate Terah, an hundreth twentie and fiue yeers: and he died.

So Terah lyued seuentie yeeres, and begate Abram, Nahor, and Haran. So the dayes of Terah were two hun∣dreth and fiue yeeres, and Te∣rah died in Charan.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Epiphanius, book 2. her. 55
• * 1.2

  The first Opi∣nion▪
• * 1.3

  In saying 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉▪ that is: in the most manifest sort.
• ‡ 1.4

  Heb. 7. Gene. 3.
• * 1.5

  Iob. 13. 7.
• ♐ 1.6

  By S. Au∣gustnes leaue.
• * 1.7

  Heb. 7.
• * 1.8

  Heb. 6.
• * 1.9

  Gen. 14. 18.
• * 1.10

  2. Pet. 3, 7.
• * 1.11

  Conferre Gen. 9. & 11. & 14.
• * 1.12

  The seconde opinion.
• * 1.13

  Rom.▪
• * 1.14

  Heb. 5. 1.
• ‡ 1.15

  That Melchi∣sedeck was a Cananite by kinred. Epiph. in Here. 55. oecum. vpon Heb. 7.
• § 1.16

  That he was no farther a Chananite then by place.
• * 1.17

  A discourse touching the Septuagint.
• ‡ 1.18

  Rabbi Sadai∣as hath made a Treatise of that: which Elias hath ioyned to his Hammasoreth
• * 1.19

  Apocal. 17. Mat. 3. Mar. 12 Luk. 20. Act. 5
• * 1.20

  Aquilas, Symmachus, Theodotion: and two with∣out the Au∣thors names. These ioyned, made Hexa∣plun: that is a sixfold worke: the Hebrewes both in He∣brew letters, & also in Greke letters, but Hebrewe wordes made vp Octaplun the eyghtfolde worke. The translation of Lucian the martyr: & that of Sophronius, though not from the He∣brew, were of good accompt. Moses of late dayes is set foorth, in a Greeke trans∣lation: but in Hebrew let∣ters, by a wic∣ked Iew: to de∣face the Greke now vsed.
• * 1.21

  R. Abraham, Ben-Dauid in Kabala.
• 1 1.22

  Homer, Pla∣to in Timaeo.
• 2 1.23

  Hesiod in Pandora.
• 3 1.24

  Nicander Ther.
• * 1.25

  Alexander polyhistor.
• 4 1.26

  Clem. 1. Strom.
• 5 1.27

  Ioseph out of Hesiod: and Diod. Sic Ouid. 1. Me∣tam. Herod 2. Euseb 1. praep.
• ‡ 1.28

  Manethus, Molus, Esti∣aeus, Ecataeus, Ellanicus, A∣cousilaus, E∣phorus, Si∣bylla.
• § 1.29

  Berossus Chaldeus, Hi∣eronymus aegiptius▪ Ni colaus Damas∣cenus, Mna∣seas.
• ♓ 1.30

  Eupolemus. Euseb. 9. prap.
• * 1.31

  Diog Laer. in his Proaem.
• * 1.32

  In Egypt the learned were called Hiereis, and Prophe•• ae thence the Sep∣tuagint boro∣wed these two termes to trans∣late Cohenim and Nebyir. Th' Apostles in Greeke reteine the Septuagint termes, and for Cohenim put Hiereis▪ but ne∣uer for o••e vnder the Gospel, that is seruant in the worde and Sa∣cramentes. Wisedome woulde thinke their termes the best: but cus∣tome will rule.
• * 1.33

  Baal Aruch 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lachnai or Ian∣nes: who also citeth the Tal∣mud: and Nu∣menius in Eu∣seb. Praep. 9.
• * 1.34

  Obseruations.
• * 1.35

  In the former tymes some no∣te••, as it appea∣reth yet, very badly, and blas∣phemosly, that Moses omitted an hūdred yeres. So at the fyrst they woulde de∣face all his au∣thoritie. What wyll they say for his later summe, hauing more thē the Greeke hath by ••n hundreth yeeres: and yet the whole summ•• in most equall: in all sauing Lamech.
• * 1.36

  In him the Greeke transla∣tion altereth no∣thyng: her in Noah.
• * 1.37

  So he should be a Father twenty yeres sooner then he was in the Hebrew trueth. And of 955. yere old at the Flood: wherfore the rest of his age he must be 14. yeres som∣where. Some woulde beleeue that he was with Henoch tyll the Flood was past, rather then be∣leeue y^e Hebrew text. Aug. Ciuit. 15. Cha. 11. As though al the lewes would, or could corrupt the Hebrew text: cited so muche in Commentaries, and founde vni∣forme yet. By this impossibili∣tie, the Septua∣gint would haue the worlde to knowe, that they for a closer pur∣pose woulde not communicate the trueth of the Fa∣thers ages with prophane Hea∣then. It is a pit∣tifull thing to see how tyl this day men are bent to imagine vn∣truethes agaynst the Hebrewe trueth, to disanul the holines of the worde.
• * 1.38

  Moses in the Hebrew omitteth mention of Sems death, to stay the reader in expec∣tation of some rare dignitie of his person: and that men shoulde not thinke that he died before the blessing was fas∣tened vpon Abraham: as in trueth he lyued after Terahs death, or the pro∣myse, seuentie & fiue yeeres, vnto the fiftieth yeere of Isaaks age: by the Ebrew vn∣fallible.
• * 1.39

  Here the Greekes enterlaced that fayned sentence: And Ca••nan liued. &c. (that neuer was) and he died. And here a man mayse•• that they did but dally with the Heathen, by this fained name, as in Chap. 10. they make a Ca••inan the sixt sonne of Sem.
• * 1.40

  By the Greeke accompt Sem should die in the 105. yeere of Ebers age.
• ‡ 1.41

  Because Eber doubled the ages of the men borne after Babels buylding: the Septuagint to hide that, shorten his time much.
• ‡ 1.42

  The Septua∣gint for 29. geue Nachor 179. to surmount Te∣rahs 130. accor∣ding to his age compared with Abrahams. But Epipha∣nius copies wyll differ in this, and many other poyntes, as shall ••••one appeare▪