Moreover although the number of years be determined and rightly understood, and there be without doubt a certain truth herein; yet the text speaking obscurely or dubiously, there is oft-times no slender difficulty at what point to begin or terminate the account. So when it is said _Exod._ 12. the sojourning of the children of _Israel_ who dwelt in _Egypt_ was 430 years, it cannot be taken strictly, and from their first arrival into Egypt, for their habitation in that land was far less; but the account must begin from the Covenant of God with _Abraham_, and must also comprehend their sojourn in the land of _Canaan_, according as is expressed, _Gal._ 3. The Covenant that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the Law which was 430 years after cannot disanul. Thus hath it also happened in the account of the 70 years of their captivity, according to that of _Jeremy_ [SN: _Chap._ 20.], This whole land shall be a desolation, and these nations shall serve the King of _Babylon_ 70 years. Now where to begin or end this compute, ariseth no small difficulties; for there were three remarkable captivities and deportations of the Jews. The first was in the third or fourth year of _Joachim_, and first of _Nabuchodonozor_, when _Daniel_ was carried away; the second in the reign of _Ieconiah_, and the eighth year of the same King; the third and most deplorable to the reign of _Zedechias_ and in the nineteenth year of _Nabuchodonozor_, whereat both the Temple and City were burned. Now such is the different conceit of these times, that men have computed from all; but the probablest account and most concordant unto the intention of _Ieremy_, is from the first of _Nabuchodonozor_ unto the first of King _Cyrus_ over _Babylon_; although the Prophet _Zachary_ [SN: _Chap._ 1. 12.] accounteth from the last. O Lord of hosts, How Long! Wilt thou not have mercy on _Ierusalem_, against which thou hast had indignation these threescore and ten years? for he maketh this expostulation in the second year of _Darius Histaspes_, wherein he prophesied, which is about eighteen years in account after the other. [Sidenote: _The difficulties of_ Daniels _70 Weeks_.]