“Robinson used the latter...”
... to justify his preexisting belief. As a liberal scholar, he also justified universal salvation.
Robinson’s preterist view was not just held by him, there were many many others.
Luther, Knox, Calvin, the theologians in the 1600’s & 1700’s before Darby.
Plus the Roman Catholics before and during those times.
In Lutheran catechism class, church, and Sunday school, we were taught that time runs from Creation till Judgement Day.
No Israel restored, temple rebuilt, 7 year tribulation, etc. that I mentioned above.