Gods arrow against atheists. By Henry SmithGods arrovve against atheists. By Henrie Smith

Let us yet moreover consider the prophecy of old Jacob concerning the particular time of the Messiah his appearing. Come hither my children (saith he) that I may tell you the things that are to happen in the latter days, ¹&c. The sceptre shall not depart from Judah until Shiloh come, which is the expectation of the Gentiles. By Shiloh is meant the Messiah (as both Jews and Christians expound it.) This prophecy so long foretold, was performed at the birth of Jesus Christ, in the days of Herod king of Jewry. For from the time that the sceptre was given to king David (who was the first king of the Tribe of Judah) it did not depart from that Tribe, but remained always in it until the days of king Herod, in whose time, and not until whose time all government was taken away, and clean departed from the Tribe of Judah, and committed to a stranger: and therefore in the time of Herod was the Messiah to be borne, and neither before nor after his time. That the sceptre or government was not clean taken away or departed from the house of Judah (after it was once settled in it in the person of King David) even till the days of Herod the King, is evident: for from David (who was the first king of that Tribe) unto Zedechias that died in the captivity of Babylon, the Scripture showeth how all the Kings descended of ⟨image 11⟩the house of Judah:² And during the time of their captivity in Babylon (which was seventy years) the Jews were always permitted to choose unto themselves a governor of the house of Judah (whom they called RESCHGALVTA.) And after their delivery from Babylon, Zerubbabel was their governor of the same Tribe, and so others after him until you come to the Maccabees, who were both governors and Priests, for that they were by the mothers side of the Tribe of Judah, and by the fathers side of the Tribe of Levi (as Rabbi Kimbi affirmeth) and so from these men down to Hircanus King of Jewry, who was the last King which was lineally descended of the house of David, and of the Tribe of Judah.

Let vs yet moreouer consider the prophecie of old Iacob concerning the particular time of the Messias his appearing. Come hither my children (saith hee) that I may tell you the thinges that are to happen in the latter dayes, ¹