Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

Now this determination of time enquired after, was first made by Jacob, Gen. 49.8, § 3 9, 10. accompanied with a signal demonstration of one especial person, from whom the Messiah was to proceed, even in the Family of Abraham himself; such another restriction also, and but one, ensued, when that privilege which originally rested in Abraham and his family, and afterwards restrained unto Judah and his posterity; and lastly, confined unto David and his off-spring, was ever after left at large unto any branch of that Family. And this I mention by the way, to prevent any difficulties about his Genealogy. For as in the very first instance of the Regal Succession in the house of David there was no respect had to the Primogeniture, 1 Kings 2.22. So there was no necessity that the Messiah should spring from the reigning Family, although he did so; but only that he should be of the Seed of David. For as after the Promise given unto Abraham, the Messiah might have sprung from any Family whatever of his posterity by Isaac, until the limitation made by Jacob unto the person of Judah; and after that limitation, might have done so from any Family of his Tribe or Posterity, until the confinement of that privilege to the person of David; so no restriction or limitation being afterwards added, his production by any person of his Posterity, whether in a nearer or further alliance, to, or from the Reigning Line, was all that was included in the Promise. To return, the words of the place above quoted are, Judah thou art be whom thy Brethren shall praise; thine hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; Thy Fathers children shall bow down before thee. Judah is a Lyons whelp from the prey, my Son, thou art gone up, he stooped down, he couched as a Lion, and as an old Lion who shall rouse him up, [Greek or Hebrew]; The Sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a Law-giver, or Scribe, from between his feet until Shiloh come; and to him the gathering of people; These last words are the seat of our Argument, the former therefore we shall no otherwise consider, but as they give light and evidence to their interpretation.

Now this determination of time enquired after, was first made by Jacob, Gen. 49.8, § 3 9, 10. accompanied with a signal demonstration of one especial person, from whom the Messiah was to proceed, even in the Family of Abraham himself; such another restriction also, and but one, ensued, when that priviledge which originally rested in Abraham and his family, and afterwards restrained unto Judah and his posterity; and lastly, confin'd unto David and his off-spring, was ever after left at large unto any branch of that Family. And this I mention by the way, to prevent any difficulties about his Genealogie. For as in the very first instance of the Regal Succession in the house of David there was no respect had to the Primogeniture,