Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

§ 10 That which is foretold concerning this Judah is that it should have [Greek or Hebrew] and [Greek or Hebrew], a Sceptre, and Law-giver, or a Writer of Laws for others observation. That Rule, Power and Government are hereby intended, shall be afterwards evinced. What time this should come to pass, is not limited, only after it did so; it was not to cease until the Shiloh came. The foundation of the execution then of this Promise, in the erection of Polity and Government in that Tribe, was not laid until about six hundred and twenty years after this time. So certain is that which we before observed, that this Patriarchal Benediction concerned not the persons of his Sons, and their then present condition, but that of their posterity in the latter days. And this was done, when the Kingdom was given to David of the Tribe of Judah. Neither is the kind of Government or Rule, which should be erected in that Tribe, expressed in the words; only a Rule and Polity is promised unto it; or that they should be a people having the Principle of Rule or Government in and among themselves. Whilst they continued such, the Sceptre and Scribe departed not from them; and this they did as with great variety in the outward form of Government, though the Law and Polity amongst them were still the same: so not without some intercision of Rule until the time specified was accomplished. And where the Law and Polity are still the same; Accidental alterations in the Modes and manner of Governing, make no Essential Change in the State of the people, or nature of the Government. Thus the first Constitution of Rule in that Tribe, was in a way of Government absolutely Monarchical; This being imprudently managed by Rehoboam, lost the ten Tribes who would never afterwards submit unto the Regal Family of Judah. Its retrieval after an intercision made of it in the Babylonish Captivity was Ducal, or by an honorary President, with a mixture both of Aristocracy, and of the power of the people. Upon the ceasing of these Rulers extraordinarily called, the Aristocracy in the San•••drin prevailed; whereunto succeeded a mixed Monarchy in the Hasmoneans into their power and place, their interest being ruined by intestine Divisions, Herod by craft and external force intruded himself.

§ 10 That which is foretold concerning this Judah is that it should have 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 and 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, a Scepter, and Law-giver, or a Writer of Laws for others observation. That Rule, Power and Government are hereby intended, shall be afterwards evinced. What time this should come to pass, is not limited, only after it did so; it was not to cease untill the Shilo came. The foundation of the execution then of this Promise, in the erection of Polity and Government in that Tribe, was not laid untill about six hundred and twenty years after this time. So certain is that which we before observed, that this Patriarchal Benediction concerned not the persons of his Sons, and their then present condition, but that of their posterity in the latter dayes. And this was done, when the Kingdom was given to David of the Tribe of Judah. Neither is the kind of Government or Rule, which should be erected in that Tribe, expressed in the words; only a Rule and Polity is promised unto it; or that they should be a people having the Principle of Rule or Government in and among themselves. Whilest they continued such, the Scepter and Scribe departed not from them; and this they did as with great variety in the outward form of Goverment, though the Law and Polity amongst them were still the same: so not without some intercision of Rule untill the time specified was accomplished. And where the Law and Polity are still the same; Accidental alterations in the Modes and manner of Governing, make no Essential Change in the State of the people, or nature of the Government. Thus the first Constitution of Rule in that Tribe, was in a way of Government absolutely Monarchical; This being imprudently managed by Rehoboam, lost the ten Tribes who would never afterwards submit unto the Regal Family of Judah. Its retrival after an intercision made of it in the Babylonish Captivity was Ducal, or by an honorary President, with a mixture both of Aristocracy, and of the power of the pople. Upon the ceasing of these Rulers extraordinarily called, the Aristocracy in the Sandrin prevailed; whereunto succeeded a mixt Monarchy in the Hasmonaeans into their power and place, their interest being ruined by intestine Divisions, Herod by craft and external force intruded himself.