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differing from him, in refpect both to his interpretation, and the conclufion he draws from it. For, I muft confefs, the explanation of this prophecy, by another moft excellent interpreter of Scripture, BISHOP SHERLOCK, appears to me to be the true one; notwithstanding the very fhrewd objections, (for, what objection is there of his, which is not fhrewd?) made to it by Bifhop Warburton.

Dr. Sherlock confiders the word

tranflated fceptre, to mean a ftaff, which was the ENSIGN of a TRIBE, NOT the enfign of SOVEREIGNTY. His explanation, therefore, perfectly

agrees

agrees with the time, at which Mede fuppofes the prophecy was completed, though their fovereignty or government ceafed before, and is likewife confiftent with any verfion, which can be given to the latter end of the verfe. But I muft likewife confefs, that Mede's interpretation is ftill more inconfiftent with his own. conceffions, than I have yet fhown it to be. For, if the fceptre was not to depart from Judah, not only 'till Shiloh came, but, 'till likewife the gathering of the people was to him, both which events did not take place, 'till the deftruction of Jerufalem ; I fee not how this can be reconciled with his explanation, that

the

the departure of the fceptre from Judah, meant, "it's ceafing to be` a ftate, a body politick, or commonwealth, having a POWER of coVERNMENT, and and JURISDICTION

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WITHIN ITSELF, AND A RULER OF IT'S OWN." All which, certainly, agreeably to his own conceffions, happened, not only long before Titus, but even during the infancy of JESUS, or the EMMANUEL.*

For,

He justly indeed obferves, that Pompey's conquefts of the Jewish state, and subjection of it to the Romans, caufed the fceptre no more to depart from Judah, than when they were fubjected to Nebuchadnezzar, or to the Perfian, or Grecian monarchies. For there is undoubtedly a wide dif

ference,

For, he himself allows, that upon the banishment of Archelaus, Judea did become a ROMAN ROMAN PROVINCE, and confequently, CEASED TO HAVE A JURISDICTION WITHIN ITSELF, and A RULER OF IT'S OWN.

That THIS WAS the time, when Judah loft it's independence, kingdom, and government, is evident, likewife,

ference, between fubjecting a country, fo as only to make it dependent on, and even tributary to another; and by making it a province of an empire, divefting it of it's conftitution and felf-government. The former only, was the cafe of Judea, on it's fubjection by Pompey; but, the latter happened in the time of Archelaus.

likewife, from the New Testament. For, we find the Jews themfelves declaring, that any one, who claims to be king over them, is an enemy to Cæfar, and that they acknowledge no other king but him. It is evident, indeed, even from the very text, the acute Bifhop Sherlock adduces, to prove the contrary. For, when Pilate bade the Jews to take Jefus, and judge him according to their law; they reminded him, that it was not lawful for them to put any one to death.

Left any of you fhould retain a doubt, whether the government departed from Judah, or that BOTH

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