[11] Euseb. demon. lib. 8. cap. 1. Montacut. in Analect. p. 72. Casaub. contra Baron. pag. 16.
Some take Scepter,
1. For legal power[12], and soveraign authority, residing in one man principally.
2. For the form of government[13], and face of a Common-wealth, governed and ruled by its own laws, customes, and rites: signifying as well the rule and authority of inferiour Magistrates, yea of Priests also, as of Kings and Princes.
[12] Patres plerique omnes.
[13] Casaubon advers. Baron. p. 19. It. p. 23. Justinus Mart. in Dialog. cum Tryphone. Cunæus lib. 1. de rep. Heb. c. 9. p. 82.
From these different acceptions of these two words, flow four different acceptions of Jacobs Prophecy.
Some are of opinion[14], that the Scepter taken in the second acception, began to be given to Judah, that is, to the Two Tribes cleaving to Rehoboam, at the time of that division of the People: and that their Scepter was not taken from them until the destruction of Jerusalem; because, that after Herods time until then, their Laws remained in force, their Priesthood continued, and their Common-wealth, though it were much defaced, yet not quite overthrown.
[14] Cunæus lib. 1. de rep. Heb. cap. 11. pag. 96.