The Apastle Peter not onely makes use of these words, but expones them, and shewes the accomplishment of them in some degree; (as it is said in the sixth rule before) for Act. 2.16. he saith. This is that which was spoken by the Prophet Ioel, And it shall come to passe in the last daies &c. And verse, 22. Ye men of Israel heare these words, Jesus of Nazareth a man approved of God among you by miracles, wonders and signes, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye your selves know.
The Apostle repeats, but expounds not the Prophets words, and consequently shewes not the accomplishment of ought that the Prophet affirms shall be done. All that he shewes is this, That the thing which then happened to the Apostles, was the worke of the same spirit which Joel spake of: but he saith not, that it was the same worke. The same spirit indeed was then powred out, but it was not the same powring out of the spirit. And for want of distinguishing betwixt the effusion of the same spirit, and the same effusion of the spirit; you affirme, that those things which the Prophet saies the spirit shall doe not long before the Lord's second comming, were then done at his first comming. And the reason you bring from St. Peters words, Act. 2. verse 22. to shew, that the prophecy of Joel was then fulfild in part, is a very strange one. For the Prophet shewes what others shall doe through the extraordinary inspiration of the Spirit, before the Day of the Lord comes; and the words you have alledg'd doe shew, what works Christ himselfe did, when he was come.