Chap. i7. thofe dayes will I pot re out my Spirit, Joel 2. 28, 29, . So that now this office (hall not be with halite to forme , but promifcuotifly in all. Firíf, Old Teftament- prophecies muff be underftood accor- ding to New Tefament- Interpretations,not alwayes as in the let-, tertheymayfeemtoholdthings "out, but as the Spirit of God Ithere unfolds them ; and as the event to thofe that live in after - ages in the Church clears them. The rigid adhering to the letter of myfticall prophecies, bath brought many into dangerous fnares. This holds the Jews in blindnetfe looking after a Meli- a'', with a temporal rule and power ; and therefore they will re- ceive no other. Thiscaufed many in Chrifts time to expect Eli- jah in perfon, and not to regard ?ohn who came in the power and Spirit of Elijah. This holds thole of the Church of Rome that they fee not that Antichrift who oppofeth Chrift in a myftery, butexpe& one that oppofeth Chrift openly. And let others take heed, that it do not deceive them,while they look after a perfonal reigne of Chrift upon earth , which fome myfterious Scriptures feeme to imply, when open clear Texts do manifeftly con- tradift. Secondly, When in the New Tel}ament this prophecie was firft fulfilled, obferve, what way was taken for the fulfilling ofit ; The Spirit comes in the forme of tongues, fiery and cloven, and fate upon each of them ; and this Peter fayes, was that which was fore- told by Joel the Prophet, f1í1.2. 16. 1 here is a fingular analo- gy between Scripture- fignes and the thing fignified whether ordinary in Sacraments, or extraordinary in Vifions. This fhews in what manner and way the spirit is communicated, in all Lan- guages, in all Nations that the Spirit is received by the hearing ofFaith; I f Peter may interpret 7oel,a Miniftery is eftablithed and not overthrown. Thirdly, Thofe high expreffions there,ferve only to let out the abundance of knowledge which men by the Minifteriall work thould reach in Gofpel- times ; what Prophets then faw, and thofe that faw vifions, and dreamed dreams , knew that men of all ranks fhould fee, what the Prophets diligently enquired after, i Pet, i. ra. they ihonld underftand. Fourthly, I could with that thefe men would coniare another prophecie of New Teftament.times, Zach. 13. 2. where the R 2 Lord and the Covenant of Grace. I 2 3 Joel z. z 8, 29. vindicated. Anfw.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=