the most abandoned of men could have been drinking to intoxication so early as nine o'clock in the morn- ing, and that upon a solemn feast-day, when they were about to worship God in his temple ; and then proceeds to argue with them respecting the Messiah- ship of Christ, as proved by this event. He states,
1. That this miraculous gift was foretold by the Prophet Joel, as to be conferred by the Messiah —
[The passage cited from the prophet Joel undoubtedly refers to the times of the Messiah b. Previous to that time the Holy Spirit had been given only in a very partial way to a few: but, when Christ should be glorified, he was to be poured out, as it were, upon multitudes, both of men and women, that by his miraculous operations he might testify of Christ, and by his efficacious grace he might bring men to Christ.
After this should have been done for a space of time sufficient to evince the distinguished kindness of God towards his ancient people, and their incorrigible obstinacy towards him, God would give them signs of a very different kind ; even such terrible signs, as should be like " turning the sun into darkness, and the moon into blood ;" and then should destruction come upon them to the uttermost : but as, previously to that period, all who should believe in Christ should be saved from the con- demnation in which all others would be involved, so, at that period, all his believing people should escape the miseries which would overwhelm the residue of that devoted nation.
This was the plain meaning of the prophecy, which at this time began to be fulfilled ; and which in due season should receive a perfect accomplishment.]
2. That this gift was actually conferred by Jesus —
[It was known to all of them, that Jesus, during his ministry on earth, had wrought innumerable miracles in confirmation of his word and doctrine : and though the nation had put him to an ignominious death, yet had God raised him from the dead, and empowered him to send forth the Spirit in the manner he had done.
With respect to the truth of his resurrection, it had been foretold in terms that could be applicable to him alonec. It could not be of himself that David spake those words ; for lie did die, and see corruption ; and his tomb remained even to the Apostles' days : but Jesus saw no corruption : his soul was not left in the place of departed spirits, nor was his body
b Compare ver. 16— 21. with Joel ii. 28—32. c Compare ver. 23 — 28. with Ps. xvi. 8—11.