The life of faith in three parts, the first is a sermon on Heb.…

There were many promises to the Israelites, which belong not to us, as well as many precepts: The increase of their seed, and the notable prosperity in the world which was promised them, was partly because that the motive should be suited to the ceremonial duties, and partly because the eternal things being not then so fully brought to light as now, they were the more to be moved with the present outward tokens of Gods Love. And so the gift of the Spirit of Miracles, and Infallibility, for writing and confirming Scriptures, was promised to the first age, which is not promised to us.

Direct. 17. Take not any good mans observation in those times for an universal promise of God.

For instance, David saith, Psal. 73. I have been young, and now am old; yet did I never see the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging their bread. But if he had lived in Gospel times, where God giveth greater heavenly blessings and comforts, and calleth men to higher degrees of patience and mortification, and contempt of the world, he might have seen many both of the righteous and their seed begging their bread, though not forsaken; yea Christ himself asking for water of a woman, John 4.