The Life ofFaith. 251 word. Patient waiting Gods.own time, is as needful as be- lieving : Yea he that bcli.eveth, will not make hafie, Ifa. 28. r6. Rom. 2.7. 27hef. 3.5. lames 5. 7,8. !lib.- 6. 12. & 10. 36. & r2. I. jaws 5. 7. Revel, 13. roe & r7bef. t.3, It. Drrt . 15. God often promifetb the thing, when he promifeth not either in what manner, or by what inffrument be will do it, He may deliver his Church, and may deliver particular per- totes our of trouble ; and yet do it in a way, and by fuch means as they never dreamed of. Sometimes he foretelleth us his means, when it is we that in duty are to ufe them. And fometimes he keepeth them unknown to us, when they are only to be ufedby himfelf. In the Mount will the Lord be feet: but yet Abraham thoright not ofthe Ram in the Thicker. The Ifraclites knew not that God would deliver themby the hand ofMsfes, AFIs 7.25. Direct. 16. Take not the prtmifes proper to one timeor age of the Cburcb, as if they were common to all, or unto us. There were many promifes to the Hi aclites, which belong not to us, as well as many precepts : The increafe of their feed, and the notable profperity'in the world which was pro- ended them, was partlybecaufe that the motive fhould be fuit- ed to the ceremonial duties, and partly becaufe the eternal things bring not then fo fully brought to light as now, they were the more to be moved with the prefent outward tokens ofGods Love. And fo the gift of the Spirit of Miracles, and Infallibility, for writing and confirmïrg Scriptures, was pro- mired to the flail age, which is`not prornifed to us. Dire, 27. Take not anygoodmans obfervation in thofe times for anunivoefaipromi fe ofGod. For laffz.nce, David Inch, PP!. 13. I have been young, and now am o22' , .yet did 1 never fee' the righteous forfallen, nor kit feed bggissg eir bread. But if he had lived in Gofpel times, where God give greater heavenly bleffings and comforts,and calleth mot to higher degrees of patience and mortification, and contempt ofthe world, he might have Peen manyboth of the righteous and their feed begging theiebread, thoughnot forfaken i yea Chrift himfelf asking for water of a woman, 3obos 4. I i 2 Direr.
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