_Reason_ 1. Because in the Gospell, we are called to such a neere union and communion with Christ, that he is made unto us our spirituall bread and food, So to be tasted and eaten by faith, that he turnes to our spirituall nourishment. 2. Because our comfort depends upon this, if wee perceive in our selves the savour of Christ, as it were the savour of life unto life. _2 Corinthians 2. 15,16._ 3. Because the power of Christ in drawing our soules unto himselfe, for the most part consists in this, that we have his goodnesse and love, to be tasted, as it were, _Galatians 2.20._ _2 Corinthians 5.14._ _Vse_ 1. This may serve _to reprove those_, that doe not use the word of God, as food to be tasted and eaten, but for custome and _pro forma_ fashion-sake only, or at least account it a thing to be understood and disputed of only; but not to be tasted. 2. _To exhort us_, to use all care and diligence to preserve this taste of the goodnesse of Christ in the Gospell; for this is proper to the regenerate, as it appeares in the text: and consequently it is a signe of salvation. Some indeed that are not regenerate are said to taste of the heavenly gift, of the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, _Hebrews 6.4,5._ but this comes to passe, first, by some speciall operation of Gods Spirit, whereby such men are enlightned above the common sort of unregenerate men. Secondly, this is but for a little while, it is not constantly. Thirdly, in the unregenerate it is but a sudden motion of the minde, it is not a rooted affection. Fourthly, it is either of grace only to come, which is apprehended also, but by a humane and uncertaine hope; or else it is a presumption without ground: but the taste of the faithfull is of grace, not only to come, but also present, with a divine assurance wrought by the operation of the holy Ghost, and sound faith and repentance. Doctrine 10. _The regenerate in the beginning; although they be truly faithfull, yet they have but a little taste of Gods goodnesse, they do not fully comprehend it._ This is gathered from the same words. _Reason_ 1. Because they are new borne babes, and therefore weake. 2. Because God useth to bring his children by degrees unto perfection; so that at first they do perceive but a part or the first fruits of his goodnesse, and afterwards they have the whole, as it were shed abroad in their hearts. 3. Because in the beginning they want that experience, whereby the goodnesse of God afterwards is made more perfectly knowne unto them. 4. Because oftentimes they are also somewhat negligent; whereby it comes to passe, that they do not use the meanes of grace with that affection as they ought, as it is intimated in the text, when they are stirred up to a more fervent desire of the word of God.