that grace which is revealed in the Gospell, as it evidently appeares by the connexion of this verse, with that which went before. So Tit. 3.4. Reas. 1. Because this glorious grace of God, whch brings salvation unto men by Christ, is the subject matter and argument of the Gospell. 2. Because God bestowes this grace upon us, being altogether unworthy of it, enemies to him, and seeking no such thing of him: for after such a manner is this grace bestowed upon us, as that from the beginning to the end, the whole businesse depends upon the meere goodnesse of God. Vse. 1. This may serve to informe us, to judge of the quality and quantity of the goodnesse and graciousnesse of Christ, no other way but by the word of the Gospell; for we must not imagine, as many use to doe, that through the graciousnesse of God, it shall be well with us, though we continue in our sinnes without repentance and turning to God: no such graciousnesse is revealed in the Gospell. 2. To instruct us, alwayes to admire the riches and bounty of Christs grace, that is revealed in the Gospell. 3. To exhort us, earnestly to desire, to take delight, and to rejoyce in hearing and meditating upon Gods word. Psal. 27.4. & 65.4. & 119.103. in this respect is the use of the word of the Gospell compared to the banquet of a King, wherein all things are full of Sweetnesse and delight. Luke 14.16.17. Doct. 9. This goodnesse of Christ in the Gospell is proposed to us to be tasted.
This is gathered from these words: If so be ye have tasted. So Psal. 34.8. Taste and see. That is, we should so lay hold upon it by faith, that we may have an inward sense, and experience of the vertue and power thereof.
Reas. 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 Cor. 2.15.16. 3. Because the power of Christ in drawing our soules unto himselfe, for the most part consists
