text, when they are stirred up to a more fervent desire of the word of God.
Vse 1. This may serve for consolation against those feares that arise sometimes in the soules of the godly, for that they have but a little measure of peace joy, and the like fruits of the Spirit, whereby men perceive the goodnesse of God towards them: for they must understand that the faithfull do usually perceive but a little measure of this grace at the beginning. 2. For exhortation, so much the more to long for the state of perfection, and not to rest in these small beginnings. Doct. 11. That taste of the grace of God which we either now have, or formerly had, should stirre us up to desire and seeke after the same more and more.
This is gathered from the connexion of these words with those that went before.
Reason 1. Because to that end is there a taste of this grace given, to stirre up the appetite. 2. Because the goodnesse of God it selfe is in a manner contemned and vilified, if it be neglected, after it hath beene once tasted: & therefore in this respect they sinne more grievously, who when they have tasted this grace of God, do little esteem of it, then they, who out of ignorance make no reckoning of it at all. Use 1. This may serve to reprove those that have left their first love, Apoc. 2.4. 2. To exhort us, in meditating upon the goodnesse of God in Christ, and from the sense and experience that God hath given us of it heretofore, to inflame our mindes with an earnest desire to have a fuller measure of this grace, and to that purpose religiously to use all meanes, whereby it is usually communicated unto men. Doct. 12. The primary duty of Christians, whereby it is also that they are made Christians, is to come unto Christ.
This is gathered out of the fourth verse. Now to come unto Christ, is nothing else but to believe in him. So Iohn 6.35. He that comes unto me, and he that beleeves in me, are made all one. So Iohn 5.40. To come unto Christ, to receive Christ, and to believe in him, are one and the same. And Heb. 10.22. We are said to draw neere by an assurance of faith.
