That which we should labour to bring with us is a taste of these dainties, and an appetite to them. The soul hath a taste of its own, and as aU creatures that have life have a taste to relish and distinguish of that which is good for them, from that which is offensive, so wheresoever spiritual hfe is, there is likewise a taste suitable to the sweet rehsh that is in spiritual things, God should lose the glory of many excellent creatures if there were not several senses to discern of several goodness in them. So if there were not a taste in the soul, we could never delight in God, and his rich good- ness in Christ.
Taste is the most necessary sense for the preservation of the creature, because there is nearest appUcation in taste ; and that we should not be deceived in taste, we hear, see, and smell before, and if these senses give a good report of the object, then we taste of it and digest it, and turn it into fit nourishment. Omnis vita gustu ducitur. So the spirit of man, after judgment of the fitness of what is presented, tastes of it, dehghts in it, and is nourished by it. There is an attractive, drawing power in the soul, whereby every member sucks that out of the food that is convenient for it. So the soul draws out what is well digested by judgment, and makes it its own for several uses.
The chief thing that Christ requireth is a good stomach to these dainties. ' 1, The means to procure an appetite. We are fii'st to be sensible of spiritual tvants and viisenj. The passover lamb was eaten with sour herbs ; so Christ crucified, relisheth best to a soul affected with bitterness of sin. Whilst men are rich in their conceit, they go empty away. The duties and
Cant. V. 1.] *eat, o fkiends ; drink.' 35
performances they trust to, are but husks, wandy, eoipty chaff. Swelling is not kind nourishment.
2. That tchich hinders the sharpness of the stomach are, cold defluonons, that dull and flat the edge of it. So upon plodding upon the world, cold distillations drop upon the soul, and take away the savom- and desire of heavenly things. These things fill not. There is both a vanity of empti- ness, and a vanity of short continuance in them. * Why should we lay out om* money,' Isa. Iv. 2, spend our time, our wits, our endeavour so much about them ? This makes so many starvelings in religion.
Besides, there be other noisome affections to be purged, as 1 Pet. ii. 1, [' WTierefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and en^ies, and all evil speakings,' which breed a distaste and disaffection to spiritual things ;] as maUce and guile, &c. How can Christ be sweet to that soul unto which revenge is sweet !
3. Exercise quickens appetite. Those that exercise themselves unto godli- ness, see a need of spu-itual strength to maintain duty. A dull fonnahst keeps his round, and is many years after where he was before; sees no need of fm-ther growth or strength. A Christian life, managed as it should be indeed, .as it hath much going out, so it must have much coming in. It will not else be kept up. Those that have a journey to go, will refresh them- selves for afterward, lest they faint by the way.
4. Company likewise of such as ' labom- for that blessed food that endureth to life eternal,' John vi. 27, provoketh to fall too as the rest do, especially if they be equal or go bej'ond us in parts. For we will reason with our- selves, Have not I as much need as they ? If these things be good for them, then they are good for me.
Thus St Paul foretelleth, that the example of the Gentiles should provoke the Jews to come in, and taste of the banquet Chi-ist hath provided for both, Rom. xi. 25, 26. Especially this should stii- us up earnestly to take our part in that Chiist hath pro\'ided, because we know not how soon the table may be taken away. "\Mien men see the dishes in removing, though before they have discom-sed away much time of their supper, yet then they will faU fresh to it. We know not how long wisdom will be inviting of us. It "uill be our wisdom to take our time, lest we put off so long, as wisdom herself laughs at our destruction ; and a famine be sent, of all famines the most miserable, a famine of the word, and then we may pine away eternally without comfort. Christ will not always stand inviting of us. If we will none of his cheer, others will, and shall, when we shall starve.
Let this draw us on, that we see here Christ's hearty and free welcome, the gracious look that we are like to have from him. He counts it an honour, since he hath made such rich provision, for us to take part, and for our part, shew our unwillingness, that such free kindness should be refused. We cannot honour his bounty more than to feed liberally of that he liberally sets before us. We are glad to perceive our friends upon invi- tation to think themselves welcome. Let us open our mouth wide, since Christ is so ready to fiU it. We are not straitened in his love, but in our own hearts. The widow's oil failed not till her vessels failed, 2 Kings iv. 6. We are bidden to delight in the Lord, and in whom should we delight, but where all fulness is to be had to dehght in ? Om- spirits are not so large as those blessed comforts are which we are called to the enjojTuent of. If the capacity of our souls were a thousand times larger, yet there is so large a sea of comfort in Christ, as they are not able to comprehend it. A taste of these good things breeds ' joy unspeakable,' and ' peace that passeth all