(2.) It is so in the matter of it, or the doctrines contained in it; as,—[1.] The nature and properties of God are declared therein. God being the only good, the only fountain and cause of all good- ness, and in whose enjoyment all rest and blessednegs do consist, the revelation made of him, his nature and attributes, reflects a singular goodness on it, John xvii. 3. If it be incomparably better to know - God than to enjoy the whole world and all that is in it, that word must be good whereby he is revealed unto us, Jer. ix. 28, 24. [2.] It is exceeding good in the revelation of the glorious mystery of the Trinity, therein alone contained. This is that mystery the knowledge whereof is the only means to have a right apprehension of all other
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: HEB. VI. 4-6 EXPLAINED. 29
sacred truths; and without it no one of them can be understood in
a due manner, nor improved unto a due end. This is that alone which will give true rest and peace to the soul. And there is not the meanest true believer in the world, who is exercised in faith and
_ obedience, but he hath the power of this truth in and u pon his mind,
though he be not able to speak much of the notions of it. All grace
and truth are built hereon and do centre herein, and thence derive
their first power and efficacy. Not one saving apprehension can we have of any gracious dispensation of God towards us, but it is re- solved into the existence of God in a trinity of persons, and the eco- nomy of their operations with respect unto us. It is a “good word” whereby that mystery is revealed. [3.] It is so in the revelation of the whole mystery of the incarnation of the Son of God, with all the effects of infinite wisdom and grace thereunto belonging. What a satisfactory goodness this is accompanied withal, it is the most part of my business in this world to inquire and declare. [4.] It is so in the declaration of all the benefits of the mediation of Christ, in mercy, grace, pardon, justification, adoption, ete.
(3.) It is a good word with respect unto its blessed effects, Ps. xix. 7-9; Acts xx. 32; James i. 21. On this account the psalmist assures us that it is “ more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold ;” that it is “ sweeter than honey and the honey-comb,” Ps. xix. 10 ;—that is, there is an incomparable excellency, worth, and goodness in it. And he who discerns not this goodness in the word of God isa stranger unto all real benefits by it.
2. How apostatizing persons do taste of this good word.of God
‘may be briefly declared. And their so doing hath respect unto the
threefold property of it mentioned, whence it is denominated “good:”
(1.) Its truth; (2.) Its subject-matter; (3.) Its effects.
And,—(1.) They taste of it as it is true, in the convictions they
have thereof, in their knowledge in it, and acknowledgment of it. _ This gives (as it is the nature of truth to do) some serenity and satis-
faction unto their minds, although they are not renewed thereby.
. They that heard John preach the truth rejoiced in his light, as find-
ing much present satisfaction therein, John v. 35. So was it with
_ them, Luke iv. 22, John vii. 46, and others mnumerable, on the like occasion of hearing our Saviour preach. When men, through the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, do escape the pol- lutions that are in the world through lust, and them that live in
error, they taste a goodness, a sweetness, in the rest and satisfaction ‘of their minds, so as that they suppose they are really possessed of _ the things themselves.
(2.) With respect unto the matter of the word, they have a taste of its goodness in the hopes which they have of their future enjoy-
30 THE NATURE AND CAUSES OF APOSTASY.
ment. Mercy, pardon, life, immortality, and glory, are all proposed in the “good word of God.” These, upon those grounds which will fail them at last, they have such hopes to be made partakers of as that they find a great relish and satisfaction therein, especially when they have relief thereby against their fears and convictions; for, even in those ways wherein they deceive themselves, they have a taste of what sweetness and goodness there is in these things unto them by whom they are enjoyed. And as those who really believe and receive Jesus Christ in the word do thereon “rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory,” 1 Pet. i. 8, so those who only taste of the word do feel in themselves a great complacency in their affec- tions, Matt. xiii. 20; for,—
(3.) By this taste they may receive many effects of the word on their minds and consciences, and therein have an experience of the word as unto its power and efficacy. It belongs unto the exposi- tion of the place to speak a little hereunto, and withal to declare what the difference is between them, and wherein this tasting comes short of that receiving and feeding on the word by faith which is peculiar unto true believers.