r what is wine. Therefore he adds, if ye
have besides tasted that the Lord is gracious; as though he had said,
whoever has not tasted it, to him it is not a thing of the heart, to
him it is not sweet; but they who have tried it, who grow by the food
and by the word, to them it tastes pleasant and is sweet.

But it is said to be _tasted_, when I believe with my heart that
Christ has given Himself for me, and has become my own, and my sin
and misery are His, and His life also is mine. When this reaches my
heart, then it _tastes_; for how can I but receive joy and gladness
therefrom? I am heartily glad, as though some good friend should
bestow on me a hundred florins. But as to him whose heart it does not
reach, he cannot rejoice himself therewith. But they taste it best
who lie in the straits of death, or whom an evil conscience
oppresses; for in that case hunger is a good cook, as we say, that
makes the food have a good relish. For the heart and conscience can
hear nothing more soothing, when they feel their misery; after _this_
they are anxious, they smell the provision afar off and cannot be
satisfied. So also speaks Mary, in the _Magnificat_: "The hungry also
has he filled with good things." But that hardened class who live in
their own holiness, build on their own works, and feel not their sin
and misery, they taste this not. Whoever sits at table and is hungry,
he relishes all, readily; but to him who is previously full, nothing
relishes, but he can only murmur at the most excellent food.
Therefore the Apostle says, if ye have besides tasted that the Lord
is gracious. But it is as though he had said, If ye have not tasted
it, then I preach to you in vain.--He further says:

V. 4. _To whom ye art come as to a living stone._ Here he falls back
again upon the Scripture, and quotes the prophet Isaiah, chap.
xxviii., where he also says: "Hear now what God says to you,
scorners: ye say, we have made a league with death and with hell, and
have made lies our trust. Therefore thus saith the Lord, I lay in the
foundation of Zion an elect, precious corner stone, a sure
foundation," etc.

This passage Paul has also quoted, and it is an important passage of
Scripture, for Christ is the precious head-stone which God has laid,
on which we must be built.

And observe how St. Peter quotes the expression, and shows the stone
to signify Christ. Just as Isaiah had spoken of setting confidence
upon Him, St. Peter likewise says, i