3) That the penitent is favorably received and forgives his sins (Luke 15:4).

4) That He punishes the sinner, but mercifully and philanthropically.

5) That He does not disdain our prayer and singing and praise, Whom the Angels sing and praise with fear, but even calls and commands us to pray and ask Him for everything that pleases His will.

6) That He Himself converses with us in His holy word. Read the Scriptures and see what king does to his subjects as our God does to us? There is no such thing in the world! Taste and see how good the Lord is (Psalm 33:9).

7) God's goodness to us was revealed most of all in the incarnation of the Only-begotten Son of God. Here all the treasures of His goodness have been revealed, which we cannot comprehend. Our Saviour Himself preaches about this: "God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life" (John 3:16). This is the Gospel, this is the glad tidings, this is our hope and eternal life. Of this we dare to boast, and by this we shut the mouths of our slanderers: the Only-begotten Son of God came into the world for our sake, suffered, and died. If God is for us, who is against us (Romans 8:31)? Glory to the Father who was well pleased, and to the Son who suffered, and to the Holy Comforter the Spirit. May the glory of the Lord be forever.

8) Though here we eat and see the goodness of God, yet we will abundantly eat and see and enjoy in eternal life, according to His true promise: "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor entered into the heart of man, the things which God has prepared for them that love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Reasoning and tasting the goodness of God.

1) It kindles love for God in our hearts. For conscience itself convinces us to love Him Who loves us and does us good.

2) Produces true thanksgiving to the Benefactor in the heart.

3) Produces ineffable spiritual joy and exclamation.

4) Indignation produces true sorrow for God's sake and against oneself in the repentant sinner, because God did good to the sinner, but he insulted and angered the Benefactor, and foolishly despised His goodness. Thinking about this, he will be stung like an arrow by sorrow for the sake of God, his Benefactor, whom he despises.

5) From there follows shame for ingratitude, which is needed in repentance, as a prophet confesses: "With You, O Lord, is righteousness, but we have shame on our faces" (Dan. 9:7). Truly, shame and shame befit us for the fact that, being a creature, earth and ashes, we insult our Creator, and because of our insignificant baseness we do not realize His greatness, and moreover, always satiated with His blessings, we do not thank our Benefactor. God does us good, but we do not love Him. Shame and shame on a person who does not honor and does not love a man who is his benefactor. How much more ashamed it behooves us that we do not love or revere God, our Creator, Provider, and Father. All creation convicts us of this, for with all diligence it serves Him as its Creator. Therefore Thou hast righteousness, O Lord, but we have shame on our faces, Dan. 9:7.

6) Patience in punishment will follow, since a person will recognize that he worthily suffers punishment, as ungrateful. Reflecting on how much God's goodness has been poured out on him, and on his own ingratitude to God, he recognizes himself worthy of all punishment.

7) Humiliation of oneself and humility will follow, for one recognizes oneself as unworthy of any of God's blessings, although everyone should admit this. For God freely bestows His blessings upon all.