John 6:27

In the next place; Christ, having thus reproved them, doth also direct them how to amend their fault, by employing their paines and care, chiefly about the spiritual good of their souls, and not about these perishing things. And this he presseth upon them, partly, from the consideration of the one and the other food; and partly, from his promise to give that spiritual food unto them, if they seek it sincerely; which he confirmeth, further, from his being authorized, furnished and manifested to be the Messiah, the Saviour and helper of lost sinners. Whence learn. 1. Christ doth not reprove the faults of men out of malicious splene; but he is so ready to cherish desires of seeking himself, that even when men are unsound in seeking him, he reproves them, not to put them away, but to cure them, and make them sound; Therefore, doth he subjoyne this direction, and warme encouragement, to the former reproofe. 2. As unsoundnesse in seeking Christ is a disease that must be cured, otherwise it will draw on perdition; So even that is a disease which Christ is ready to cure, and hath medecine for; So much appeareth in this pains taken on these seekers. 3. Men will never employ themselves rightly in seeking Christ, till first their hearts be weaned from earthly things, and fall most in love with what concerns their souls eternal welfare; and till the things of the world cease to be their principal labour and end, and they cease to follow Christ and religion, for worldly ends and advantages; for, so much is imported in this direction, Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat, &c. Which prohibition is not to be understood absolutely, as if it were simply unlawful to labour, or take pains about the things of the world, for that is contrary to Scripture rules, Gen. 3.19. 2 Thes. 3.10. 1 Tim. 5.8. And if the World were kept in it’s own roome, it would prove no enemy to grace: But it is to be taken comparatively (as in the like phrase, Matth. 9.13.) that they should not only, or chiefly be taken up with the world, neglecting what is better, as all mankinde is since Adam fell from God to the creature; and, that they should not make the world their aime in seeking him, as they did. 4. Albeit men can merit no more by their works, then the beggers craving merits the almes; Yet men are not to expect, that they will come to the enjoyment of spiritual things, with idlenesse, or wishes only; But they must be at pains for them, and such pains, as flesh and blood will finde it hard labour; for, saith he, labour not — but for that meat, &c. where he diverts their affections and eagernesse from off these earthly things, and sets them upon the right object. 5. It may help to wean our hearts from the world, when we consider that, however natural hearts feed upon the things of the world, and their soules imagine satisfaction in them; Yet, if they had the world at their will, they will get no more of it, but their bit meat, which the poorest may attain unto: Therefore, doth he comprehend all earthly things under the name of meat, not only, because it was their meat they were now most taken up with; but to point out what was the most they might expect of the things of time, let them have what dreams they please; and, to suggest an argument why they should not toile so much for that which could afford them so little. See, Eccles. 5.11. 6. It may also coole our affections to the world, when we consider, that, however men want not enough of toile, when they embrace the world for a portion, (for, they labour for this meat:) Yet, all they labour for, is but of a perishing nature, and perisheth in the useing, Matth. 15.17. It serves but to uphold a perishing life; and cannot prevent it’s perishing at last, 1 Cor. 6.13. And, where souls get no better, and men do only and mainly labour for it, it will cause them perish eternally; for, this is another ground of disswasion, it is the meat which perisheth. 7. Christ doth here commend himselfe and his spiritual graces, to be laboured for, under the name of meat. 1. Because now they were earnestly seeking for meat, therefore he points out himselfe as excellent and better meat; Thus to the woman of Samaria, coming for water, he points out himselfe as living water, chap. 4.10. And so it teacheth, That whatsoever men seek in the creature, they will finde it more eminently and excellently in Christ, if they will come to him. 2. To shew the necessity sinners have of Christ, and his usefulnesse to them; for, as meat is the mean of preserving life, so not only unrenewed sinners continue dead without him, but the souls of these who have any life, will be in peril of starving without him: and if they feed upon him, their souls shall live, and be refreshed by him. 3. To shew his love, who, as meat is prepared for eating, by fire; so he was content to be rosted in the fire of Gods displeasure, that he might be fit food for starving and pining souls. 4. To shew the neare conjunction that must be betwixt Christ and them who reap spiritual benefit by him; for, as food must be eaten, and digested, and turned into our substance, before it can nourish, so must we apply Christ, and have him dwelling in us, before we draw forth of his refreshing vertue. Doctrine 8. It doth commend Christ, and may quicken our appetite and desire after him, that he is food which neither perisheth in using, nor diminisheth, how manysoever partake of it, and maketh them who partake thereof, to endure and be happy for ever: and therefore ought to be esteemed of above other food, as much as our souls are better then our bodies, and our eternal welfare to be preferred to our temporal life: for, it is another argument pressing this labour, he is that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, both in himselfe, and in his effects in believers. 9. Albeit, oft-times, such as labour most for earthly things, may starve and want, for all their pains; Yet it may encourage men to seek Christ, that none shall do it in vain, but however he may see it fit to sharpen their appetite with delay, yet he will at last satisfie them; Therefore doth he quicken them yet more with a promise, that what they labour for, shall be given. 10. Christ is so liberal and faithful in rewarding them who seek him, that even carnal hypocrites will not be refused, if they quit their unsoundnesse, and put him in the roome of the Idol they are seeking; for, on these tearmes, the promise is made, even to these whom he had reproved, to you. 11. Whatever pains men are bound to take, or do take in seeking Christ, yet all the reward they receive, is of free gift, and sinners seekers will see it to be so; for, he shall give it unto you, saith he. 12. As Christ is the true food of souls, so is he the giver thereof, and all of it must come through his hand; for, the Sonne of man shall give it, not only by giving himselfe to death, that he might purchase life, and become fit food, but by the actual application of himselfe, and his purchased benefits, to every hungry sinner. 13. Christs assinitie to us, and his being our kinsman, and of the same nature with us, is a pledge to them that seek him, that he will tenderly and faithfully supply their necessities; Therefore doth he take the name of the Sonne of man in this promise, to shew that he whose delight was among the sons of men, Prov. 8.31. and delighted to designe himselfe often by this name, and he who took on our nature, and stouped to subject himselfe to our sinless infirmities, will be tender of them who come to him, and need him. 14. Christ is to be acknowledged to be he whom the Father hath authorized, and furnished to be the Saviour and Redeemer of lost sinners, and the storehouse from whence they are to expect their spiritual good: And the Father hath made it undeniably manifest that he is the true Messiah, who was to be expected; for, so is imported in this, him hath God the Father sealed. Whereby we are to understand, partly, that as King, give sealed warrants and commissions to their Ministers of state, who are sent out or employed in great affairs. 1 King 21.8. Est. 3.12. and 8.8. So Christ is the Fathers great Ambassadour, authorized and sent out by him to this work; partly, that as a seal represents on waxe that which is engraven on it; So the Father hath communicate to him his divine essence and properties, and stamped and filled him with all divine perfections, for carrying on that work; having the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelling in him; all knowledge, to reveal his Fathers will, and direct his people; affection, to come down from heaven for sinners good, and to love them who abhorred him; the spirit without measure, to refresh, power, to sustain them, &c. And partly, that as a seal annexed to a commission is a publike evidence of the persons authority; So Christs endowments are visible markes whereby to know him, and the miracles wrought by him, and that voice from heaven, Matth. 3.17. and 17.5. with the accomplishment of all the prophecies in him, were cleare evidences that he was the true Messiah, and of the Fathers installing him in that office. 15. Christs being thus sealed by the Father, is a sure pledge that seekers of him will obtain spiritual food from him; Therefore it is subjoyned as a reason of his giving this meat, for him hath the Father sealed, for we may assuredly gather, that the Father would not seale a commission, but to one who could be answerable; His fulnesse, being God, and sealed by God, doth assure us of great abundance and liberality in him; And, he who is the Sonne, will be faithful in his trust, since Moses the servant was so, Heb. 3.2, 3, 4, 5, 6.