John 6:28–29

This exhortation of Christ draws out a new question from the hearers; In answer to which, Christ points out the right way of attaining this spiritual food which he hath held out unto them. We are not necessarily to conceive that they propound this question in a taunting manner, as if they would declare to Christ, that Moses had commanded them to do works which are acceptable to God, and they did them; and therefore would know what new law he would prescribe unto them; (though this be not unsuteable to their disposition which they bring forth, ver. 30, 31, and afterward, and it is very true, that none are worse to deale with, then they who are sitten down upon outward performances; every thing they do, putting them so far out of Christs reverence in their own account) but we are rather to conceive, that not being as yet hopelesse but Christ will satisfie their carnal desires, therefore they keep fair with him, and hearing him speak of labour, which he understood chiefly of faith, and of other works, as fruits of faith; they understand it only of works according to the doctrine of their Teachers, and therefore desire to be directed what to work which might be acceptable to God. Christ answers their question, and leads them to that one work of believing on him, who is sent of the Father. Whence learn. 1. Men may endure many rubs from Christ, and seeme to come a great length in tearms of aggreement with him, who yet are unsound, and will never close with him; for, here these carnal hearers do quietly digest that reproofe, ver. 26. and seem to be so taken with his offer, as they want only information what to set about. 2. Such as resolve to seek Christ and things spiritual, will need much of Christs own direction, how to labour and employ themselves, for attaining thereof; for, so much doth their question import. 3. Men by nature cannot take up the right way of justification and salvation, as being a mystery; And particularly, Men by nature do retain such a deep impression of the first Covenant of works, and are so ignorant of the perfection of the law, and of their own impotency, that they know no way of acceptance before God, but the way of works, and doubt no more of themselves, but if Christ tell them their duty, they will do it; for, such is their principle and bold undertaking here, What shall we do, that we might work? that is, tell us, and we shall do it. See, Deut. 5.27. Mic 6.6, 7. Rom. 9 31, 32. and 10.3. 4. Men in following the way of happinesse, must not make it their only aime to please themselves in what they do, but must submit to follow that which pleaseth God, and which he shall enjoyne; for, so much do they insinuate, while they are desiring to work the works of God; Whereby we are not to understand the good works which are, not only commanded, but, wrought by God in his people; for they dream of no need of his working any thing in them; but it is an Hebrew phrase, which signifieth, works commanded, and acceptable, and pleasing to God. 5. What ever be mens conceit of their own works; Yet it is only by faith that sinners come to reconciliation with God, and to enjoy Christ to be souls food unto them; for, in opposition to all their works, he leads them to this one work, that they believe. And his calling it a work, doth not import that faith as a work doth justifie, for it is only the hand to receive Christ who is our righteousnesse. But he gives it this name, speaking in their own tearmes who doated on works, and so the doctrine of faith is called a law, Rom. 3.27. because the Jewes boasted so much of the law. And though other duties be required also of his people; yet he names this only, because it only embraceth Christ for righteousnesse and life; it is the only remedy for a soul lying under the conscience of guilt or any difficulties; and, it is through faith that we can do any good work, and that they are accepted, and the imperfections thereof covered. 6. No faith will serve mens turn for justification and life, but that which closeth with, and embraceth Christ the Mediatour, as sent of the Father, by his incarnation and manifestation in the flesh, and by his authorizing of him to exerce that office; for, so is here required, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent. Whereby he warnes men not to rest on general assents to every divine truth, as a faith sufficient for salvation, unlesse they close with Christ; And teacheth, That it is no saving faith, to acknowledge and believe in God, where Christ is not acknowledged; That it is not enough to professe faith in a Messiah (as the Jews did) unlesse Christ be taken up and acknowledged to be that Messiah already manifested; So 1 Joh 4.2, 3. And, That faith must first close with Christ the Mediatour, by whom it findes accesse to God, and comfortable resting on him. See 1 Pet. 1.21. 7. Such as do upon right tearmes, close with Christ as sent of the Father, and do not only in the general assent that he is the true Messiah, come in the flesh, but do heartily close with him as such, and give him the glory of his person and offices, and do employ him accordingly; they are about a work acceptable and welpleasing to God; Therefore it is called the work of God, not so much because he works it in his people, (though that be true, Eph. 2 8. and it is not by our works, but his work about us and in us, that we are saved) as in their own tearmes, ver. 28. that it is acceptable to him, being commanded by himselfe, 1 Joh. 3.23. and therefore lost sinners need not to be affrayed to make use of it.