John 6:32

Christ in answering to this question, doth not meddle with their asking of a signe, but as before he cleared the way of attaining this spiritual food, so here he takes occasion to set forth the excellency thereof, by comparing it with, and preferring it unto the Manna, whereof they boasted so much. The comparison is propounded in this ver. which may be diversly understood, As, 1. That it was not Moses (of whom they gloried in opposition to him) who gave them, even that Manna; for it was the Father that gave it, upon Moses petition, who also doth now offer this true bread, and that of free grace, without any previous desire of theirs. This is a truth in it selfe, and sheweth, how Christ will debase them whom men do injustly cry up, to the prejudice of truth; But it doth not reach Christs full scope here. 2. That the Manna was not given from heaven, that is, from the celestial heaven, but only from the aire and clouds, which frequently in the Old Testament is called heaven. But Christ, this spiritual food, is given from the heaven of glory. Yet neither doth this exhaust the scope. Therefore. 3 I take the comparison to be institute betwixt the nature and effects of Manna, which was given by the ministry of Moses, and this food, given by the Father; That, however Manna was a Sacrament and type of Christ, and in that respect is called spiritual meat, 1 Cor. 10.3. Yet it was not bread from heaven, or true spiritual food, in effect and of it selfe; but only bodily food. But this is true bread from heaven, that is, real spiritual food, and the substance and truth of all these types pointing it out. Doctrine 1. It is not to any purpose to follow a contentious and quarreling people, in their endless debates with Christ, and about his doctrine; But the best way of dealing with them, is, constantly to hold out unto them their need of Christ, and that singular excellency that is in him; Therefore, Christ stands not to debate with them about signes, but goeth on to point the excellency of this food, and how needful it was for them, if they looked for life. 2. Unbeliefe is a disease ill to be cured, and it is no easie matter to draw men from doating on the external priviledges they have enjoyed, that they may learn to prize and esteeme of what is spiritual and more excellent; Therefore Christ, in pressing this doctrine, must use doubled asseverations, verily, verily, because they would account but little of his bare word in this matter. 3. There is no outward priviledge enjoyed of old, and which the Church wants under the Gospel, but it is all made up in Christ with advantage; for, here, better bread is daily offered then that of Manna was. 4. Christ is the truth and substance of all the types in the Old Testament. And particularly, the type of Manna is fulfilled in him, in his Incarnation and coming in the world. In his Original, he comes from a better heaven then that whence Manna came; He is but little, small and despised in the eyes of men, and yet is white and spotlesse, as Manna was, and of a sweeter taste to right discerners; and feeds and entertains a better life, then Manna did: He is alsufficient to feed all his people, (as Manna furnished all Israel) and is laid freely forth, to be gathered and received by all of them; as Manna fell daily round about the camp; And, the weakest beleever shall not come behinde with the strongest, in sharing in him, according as the Manna was equally divided. Therefore is he called the true bread from heaven, with relation to Manna as the type, 5. The holiest of Ministers do not conferre the thing signified in a Sacrament, nor is the outward element of the Sacrament, the thing signified by it, which feeds the soul; But God hath the giving of that in his own hand, and if he be not employed, men will get but the earthly part of the Sacrament: Therefore albeit Moses was a Minister in giving them Manna, which was the type and outward element, yet, saith he, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven, or the thing signified, but my Father giveth, &c. And thus he not only debaseth Manna in comparison of himselfe, but speaks the more meanly of it, in respect they looked not so much to the spiritual signification thereof, but only propounded it as an instance, to invite Christ to give the like carnal satisfaction to their bellies. 6. Such as stand in need of true spiritual food, have both the Father and the Sonne ready and engaged to give it unto them; for, whereas he had said, the Sonne of man shall give it unto you, ver. 27. now saith he, my Father giveth the true bread; Wherein he doth not only, as Mediatour, give the glory of all to his Father; but sheweth that the Father concurreth with him in this, and giveth it by his hand. 7. Even such as are, for present, but carnall and unsound, are not secluded from the offer of Christ, but, upon right tearmes, may expect that he will be gifted to them; Therefore, saith he, even to these hearers, but my Father giveth you, &c. that is, by me maketh offer of it, to be embraced upon right tearms, and in the due order.