John 6:33

In this ver. the assertion concerning this true bread given by the Father, is repeated, and cleared and enlarged in a description thereof, which aggreeth not to Manna. Wherein, 1. It is declared, that this is the true bread of God, which comes down from heaven, to give life to lost and dead men, which Manna could not do. 2. This benefit is enlarged, that whereas any benefit Manna brought, was peculiar to Israel only, this is appointed to give life to all sorts of persons, as well as the Jewes. Whence learn, 1. Albeit not only Manna, but even our ordinary refreshments, are of God, and from him; Yet Christ is the bread of God by way of excellency, as being indeed divine food; and food for our better part, and food wherein God manifests his riches and fulnesse as God, and wherein he ought to be clearly seen: Therefore saith he, the bread of God is he, &c. or, he is divine bread, and bread which comes from God in a singular way. And he speaks of this bread as a person having action, he cometh down, &c. because it is Christs person and benefits accompanying him, which, being applyed, do give life. 2. Benefits of God ought to be in esteem with us, according as they have much of God shining clearly in them, and in giving of them; which will commend spiritual benefits before temporal, and lesser benefits, coming more immediatly and sensibly from his hand, before greater favours, wherein that is not so visible; for, this is an argument to commend him as the true bread; for he is the bread of God. 3. All mankinde by nature is in a lost condition, lying spiritually dead, and being obnoxious to eternal death, without Christ; for this is the case of the world, that they need life. 4. Mans lost and dead condition is irremediable by himselfe, or any other mean under heaven; for, this life must come down from heaven. 5. Christ is the true bread and food, that not only preserves life, and keeps from eternal death, but doth put life and quickening even in the dead; And such as do partake of Christ, will live, and become lively in their motions and actions; for, this bread of God giveth life. 6. Christ (that he might become fit food to quicken dead souls, and might stoop to them who could not ascend to him) hath been pleased to come down from heaven to earth, unto sinners, Not in regard of his Godheads changing of place, seeing he fills heaven and earth, but in regard of state, in that he stooped to be incarnate, and did assume our nature on earth, by a personal union to himselfe; Nor yet that his humane nature was from heaven, but that the sanctification, manner of conception, and personal union thereof unto the Godhead, was divine and from heaven, and wrought by the vertue and power of the holy Ghost: In these respects is this bread of God commended, that he cometh down from heaven, and giveth life 7. The spiritual benefits and refreshments of Christ are not proper to Israel only, but common to all Nations; And as the offer is made indifferently to all sorts of persons, where the Gospel cometh; So he is applyed to his own elect, of all Nations and ranks of persons; for, he giveth life unto the world, not to Israel only, but to his own of all sorts and conditions throughout the world, who in themselves dister nothing from the rest of the world till grace prevent them, and therefore they get the common name of the world.