John 6:37

Christ, having thus pointed out their obstinacy in unbelief, doth (to verse 41.) comfort himself, and strengthen the weak, who might stumble at the unbelief of so many, by ascending up to the fountain of faith and conversion; assuring himself that the Elect would come unto him, and promising all tender usage and welcome to them; which he confirmes by reading over his Commission unto them. And by this means also, he layeth before them their sad case, and that their practice said much to it, that they did not belong unto him; Yet so as he doth not terrifie, but warmly invite any who had a minde to come to him. In this verse, 1. He comforts himself, that, misbeleeve who would, yet, undoubtedly all these that were given unto him, would come unto him. 2. He assureth all these who come, of tender and warme acceptance. Whence learn, 1. Albeit many who sleight Christs call, may yet be elect, and at last embrace him; And albeit we cannot certainly conclude the Reprobation of any in this life, by any mark in them, if it be not found that they have sinned unto death; Yet to reject Christ after conviction, is an evidence of a reprobate condition, and such as continue in it, have sad cause of fear, lest they be indeed Reprobates: And whatever be Christs purpose toward any, yet it is a special mean to terrifie sinners from their refusing of Christ, to afright them with Reprobation: for, so doth Christ here deale with these unbeleevers, pointing out unto them what their way might portend of them. 2. However Christ and his servants have oft-times cause to complain of the small fruit of their labours; yet this is matter of comfort, that all the Elect will, in due time, be brought in; for, so doth Christ comfort himself here. See Rom. 11.7. 3. Albeit the offer of the Gospel be made generally to all, to all who hear it: Yet the speciall purpose of God for good is toward some onely, and not others; for, there are who are given by the Father, and not others. 4. It is the great dignity and happinesse of the Elect, that they are from eternity given to Christ in the Covenant of Redemption, as the reward of his sufferings, to come to him in due time: And that they are given to him in trust, to be accountable and forth-coming for them; for, so is here declared, that there are whom the Father giveth him. Wherein is imported, that they were the Fathers first, not onely by vertue of his general right in all creatures, Psal. 24.1. but by particular Election; and that being the Fathers, they are given to Christ, both from eternity, to be redeemed by him, and as the reward of his sufferings; And in time, to be drawn to him, and therefore both the Father giveth them, in the present time, and, hath given, them of before, verse 39. See John 17.6. Isa. 53.10. Psal. 22.30. 5. As these who are thus given unto Christ, are many, how many soever reject him; So they are high in his esteeme, and as much as if all were given unto him: Therefore are they called All that the Father giveth, not onely to shew their number, but the word in the Original is more emphatick, and importeth as much as, all things, to shew, that, indeed they are his all, and that he accounts of them as much as, and above all things beside And thus the expression is more clearly, Eph. 1.10. 6. The Elect, and such as are given to Christ, may, for a time, be, and really by nature are, as farre away and estranged from him, as any other; for, they are given, and yet are to come to him. This may make them thankful, humble, and charitable, when they are converted. 7. Such as are elected and given to Christ, will certainly, in due time, come to him; Their being given from eternity produceth their being given and coming in time, for God is faithful, who will not frustrate Christ of what he hath purchased, and the power that draweth them, is invincible and irresistible: Therefore saith he, all that the Father giveth me, shall come to me. 8. Conversion, and coming unto Christ, is not a cause, nor is the foresight thereof antecedent to Election, but it is onely a fruit following thereupon; for, such is the order here, they are given by the Father, and upon that, their coming necessarily followeth. See Acts 13 48. 9. It is not mens moral changes, nor their following external ordinances, that proves them given to Christ, but their coming to him, and closing with, and embracing of himself, as Mediatour; for, so are we taught here, They who are given, come to me saith he. 10. Such as really come to Christ, and embrace him, have not onely the present comfort of communion with him; but are warranted from this to gather their eternal election, and that they have been given over to Christ, and committed to his charge and care; Therefore is their coming put as an effect and evidence of their being given. 11. Such as are come to Christ, have warrant to expect welcome and warme entertainment, whatever they have been before; for, so much doth the promise subjoyned, teach, which is made to all without exception. See Jer. 3.1. And particular notice and care is taken of every one, as if there were no moe; And therefore, albeit the former speech was generall, all that the Father giveth, yet the promise is more particular, him that cometh, &c. 12. Such as come to Christ, are put into a state of much familiarity, and comfort, and may expect more from him then can be well conceived or expressed; for, albeit this promise be expressed onely in a negative, I will not cast him out, yet it imports much more of his warme entertainment; and namely, that they are taken into his family; are brought neare him by reconciliation and friendship; have all their conditions respected by him; enjoy much of his presence, have him to be accountable for them, and to make all their lots, by his gracious providence, tend to their good. All things shall be theirs (and not they slaves to their idols) and Christ to the advantage; Nothing shall discommend their person to him; Their condition shall plead rather for pity, then wrath; Wants shall not render them unacceptable, but rather a conceit of fulnesse; Under afflictions, and in performing duties, he shall be undertaker, to work all their works in them and for them; And all of them shall finde the doore kept open, till they be entered in glory, without the reach of all their enemies, where they shall feede on the light of his countenance, shall follow and enjoy him, and be made like unto him. All this and much more is imported in this promise. 13. It is the great comfort of such as come unto Christ, that as their allowances are rich, so their state is safe and secure; And whatever their fears, mistaks, or quarrellings, may be; yet they shall never be again deprived of that happy condition; for, so much is expressed in this promise, I will not cast him out, that is, they are taken into that sweet estate, not to be cast out or rejected again. Saints do indeed ofttimes complaine of casting off, but they are the words of sense, and not of faith; They may seeme to be cast off, when really it is not so; They may lose degrees of fellowship for a time, but cannot be deprived of it totally, and for ever; They cannot be secluded from his favour and love, and an interest in him, though sometime they may be deprived of some effects and manifestations, and fruits thereof; They may be deprived for a time of what contributes to their welbeing, but not of what is necessary for their being in grace; Yea, he will not permit them to cast out themselves, Jer. 32, 40.14. Christs promises to these who come to him, are very sure, and such as (whatever doubts or jelousies they may have, yet) he would have them on no tearmes to question, especially in what concerns his purpose not to reject them finally or totally; Therefore doth he so vehemently assert this, I will in no wise cast him out, where the doubled negatives, in the Original, serve to make the assertion strong, and to carry their faith over all their doubts and feares.