John 6:45

Christ doth confirme his assertion, concerning the Fathers drawing, from the prophecies of the Old Testament which speak of the dayes of the Gospel; Wherein it is foretold, that all the Elect, and confederates in the Spirit, shall be taught of God to embrace Christ offered in the Gospel, Isa. 54.13. Jer. 31.33, 34. Whence he inferreth, that every one who is thus taught, doth come and embrace him. This teaching is not to be understood as secluding a teaching Ministry under the Gospel; for, the very text includes hearing and learning; and this interpretation should not only rub an imputation upon Christ and his Apostles practice, who in these very times of the Gospel, did preach, and appoint a Ministry, and ordained Ministers; and who did continue teaching and exhorting, when yet they acknowledge this promise to be accomplished, 1 Joh. 2.20, 21, 27, 28. 1 Thes. 4.9, 10. but it should strike also against all private mutual edification, as well as publick teaching: which yet the decriers of a Ministry will not allow; Yea, they intrude themselves as Preachers, that they may cry down Preaching and a Ministry. But the meaning is, that God, in, and by the means, should teach them, that however means be necessary, yet it is not they, but the Spirits teaching, that prevailes with them; and, that under the Gospel, this teaching should be more general and conspicuous. Doctrine 1. It is by the Scriptures, that all controversies and debates, in matters of Religion, must be decided; Therefore, doth he remit the proofe of his assertion to what, is written in the Prophets. 2. Not only Christs outward condition and practice, but his doctrine, are in all things aggreeable to the doctrine and predictions of the Old Testament, concerning the Messiah, and what should be fulfilled in his wayes; Therefore doth he cite the Prophets, as foretelling the same things of the dayes of the Messiah, which he now asserts. And he who was truth it selfe, doth condescend to confirme his doctrine thus. 3. Gods way of drawing in sinners to Christ, as it consists not in bare moral swasion, so neither is it a working upon men as insensible stocks or irrational creatures, but he deales with them in a rational way, and by his efficacious teaching, doth cure the blindnesse of their minde, and open and encline their hearts; for, his drawing, ver. 44. is by this teaching, they shall be taught of God, to wit; in the use of means, yet so, as they finde God in them, as is before explained. 4. It is the priviledge of all the Elect, that, in their own measure, they are taught by God; and how small soever their knowledge be, yet they are taught what is necessary for bringing them to Christ, and made wise unto salvation, for, the promise is universal, as to them, they shall be all taught of God. See 1 Joh. 2.13. And Christ doth cite it with the copulative, and, whereby it is joined in the Prophets with the other promised mercies, to lead us to the study of the rich and many mercies that do accompany it, and are given with it. 5. Such as are taught by God in the use of means, will not only get an ear to hear, but will not rest on that, till they get an heart to understand and learn by their hearing; for, they who are taught of God, are every man that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father. 6. Gods teaching of his people doth not only illuminate the minde, or give the power of beleeving, but doth also give the act and exercise of faith, and certainly bring them to Christ; for, every man that hath heard and learned, cometh unto me. 7. No light, nor illumination of the minde, nor any other change, will prove a man taught of God, unlesse he be convinced of his own misery, and of Christs mercy, and brought to close with him, and daily to come unto him, and practice this lesson of coming; for, this is the evidence of a man that hath heard and learned, he cometh unto me.