John 6:55

To confirme the certainty of this encouragement, he subjoynes severall arguments, which both prove the assertion, and are so many Motives to excite them to feed upon him. And 4. He brings a proofe that feeders on him have life from the excellency of this food, that it is not counterfeit but reall food, able to conferre and maintaine life. Whence Learn, 1. Albeit men do need bodily refreshments, and (when they do not feed on Christ) will not want their own contentment; Yet all these, in comparison of Christ, are but vaine and empty; They are but deceitfull meat, meat that perisheth, the best of them are but husks, and afford but shaddowes of that sweetnesse, refreshment, strength, and life, which he gives: So much doth this expression, meat indeed, &c. Import, that albeit, besides bodily refreshments, and the lawfull contentment men may have in their outward enjoyments, they will also be putting other things in Christs roome; yet all these are not indeed what they seeme to be; when compared with him. 2. Whatever shaddow of excellency or contentment men finde in the creatures, the reality thereof is to be found in Christ, and him onely; For, whatever they thought of meat and drink, all that, and much better, is to be found here, My flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. 3. This sweetnesse and excellency in Christ, should allure needy soules to feed upon him; And Christs commending himselfe for that end, sheweth how well they are allowed so to do; Therefore doth he bring in this commendation, as a reason and encouragement to them to come, and an assurance that they shall finde life; for my flesh is meat indeed, &c.