John 6:66

Followeth another, and worse event, that followed upon this Sermon, even the open apostacy of many of his followers, ver. 66. with Christs confirmation of his Apostles, and warning them of the unsoundnesse of some of themselves, to the end of the chap. In this ver. it is declared that even these disciples (of whom ver. 60.) are so far from being taken with Christs doctrine, or from listening to his vindication thereof, when they murmured at it, that they are the more irritate, and do make open apostacy. Whence learn. 1. As there are times of visible flocking unto Christ, so there are times of trial, wherein there will be as great scattering and Apostacy from professions; for, so are we here taught, that many went back, and (as it should seem, comparing, ver. 67) all that were present but the twelve. 2. Christs doctrine is a touchstone of true profession, and such as do not profit by his preaching, nor grow better by his reproofes or discoveries of their evils, and the remedies thereof, will still grow worse, till they make open apostacy; for, it was from that time they went back, that is, after he had preached himselfe unto them, and had discovered that the true cause of their murmuring was only in themselves, and that this could be remedied only by God. 3. Albeit such as have in sincerity given up their names to Christ, will neither totally nor finally fall away; Yet not only may they make a foul defection for a time, and in part, but visible professours may totally fall away; for, Many of his disciples went back. &c. That is many unsound professours did altogether renounce him, and albeit, it may be, some did again recover their feet, yet no mention is made of it here. 4. Mens former professions and engagements to Christ and his truth, will aggravate their Apostacy, and adde to the sinne thereof; Therefore also it is marked that they were disciples who went back. See Gal. 3.3. and 4.15. 5. Albeit unsound professours seem to cast the world, and their old fashions, behinde their back, for a while; yet their heart is not really weaned from them, nor are they really cast out; And when tentation cometh, and they finde not that in Christ which they expected, they will turne back to their old vomit again; Therefore it is said, they went back, or, to the things behinde them. So dangerous is it for professours, to have Satan gone out, and not cast out. Luk 11.24. to have any thing wherein to delight beside Christ, when they close with him; or, to have these things which they seemed formerly to sleight, bearing bulk again in their eyes, however they may seem to palliate it with becoming more wise and prudent then at first they were. 6. As it is the duty of all professours, to hold communion with Christ; and converse with him, and publickly to own him in the midst of a perverse generation (without which greatest pretences of secret friendship is of no availe, Joh. 12.42, 43.) So, when men do quit this practice, and do not wait upon the ordinances as they were wont, it is an undeniable signe of woful Apostacy, whatever they pretend to; for, it is the proofe of their Apostacy, they walked no more with him, nor did publickly own him, nor wait upon his Ministry.