hungry, clothing to the naked, riches to the poor, health to the sick, life to the deadq; He is all and in ALLr.]
Such a glorious account of this bread being given by Christ himself, it becomes us to inquire into,
II. The means by which it may be obtained —
Every provision for the body must be obtained by labour; but this for the soul must be accepted as a free gift —
[We are extremely averse to stand indebted to another for our spiritual sustenance. We should be much better pleased to earn it by our own industry. But all our exertions for this end are fruitless. If we were to obtain an interest in Christ by our own works, salvation would no longer be of grace s. We are therefore cautioned against every attempt to gain it in that way1. We are expressly told that the Israelites were left for ever destitute of this bread, because they would persist in these self-righteous methods of obtaining itu. We are exhorted to receive it freely, without money and without price x.]
Nevertheless we are not to decline all kind of labour for it —
[We are to seek this bread in prayer y, and in the use of all God's appointed ordinances. We are to exert ourselves as much in order to obtain it, as if the acquisition of it were the sole effect of our labour. But we are at the same time to depend as much upon God for it, as if we used no endeavours whatever to procure it. Nor is there any inconsistency in such a view of our duty. Our Lord himself says, " Labour for the meat which the Son of man shall give you2."]
Application —
[Let us seek it by prayer and faith Let us be
thankful that it is sent us in such rich abundance Let
us gather it fresh every day and houra Nor once
attempt to hoard it for future useb. There is a fulness in Christ
to satisfy our every want Nor shall we ever be refused
if we plead with him as we ought to doc. Let us remember, that in our Father's house there is bread enough and to spare d. And rest assured, that by feeding upon Christ, we shall find him to be meat indeed and drink indeed6.]
i Rev. iii. 18. 1 Cor. i. 30. r Col. iii. 11.
8 Rom. xi. 6. * Gal. v. 2—4. u Rom. ix. 30—32.
* Isai. lv. 1,2. y The text. z John vi. 27.
a Exod. xvi. 16. b Exod. xvi. 19,20. c Matt, x v. 20— 28.
d Luke xv. 17, 18. e John vi. 55.
1639.] Christ's willingness to receive sinners. 385