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The Father bore witness to Christ, by a voice from heaven at his baptism. It is implied that they should have heard the voice of the Father: they had not because they would not. Not hearing to purpose, is not hearing; and not seeing, that is, not knowing him, as manifested by Christ, is not knowing him at all.

38. And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not.

Christ's word, is God's word; and without believing in him, there is no possibility of knowing the mind and will of God.

39. Search the Scriptures for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of me.

We cannot have too great a veneration for the Scripture, but we must not take it for what it is not. It shows us our death, and it acquaints us where life is to be had, but it can do no more for us. The one great scope of it, is to send us to Christ.

40. And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life.

It matters little what else we do, if we do not go to Christ. What better would the lame, and the blind have been, for having a book which told them that Christ would heal them, if they had not applied to him? But they knew their case, and would not stop short of the Physician. O! it is a sore trial to the soul, to know its death in sin. Here we flinch, would fain heal ourselves, and for want of this conviction, never go directly to Christ for the life we want, and which he alone can give us.

41. I receive not honour from men.

I am far above it, and neither need nor desire it.

42. But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. Does Christ know this of us?

43. I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

The truth of God is cross to the will of man, and this is a bar to the reception of it at all times.

44. How can ye believe, which receive honour one of another, and seek not the honour that cometh from God only ?

1st, We cannot believe savingly, till we know that we are unworthy of esteem. Faith lays us in the dust. 2ndly, We cannot have both kinds of honour if we would. The world hath none for those who seek that which cometh from God only. Christ, here and elsewhere, arms his disciples against the fear of reproach, knowing it to be their lot.

45. Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.

46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

47. But if ye believe not his writing, how shall ye believe my words ?

The Jews pretended to reverence Moses, yet they did not believe his writings: it was not to be wondered at that they did not believe the words of Christ, whom they despised. The Scriptures, if they be not believed and obeyed, will be our accusers at the day of judgment.

SECTION XXIII.

Chap. vi. ver. 1—14.

CHRIST FEEDS FIVE THOUSAND WITH FIVE LOAVES AND TWO FISHES.

1. After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

2. And a great multitude followed him, because they saw the miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

There is great force in miracles to draw us after Jesus, and they were wrought for this end. The principal thing to be considered, is, for what we follow him. We may possess him outwardly, and cleave to him for some purpose, though not for the work he wishes to accomplish in us. Those who followed him on this occasion, little thought that they were in the number of the diseased. This chapter will set us right in this point, if we are willing to be convinced.

3. And Jesus went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

4. And the passover, a feast of the Jews, was nigh.

5. When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?

Philip should have said at once, Lord, thou canst provide for them; but he failed in the trial. This would bring him to a better knowledge of himself. If Christ tries us, it is for our profit, and to convince us of our weakness and unbelief.

6. And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do.

7. Philip answered him, Two hundred pennyworth of bread is not sufficient for them, that every one of them may take a little. 8. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, saith unto him,

9. There is a lad here, which hath five barley-loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?

10. And Jesus said, Make the men sit down. Now there was much grass in the place. So the men sat down, in number about five thousand.

Both the disciples and the men did as they were bidden, and all the rest was easy to him. If our faith do not fail in whatever he commands us, his power will not.

11. And Jesus took the loaves; and when he had given thanks, he distributed to the disciples, and the disciples to them that were set down and likewise of the fishes as much as they would.

We should give thanks after the example of Christ, as much as if every morsel was brought to us by a miracle, as indeed it is by many. What blessings is Christ not always ready to distribute by the mouths and hands of his ministers, if we were but as ready to receive them?

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12. When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

He said this, who made the loaves, and could make as many more as he pleased. His words are suited to teach all, economy in the midst of plenty, and to beware of wasting any food which may satisfy the hunger of the poor. Let none of Christ's words be lost.

13. Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley-loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

14. Then those men, when they had seen the miracle that Jesus did, said, This is of a truth that Prophet that should come into the world.

Let us say this in faith, with our hearts, for our souls, and of a truth he will be a prophet unto us.

SECTION XXIV.

Chap. vi. ver. 15-27.

CHRIST WITHDRAWS TO THE SEA-SIDE.

15. When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.

This people knew not themselves, nor for what they wanted Christ, and therefore they totally mistook his office and business in the world, thinking he would appear among them as a great temporal prince. They followed him with nothing but the world in their hearts, and from such persons he must depart.

16. And when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea,

17. And entered into a ship, and went over the sea towards Capernaum: and it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. 18. And the sea arose by reason of a great wind that blew.

19. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and drawing nigh unto the ship and they were afraid.

20. But he saith unto them, It is I, be not afraid.

These last words of Christ are suited to revive the soul which is in trouble for sin.

21. Then they willingly received him into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went.

So shall we come safe to our desired haven, whatever storms we meet with by the way, if Christ is with us.

22. The day following, when the people which stood on the other side of the sea, saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone:

23 (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias, nigh unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks :)

24. When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

25. And when they had found him on the other side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither?

26. Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because eat of the loaves, and were filled.

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They did not enter into the true design of Christ's miracles, and therefore might as well not have seen them. So it may be that we hearing, hear not. Christ knows well what is uppermost in our hearts. In vain do we seek, or own him, for anything but himself, and his power in us, turning us to God.

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