Matthew Poole and continuators on John 6:27

27 Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth un[illegible: 1 letter]o everl[illegible: 2 letters]t[illegible: 1 letter]ng life , which the Son of man shall give unto you : for him hath God the Father sealed .

By the Bread which perisheth, is not strictly to be understood Bread, but whatsoever is necessary or accommodating to us in this Life; al[illegible: 1 letter] things of this nature are perishing▪ and perish with the using: Nor is all L[illegible: 1 letter]bour as to them forbidden us: for we are to the contrary commanded, In the sir[illegible: 2 letters]t of our face to eat our Bread ▪ And the Apost[illegible: 1 letter]e commandeth, that those that will nor Labour▪ should not eat; and Prov. 31.27. the good Woman is commended for not eating the bread of Idleness; but exce[illegible: 1 letter]sive labour for these things is forbidden. So a[illegible: 1 letter]so is a first and greater Labour for, and seeking after them, than after that meat which endureth to everlasting life; under which notion also unquestionably cometh whatsoever is necessary by Gods revea[illegible: 1 letter]ed Will, that we may have in us the hopes of Glory here, and may enter into the actual possessions of that Glory hereafter. Such as are, first, the knowledge of the Gospel; then the believing of it, and the a[illegible: 1 letter] ceptance of that Saviour, and way of Salvation, which G[illegible: 1 letter]d hath revealed in it for lost sinners; and that Holiness of Life which God hath made necessary to it.

All which (saith he) I, who am the Son of man (a name he ordinarily giveth to himse f) will give unto you freely: Not that you are to do nothing; no, labour for it; tho it be a gift, yet it is a gift upon Labour, for all your Labour will not procure it; there will be a great deal of Free Grace seen when you have given all diligence

And Christ must give it; for the Father, in whose hand this Life is, hath (as men by their Seals use to confirm the Commi[illegible: 1 letter]sions they give out to any persons to do any thing for them, and in their Name) confirmed Christ as his Commissioner, to give out this Eternal Life to whomsoever he pleaseth.

Marginal references: Or, work not.; Mat. 3.17. and 17.5. Mark 1.11. and 9.7. Luke 2.22. and 9.35. Chap. 1.33. and 5.3[illegible: 1 letter]. and 8.[illegible: 1 letter]8. 2 Pet. 1.17.