Though  the  divine  teacher,  on  this  occasion,  made  use  of  no
other  expressions  than  what  the  Jews  had  been  accustomed  to
interpret  in  a  figurative  sense ;  yet,  so  great  was  their  perverse*
ness,  that  they  considered  them  as  spoken  literally,  and  were
astonished  beyond  measure  at  what  ha  could  mean,  by  saying
he  would  give  them  *'h]s  fl^sh  to  eat.*'  Jesus,  however,  know-
ing how  unreasonable  his  hearers  were,  did  not  proceed  to  ex-
plain himself  more  particularly  at  this  time.  But  persisting  in
the  same  figurative  manner  of  expression,  he  repeated  and  affir-
med more  earnestly,  what  he  had  before  asserted.  Except,  said
he,  ye  be  entirely  united  to  me,  by  a  hearty  practice  and  be-
lief of  my  doctrine,  partake  of  the  merit  of  that  sacrifice  that
I  shall  offer  for  the  sins  of  the  world,  continue  in  the  commun-
ion of  my  religion,  and  receive  spiritual  nourishment,  by  the
continual  participation  of  those  means  of  grace  which  I  shall
purchase  for  you  by  my  death,  ye  can  never  enter  the  happy
mansions  of  eternity.  *' Whoso  eatetb  ny  flesh  and  drinketh  my
blood,  hath  eternal  life;  and  I  will  raise  him  up^t  the  last  day.
For  my  flesh  is  meat  indeed,  and  my  blood  drink  indeed."
JoAn,  vi.  54,  55.
