CHOICE NOTES

ON THE

GOSPEL OF S. JOHN,

DRAWN FROM OLD AND NEW

SOURCES.

London:

MACMILLAN & Co.

1869.

101. f. 233.

Collect of the Church for Saint John's Day.

MERCIFUL LORD, WE BESEECH THEE TO CAST THY BRIGHT BEAMS OF LIGHT UPON THY CHURCH; THAT IT, BEING ENLIGHTENED BY THE DOCTRINE OF THY BLESSED APOSTLE AND EVANGELIST, S. JOHN, MAY SO WALK IN THE LIGHT OF THY TRUTH, THAT IT MAY AT LENGTH ATTAIN TO THE LIGHT OF EVERLASTING LIFE; THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN.

THE

GOSPEL ACCORDING TO S. JOHN.

The design of S. John in writing his Gospel was to convey to the Christian world just and adequate notions of the real nature, character, and office of that great Teacher, who came to instruct and redeem mankind. For this purpose, he studiously selected for his narrative those passages of our Saviour's life, which most clearly displayed His Divine power and authority, and those of His discourses, in which He spoke most plainly of His own nature, and of the efficacy of His death, as an atonement for the sins of the world. The object, which this Evangelist had in view, is very clearly stated in Chap. xx. 31. It was not to accumulate as many instances as possible of the miraculous power, exerted by Jesus; but only those, which most distinctly illustrated His peculiar office and nature. Many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this Book; but these are written, that ye might believe, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have