John 20:30–31

In the last part of this Chapter, John being about to close this Evangel, and many other things coming into his minde which Christ had done after his Resurrection, he (so to say) draweth pen from paper, confessing there were many such like, which he was not directed to write, (not only because some of them were recorded by the rest, but) in regard what he had written, was sufficient to faith and salvation, and to clear what Christ was, and confirme that salvation is to be had through faith in him. For clearing of this purpose, Consider, 1. That these things which John confesseth to have omitted here, are particularly such things as were done by Christ after his Resurrection; for, these were done in the presence of his disciples, whereas these things he did before his death, were done generally before all; Though it be also true of these his other acts, that they were not all recorded by him nor by the rest, chap. 21.25. 2. What John propounds v. 31. as his end in writing these things, is indeed the scope of all this History of the Gospel written by him, and so doth relate to all he hath formerly written. But it doth particularly relate to these signes formerly mentioned, which in their own kinde, and in the way of miracles influence, were sufficient, (without adding any more) to confirme the doctrine all along delivered, concerning the person of the Messiah, and the way of obtaining salvation through him. 3. John doth omit the writing of these signes, and tells of it, not to give occasion of slandering the Scriptures as imperfect, nor to curious men to enquire after them, and obtrude them upon the Church. For what he omits, is not points of doctrine, but only particular signes of the same nature and kinde with these recorded; and what he records, is sufficient to salvation, in so far as miracles are props to faith, as he cleareth, v. 31. Beside, How shall any know infallibly that the miracles they alledge to be Christs, are truly such, seeing the Word doth not point them out particularly? And if any think Scripture is imperfect, because it hath not all these signes, how can they assert they have indeed marked all, seeing they are many and innumerable, chap, 21.25. and so, by their own principles, the Church shall be at a losse still. 4. Albeit these recorded by John, be sufficient for the ends recorded by him, yet we are not to think that Christs doing of these he omitted, was uselesse, though it was not needful he should write them; for not only was it necessary for the time, that they should be multiplied, to confirme the doubting disciples in the faith of his Resurrection, but it is needful for us to know he did so many, though we know not in particular what they were. Doct. 1. It speaks out Christs great praise and glory, that beside the many glorious acts recorded to be done by him, particularly after his Resurrection, we may be perswaded that he did many more, and that he is one, whose glorious acts it were an endlesse task to publish; for, this end, and that we may have high thoughts of Christ doth John record, that, many other signes truly did Jesus in presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. And this speaks his praise more, then if John had recorded many more particulars. 2. The Lord would have his people not doating too much on signes and miracles, which are only extraordinary and remote props of faith; but would have them acquiescing in what he works or records of these: Therefore doth John omit the Narration of many particulars, which the disciples saw, to the Church, in after-ages, that they might learn not to rest much on these, but to fasten upon the Word, which is sufficiently confirmed by what is recorded. 3. The Scriptures are not intended mainly for recording multitudes of signes and miracles, for the satisfaction of curiosity, or which might induce idle men to reade them for recreation or putting oft time. But the great scope of the Scriptures is, to direct men how to know Christ, and save their own soul; Therefore John doth omit these signes enough, being recorded in subserviency to the great end of the Scriptures, that ye might beleeve, &c. And this should be the trial, how we reade Scriptures, and how we profit thereby. 4. No imperfection can be fastened upon Scripture, in matters of faith or necessary to salvation, nay, nor in affording sufficient signes for confirming the doctrine held out therein; even albeit it be clear, that particular things done by Christ, are not recorded therein? for, John grants this, and yet asserts the perfection of the Scriptures, But these are written, that ye might beleeve, &c. See 2 Tim 3.16, 17. 5. The great scope of the Scripture is, in the first place to direct us to know and take up Christ rightly, who is the kernel and marrow of all the Scriptures, to whom the law and all the Prophets bear witnesse, and who is the great subject of the Gospel; for, so is here held out, These things are written that ye might beleeve that Jesus is the Christ, &c. 6. Christ is only savingly known and taken up by faith; there is no coming to the treasures of the Scriptures, nor to study him in them, but by faith, and no respective beside will be transparent; for, These things are written, that ye might beleeve, &c. 7. The great point concerning Christ, to be known and beleeved from the Scriptures, is; That Jesus the Son of Mary, is the only promised Messiah, and anointed of the Father, He in whom all the law types and shaddows are accomplished, and in whom the promises are Yea, and Amen: And, That the same Jesus is also, in unity of person, the Son of God by eternal generation, one in essence, and equal in power and glory with the Father; for, this is the great point to b beeleeved, that Jesus is the Christ the Sonne of God; which is a large and needful study 8. The Scriptures are also written to point out that there is an eternal life, only worthy of the name of life, and which otherwise, is hid from the world, 2 Tim. 1.10. And to point out how this life may be attained; for, so is held out in the next place, as his end of writing, that ye might have life. 9. The Scriptures do point out no way of attaining salvation but only through faith in Christ, and that in his name, or as he hath revealed himselfe; And it doth hold out the way and due order wherein sinners ought to flee to him, and how they ought to abide in him, and doth promise eternal life to all who do so; for, the subject and doctrine of the Scriptures, is, that beleeving ye might have life through his name. See Acts 4.12. 10. As it is a part of our way to heaven, to be found in the faith and knowledge of Christ; So a right knowledge of him, as he is revealed in the Scriptures, and hath confirmed and evidenced the same by his miracles, is a special mean to excite men to seek after him, and salvation through him, and to encourage them to rely on him for attaining of salvation; Therefore is the one subjoyned as following on the other, that beleeving Jesus to be Christ the Son of God, as the Word holdeth out, and he hath made good by these signes, they will seek life with him, and through him, and will be encouraged to beleeve, that they shall have life through his name.