John 21:24–25

John takes occasion of this mistake and the clearing thereof, to close this Evangel. And, 1. He asserts that he was the pen-man thereof, and sets his seal to the truth and certainty thereof, v 24. 2. Lest any should think that his love to Christ, being the beloved Disciple, should move him to forge any thing in this Narration; and lest they might wonder how he got so much to write, especially after the other three had written: Therefore as Chap. 20.30. he subjoyned a particular conclusion to the signes done by Christ after his resurrection; So here (v. 25.) he subjoynes a general conclusion to this Gospel, professing that he gave not over for want of matter, it being impossible to write all fully and particularly that Jesus did, but because it pleased the Lord not to overcharge the Church with an infinite Narration, which he expresseth in an hyperbolicke tearme, which imports this much, that the books which might be written of this subject would burthen and overcharge the world, and mens judgements and memories could not overtake or retain the Narration of all particular passages. This acknowledgement of John, that there are many other things which Jesus did, and yet are not written, being extended generally to passages in his whole ministry, is to be understood with the Rules, and according to the caveats, mentioned on Chap. 20.30, 31. and as nothing derogatory to the perfection of Scriptures in the matters of faith and manners, which is there asserted, notwithstanding these things are omitted. For albeit a great many of Christs miracles in the course of his ministry (which properly are to be understood by things that Jesus did) be not recorded; yet neither will that argue that any point of doctrine is omitted, nor yet that the doctrine is not sufficiently confirmed to us by the miracles that are recorded, and by their declaring that there were yet many moe. Yea, suppose it be granted that many particular conferences and Sermons which Christ had in the course of his Ministry, are not written, yet it will not follow that the summe of these, and of all his doctrine, is not recorded in what is written. But on the contrary, the wisdome of God choosed to comprehend all that was needful, in a brief summe, (even of the Sermons that are recorded) for the ease and benefit of the Church. And as for them, who upon these expressions would gather that many things needful to salvation are not to be found in Scriptures, but to be sought out of unwritten Traditions; I would have them, before they assert such a thing, resolve these questions, for the satisfaction of the Church, in this great article so nearly concerning her. 1. If the pen-men of the Spirit of God have taken pen from paper, accounting that sufficient which they have written, how dare they undertake that task which those have given over? 2. If these things not written be alike necessary with what is written, what reason can be given to any unbyassed person, why the Lord should cause write the one, and yet leave the other to uncertain Tradition, and the fraile and corrupt memories of men? 3. If the Lord was not pleased to write them, but transmit them by Tradition, (as they do not only assert, but pretend grave and weighty reasons why the Lord did so) Upon what ground do they presume at all to stuffe their writings with them, and do not leave them as he left them? 4. If all these be necessary to salvation, and yet the world could not contain the books that should be written of them, were they written, how shall they instruct that they have marked them all? and how will they satisfie the Church that she hath yet a perfect rule, of Scripture and all the Traditions they have recorded, being put together? 5. With what face can they, upon this pretext, obtrude Traditions upon the Church which are not only beside, but clearly contrary unto the written Word of God, as if the Spirit of God did contradict himselfe? The truth is, John closeth with this, because what he had written was sufficient, and the rest not possible to be overtaken, nor yet necessary to be recorded for the use of the Church in all ages, though they were necessary for the time, and it be useful for us to know there were many such things, though they be not particularly recorded; as is marked on chap. 20.31, 32.

From this purpose, Learn, 1. This Gospel was written by John the beloved Disciple, who being employed by Christ as a meet pen-man of such sublime doctrine, did out of love and duty write so sweetly of Christ; and hereby gives us occasion to try what love, such a message, by such a pen-man, doth produce; for, This is the Disciple which testifieth of these things. 2. All this Narration is of divine truth, whatever we think of it, and whatever many do esteem of it and other Scriptures, Yet it wants not witnesses who were eye and ear witnesses, and fully perswaded, to assert the truth of it; for, saith he, we know, (speaking of himselfe in the plural number, or of himselfe with the rest of the Apostles) that his testimony is true. 3. It is the duty of Ministers to assert the truth of their doctrine, and to set to (as it were) their Messengers seal to Christs truth which they publish, for their own exoneration, and for the encouragement of beleevers, and as a witnesse against all who receive it not; Therefore, doth John call all his doctrine, his testimony, and asserts that we know that his testimony is true. 4. It is impossible to get all said which might be said of Christ, and to his commendation; for, so doth John assert, that if the things which Jesus did, should be written, every one, even the world it selfe could not contain the books which should be written. And this may not only point out his excellency and the weaknesse of our judgements and memories, but whereas our curiosity is still desirous to hear and know more, this breaking off may call us back rather to see how we practice what it hath pleased him to record. 5. The Lord, in writing Scripture, hath been pleased only to give us a short summe of the doctrine preached by Christ, and his servants, and an account of a part only of the miracles wrought by Christ; That so he might shew his respect to our infirmity and weaknesse, and might take away all excuse from the lazie and negligent, by comprising his minde and will in so little bulk; for, therefore is John directed only to record this much, and to omit the rest which could not be overtaken. 6. This whole Gospel is divine truth, worthy to be embraced and received by faith, and that we set our seal to the truth of it, and feed upon it accordingly; Therefore doth John close all, setting his Amen to this doctrine. Unto him that loved us, and washed us, from our sins in his blood and hath made us Kings and Priests unto God and his Father, to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Rev. 1.5, 6,

FINIS.