specially called " the disciple whom Jesus loved." He was one of the chosen three who alone saw the daughter of Jairus raised — were eye-witnesses of the transfiguration — and were by-stand- ers during our Lord's agony in the garden. He was the one who leaned on Christ's breast at the last supper, and to whom our Lord committed the care of the Virgin Mary, when lie waa dying on the cross. It is an interesting fact, that he was the disciple who was specially inspired to write the deepest things concerning Christ. Secondly. — There is little doubt that this Gospel was written at a much later date than the other three Gospels. How much later, and at what precise time, we do not know. It is commonly supposed that it was written after the rise of heresies about the Person and natures of Christ, such as those attributed to Ebioh and Cerinthus. It is not likely that it was written at so late a period as the destruction of Jerusalem. If this had been the case, John would hardly have spoken of ti.9 " sheep-market " at Jerusalem as still standing. (John v. 2.)
Thirdly. — The substance of this Gospel is, for the most part, pecuhar to itself. With the exception of the crucifixion, and a few other matters, the things which St. John was inspired to record concerning our Lord, are only found in his gospel. He says nothing about our Lord's birth and infancy, — His tempta- tion,— the Sermon on the Mount, — the transfiguration, — the prophecy about Jerusalem, and the appointment of the Lord's Supper. He gives us very few miracles, and even fewer para- bles. But the things which John does relate are among the most precious treasures which Christians possess. The chapters about Nicodemus, — the woman of Samaria, — the raising of Laza- rus, and our Lord's appearance to Peter after His resurrection at the sea of Galilee, — the public discourses of the fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and tenth chapters, — the private discourses of the thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth chapters, — and, above aU, the prayer of the seventeenth chapter, are some of the most valuable portions of the Bible. All these chapters, be it remembered, we owe to St. John.
Fourthly. — The style of this Gospel is no less peculiar than its substance. There appears extraordinary simplicity in many of its statements, and yet there is a depth about them which no man can entirely fatiiom. — It contains many expressions which are used in a profound and spiritual sense, such as "hght," "darkness," "world," "life," "truth," "to abide," " to know." — It contains two names of the second and third Persons of the Trinity, not found in the other Gospels. These are, " the Word," as a name of our Lord, and " the Comforter," as a name of the Holy Ghost. — It contains, fi:om time to time, explanatory com- ments and remarks on our Lord's words. — Moreover, it contains