THE DOCTRINAL SYSTEM OF ST. JOHN.

THE

DOCTRINAL SYSTEM

OF

ST. JOHN,

CONSIDERED AS EVIDENCE FOR THE
DATE OF HIS GOSPEL.

BY THE

REV. J. J. LIAS, M.A.,

PROFESSOR OF MODERN LITERATURE AND LECTURER IN HEBREW AT ST. DAVID'S
COLLEGE, LAMPETER;

AND SOMETIME SCHOLAR OF EMMANUEL COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE.

"For all the doctrinal matter characteristic of St. John (and on this
argument the greatest stress should be laid) some parallels at least
can be found in the Synoptical Gospels and Epistles."-THOLUCK,
Commentary on St. John, Introduction.

LONDON: GEORGE BELL AND SONS, YORK STREET,

LONDON.

PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS

STAMFORD STREET AND CHARING CROSS.

PREFACE.

THE inquiry contained in the following pages has been carried on slowly and with difficulty in the intervals of leisure afforded by a life devoted to other studies. It originated in a remark made some years ago to a friend whose reputation stands high as a scholar and as a preacher, that St. John's Gospel was the necessary bridge over the chasm which separates the theology of the Synoptic Gospels from that of the Epistles, and that if its genuineness be denied, it becomes impossible to account for the origin of the doctrines taught by St. Peter and St. Paul, and received by the universal Church. The encouragement I received from my friend induced me to examine the subject more in detail, and the result is now before the public.

When I had advanced some way in the investigation I had proposed myself, Mr. Sanday's book appeared; when it was almost concluded, and when little remained to be done but to put its results into shape, the Boyle Lectures of Mr. Stanley Leathes were given to the