Johnson, John (1)

Johnson, John (1), an eminent and learned divine of the Church of England, was born Dec. 30, 1662. He was educated at King's School, in the city of Canterbury, and at St. Mary Magdalen College, Cambridge. Soon after graduation (1682) he was nominated by the dean and chapter of Canterbury to a scholarship in Corpus Christi College, and there took the degree of master of arts in 1685. Shortly after he entered into deacon's orders, and became curate to Thomas Hardres, at Hardres, near Canterbury. In 1686 he became vicar of Boughton under the Bleam, and in 1687 he held the vicarage of Hermhill, adjoining to Boughton. In 1697 he obtained the living of St. John, in the Isle of Thanet, which he shortly after exchanged for that of Appledon and in 1707 he was inducted to the vicarage of Cranbrook. He died in 1725.

His works display the highest scholarship, a mastery both, of the Greek and Hebrew languages, and a deep research into the Holy Scriptures. His Unbloody Sacrifice (London, 1714, 8vo; latest ed. Oxf. 1847, 2 vols. 8vo) is the most complete work on the Eucharist, considered as a sacrifice, extant, particularly on account of its large collection of authorities from the fathers. which are printed in full. These are cited to prove that the Eucharist is a proper material sacrifice; that it is both eucharistic and propitiatory; that it is to be offered by proper officers; that the oblation is to be made on a proper altar; that it is to be consumed by manducation; together with arguments to prove that what our Savior speaks concerning eating his flesh and drinking his blood in the 6th chapter of St. John's Gospel is principally meant of the Eucharist. This publication, having involved him in a bitter controversy on account of its High Church views, induced him to publish, in 1717, The Unbloody Sacrifice, and Altar unveiled and supported, part 2, showing the agreement and disagreement of the Eucharist with the sacrifices of the ancients, and the excellency of the former; the great importance of the Eucharist both as a feast and a sacrifice; the necessity of frequent communion; the unity of the Eucharist; the nature of excommunication; the primitive method of preparation, with devotions for the altar. His other works are, A Collection of all Ecclesiastical Laws, etc., concerning the Government, etc., of the Church of England (Lond. 1720, 2 vols. 8vo; Oxford, 1850-51, 2 vols. 8vo): — A Collection of Discourses, etc. (Lond. 1728 2 vols. 8vo): — .The Psalter, or Holy David and his old English Translators cleared (London, 1707, 8vo). See Life, by Rev. Thos. Brett Hook, Eccles. Dict. s.v.; Allibone. Dict. Engl. and Am. Auth. 2, s.v. (E.deP.)