Table Of Contents: New Order
As it is my goal to align John Gill’s “Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity” with the Framework of Sovereign Grace, I have rearranged the eleven branches of theology, together with the individual chapters, in order to demonstrate how they fit together in the grand scheme of God’s masterplan for the ages.
I have reduced the original eleven “Books” (or branches) to three main headings—(1) Of God; (2) Of God’s Revelation; (3) Of God’s Works. I have also reduced the original one hundred fifty-six chapters to one hundred fifty-one, having subtracted the five chapters belonging to the Appendix (a dissertation on the baptism of Jewish Proselytes).
Under the first heading, “Of God”, there are thirty chapters. The first nine speak on the Godhead in general, whereas the last twenty-one speak of His attributes in particular. As God is a spirit Being, so Gill arranged the divine attributes under the following headings—(1) God, as a spirit being, is uncreated, one chapter; (2) God, as a spirit being, is active, two chapters; (3) God, as a spirit being, is rational, two chapters; (4) God, as a spirit being, is volitional, one chapter; (5) God, as a spirit being, is affectionate, seven chapters; (6) God, as a spirit being, is virtuous, five chapters; God, as a spirit being, is majestic, two chapters.
I. Of God
1. His Being (Existence)
2. His Nature (Spirituality and Simplicity)
3. His Unity
4. His Godhead (Plurality)
5. His Personal Relations
6. Personality of the Father
7. Personality of the Son
8. Personality of the Holy Spirit
9. His Names
10. His Attributes and Immutability
1. God, as a Spirit, is Uncreated.
11. His Infinity
2. God, as a Spirit, is Active.
12. His Life
13. His Omnipotence
3. God, as a Spirit, is Rational.
14. His Omniscience
15. His Wisdom
4. God, as a Spirit, is Volitional.
16. His Sovereign Will
5. God, as a Spirit, is Affectionate.
17. His Joy
18. His Love
19. His Grace
20. His Mercy
21. His Long-suffering
22. His Hatred
23. His Anger and Wrath
6. God, as a Spirit, is Virtuous.
24. His Goodness
25. His Holiness
26. His Justice and Righteousness
27. His Veracity
28. His Faithfulness
7. God, as a Spirit, is Majestic.
29. His Sufficiency and Perfection
30. His Blessedness
Under the second heading, “Of God’s Revelation”, there are three chapters. While it is obvious why the “Scripture” has been classified under this heading, it may not be so clear as to why God’s “Creation” and “Providence” are placed into the category. Within the context of the Framework of Sovereign Grace, the Lord makes Himself known by what He has made (Creation), what He does (Providence) and what He says (Scripture). Of course, the Lord also makes Himself known, and especially so, by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit, but the chapters dealing with this special revelation to the heart are reserved for the third heading, “Of God’s Works”.
II. Of God’s Revelation
31. Creation (General)
32. Providence
33. Scripture
Under the third heading, “Of God’s Works”, there are one hundred eighteen chapters. The first sixteen deal with God’s eternal decree, whereas the last one hundred and two chapters deals with God’s providential orderings in time. All that God has decreed from eternity, is the blueprint for what He brings to pass throughout the course of history. In other words, God’s providential orderings in time are based upon His immutable decree from eternity. Absolute predestination is to providence, what a set of blueprints are to a house.
With reference to God’s providential orderings, there are seven main sections—(1) Creation of angels and humans, three chapters; (2) Covenant of Works, eight chapters; (3) Covenant of Grace, sixty-two chapters; (4) Christian and church relations, fourteen chapters; (5) Domestic and governmental relations, four chapters; (6) Death and the afterlife, three chapters; (7) World to come, eight chapters.
With particular reference to the Covenant of Grace, there are three main sections—(1) Dispensations of the covenant, seven chapters; (2) In the fulness of time, the Son is sent, twenty-three chapters; (3) At the appointed time, the Holy Spirit is sent, thirty-two chapters.
III. Of God’s Works
1. Eternal Decree
34. Works of God in General
35. Special Decrees of God
36. Decree of Rejection
37. Eternal Union of Elect unto God
38. God’s Eternal Act of Justification
39. Everlasting Council of the Godhead
40. Everlasting Covenant of Grace
41. Role of Father in the Covenant
42. Role of Son in the Covenant
43. Christ as Covenant Head of the Elect
44. Christ as Mediator of the Covenant
45. Christ as Surety of the Covenant
46. Christ as Testator of the Covenant
47. Role of Holy Spirit in the Covenant
48. Properties of the Covenant of Grace
49. Delight of God in Himself
2. Providential Orderings
50. Creation of Angels
51. Confirmation of Elect Angels
52. Creation of Man
53. Man in State of Innocence
54. Law Given to Adam
55. Sin and Fall of First Parents
56. Nature and Effects of Sin of Man
57. Imputation of Sin to Adam’s Posterity
58. Corruption of Human Nature
59. Actual Sins and Transgressions
60. Punishment of Sin
(i) Dispensations of the Covenant
61. Administration of the Covenant of Grace
62. Covenant of Grace—Patriarchal
63. Covenant of Grace—Mosaic
64. Covenant of Grace—Kings
65. Introduction of the New Covenant
66. Of the Law of God
67. Of the Gospel
(ii) Fulness of Time, Son Sent
68. Kingly Office of Christ
69. Prophetic Office of Christ
70. Priestly Office of Christ
71. Incarnation of Christ
72. Humiliation of Christ
73. Active Obedience of Christ
74. Passive Obedience of Christ
75. Redemption by Christ
76. Causes of Redemption
77. Objects of Redemption
78. Texts Which Seem to Favour Universal Redemption
79. Satisfaction of Christ
80. Propitiation and Reconciliation by Christ
81. Pardon and Forgiveness of Sin
82. Justification
83. Adoption
84. Burial of Christ
85. Resurrection of Christ
86. Ascension of Christ
87. Christ at Right Hand of Father
88. Intercession of Christ
89. Blessings of Christ
90. Scriptural Reign of Christ
(iii) Appointed Time, Holy Spirit Sent
91. Regeneration
92. Effectual Calling
93. Conversion
94. Sanctification
95. Good Works in General
96. Liberty Of The Sons Of God
97. Ten Commandments
98. Object of Worship
99. Internal Worship, Godliness
100. Communion with God
101. Knowledge of God
102. Faith in God
103. Fear of God
104. Repentance toward God
105. Trust and Confidence in God
106. Grace of Hope
107. Grace of Love
108. Spiritual Joy
109. Peace and Tranquility of Mind
110. Contentment of Mind
111. Thankfulness to God
112. Humility
113. Self Denial
114. Resignation to the Will of God
115. Patience
116. Christian Fortitude
117. Zeal
118. Wisdom and Prudence
119. Godly Sincerity
120. Spiritual Mindedness
121. Good Conscience
122. Perseverance of the Saints
123. Gospel Church
124. Baptism
125. Duties of Church Members
126. Church Discipline
127. Church Officers, Particularly Pastors
128. Duties of Members Towards Their Pastor
129. Office of Deacon
130. Place and Time of Public Worship
131. Lord’s Table
132. Public Ministry of the Word
133. Public Hearing of the Word
134. Public Prayer
135. Lord’s Prayer
136. Singing Psalms
137. Duties of Husband and Wife
138. Duties of Parents and Children
139. Duties of Masters and Servants
140. Duties of Magistrates and Subjects
141. Death of the Body
142. Immortality of the Soul
143. Separate State of the Soul
144. Second Coming of Christ
145. Resurrection of the Body
146. Conflagration of the Universe
147. New Heaven and New Earth
148. Millennium—Reign of Christ
149. Last and General Judgment
150. Final State of Wicked in Hell
151. Final State of Saints in Heaven
By arranging the chapters of Gill’s Divinity in this order, I hope to demonstrate how each branch of theology fits together according to the Framework of Sovereign Grace.
Jared Smith
John Gill (1697-1771) was a Strict and Particular Baptist preacher and theologian. He was appointed the Pastor of Goat Yard Chapel, Horsleydown, Southwark, serving this position for fifty-one years. He was the first Baptist to write an exhaustive systematic theology, setting forth High-Calvinistic views and a clear Baptist polity which became the backbone for the churches subscribing to them. John Hazelton wrote of him:
”[Augustus] Toplady held in high regard Dr. John Gill (1697-1771), and applied to him and to his controversial writings what was said of the first Duke of Marlborough—that he never besieged a town that he did not take, nor fought a battle that he did not win. Gill's book on the Canticles is a beautiful and experimental exposition of Solomon's Song; his "Cause of God and Truth" is most admirable and suggestive; and his "Body of Divinity" one of the best of its kind. His commentary upon the Old and New Testament is a wonderful monument of sanctified learning, though it has been so used as to rob many a ministry of living power. It is the fashion now to sneer at Gill, and this unworthy attitude is adopted mostly by those who have forsaken the truths he so powerfully defended, and who are destitute of a tithe of the massive scholarship of one of the noblest ministers of the Particular and Strict Baptist denomination. The late Dr. Doudney rendered inestimable service by his republication, in 1852, of Gill's Commentary, printed at Bonmahon, Waterford, Ireland, by Irish boys. Gill was born at Kettering, and passed away at his residence at Camberwell, his last words being: "O, my Father! my Father!" For fifty-one years, to the time of his death, he was pastor of the Baptist Church, Fair Street, Horselydown, and was buried in Bunhill Fields. His Hebrew learning was equal to that of any scholar of his day, and his Rabbinical knowledge has never been equalled outside Judaism. His "Dissertation Concerning the Eternal Sonship of Christ" is most valuable, and this foundation truth is shown by him to have been a part of the faith of all Trinitarians for about 1,700 years from the birth of our Lord. In His Divine nature our blessed Lord was the co-equal and co-eternal Son of God, and as such He became the Word of God. The Scriptures nowhere intimate that Christ is the Son of God by office, or that His Sonship is founded on His human nature. This is not a strife about words, but is for our life, our peace, our hope. Dr. Gill's pastoral labours were much blest; to the utmost fidelity he united real tenderness, and at the Lord's Supper he was always at his best.
"He set before their eyes their dying Lord—
How soft, how sweet, how solemn every word!
How were their hearts affected, and his own!
And how his sparkling eyes with glory shone!"
John Gill, (1) Commentary On First Thessalonians (Complete)
John Gill, (2) Commentary On Second Thessalonians (Complete)
John Gill, (3) Commentary On First Corinthians
John Gill, A Biography By George Ella
John Gill, A Lecture By George Ella
John Gill, Doctrinal And Practical Body Of Divinity
John Gill, Extracts
John Gill, Identifying The Biblical Covenants (Complete)
John Gill, The Cause Of God And Truth
