41 Bible Doctrine – Gill’s ‘Body Of Divinity’ And The Table Of Contents Rearranged

A transcript of the video teaching

I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous study, I presented to you the Table of Contents belonging to Gill’s ‘Body of Divinity’. He has arranged his teachings under a doctrinal and a practical body of theology. The doctrinal body is made up of seven “books”, or branches, of theology, with a total of one-hundred-and-seven chapters. The practical body is made up of four “books”, or branches, ending with an Appendix, having a total of forty-nine chapters. All in all, Gill’s systematic theology has a total of eleven chapters, one Appendix and one-hundred-and-fifty-six chapters. 

Now, for the purpose of aligning these branches and chapters with the Framework of Sovereign Grace, I have rearranged the headings. For this study, I will show you how I have rearranged the Table of Contents, and make some general observations that I hope will help you better understand the basic structure of Gill’s teachings. I should point out, therefore, that I have changed the chapter numberings to reflect this new arrangement. However, the content of each chapter has not been changed.

I have reduced the original eleven “books” (or branches) to three main headings:

I. Of God

II. Of God’s Revelation

III. Of God’s Works

I have also reduced the original one-hundred-and-fifty-six chapters to one hundred-and-fifty-one, having subtracted the Appendix on Jewish Baptism, and the five chapters belonging to it. 

Beginning with the first heading, that “Of God”, there are thirty chapters. 

The first nine speak of the Godhead in general. This includes the essence of His Being, together with the plurality of Persons existing in the one indivisible Godhead:

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

The last twenty-one chapters speak of God’s attributes in particular. Now, it is helpful to know at this early stage how Gill arranges the attributes of God. There have been a number of different ways Theologians have organized the divine attributes. For instance, 

Some distinguish between the natural and moral attributes. The natural attributes would be those things which belong to God’s constitutional nature, such as His simplicity, self-existence and infinitude; the moral attributes would be those things which belong to God’s moral nature, such as holiness, justice and goodness. 

Others distinguish between the absolute and the relative attributes. The absolute attributes would be those things which belong to the essence of God’s nature apart from creation, such His simplicity, self-existence and infinitude; the relative attributes would be those things which belong to the essence of God’s nature in connection with creation, such as His omnipresence, love and mercy. 

Others distinguish between the incommunicable and the communicable attributes. The incommunicable attributes would be those things which belong to God’s nature without extension to the creation, such as His simplicity, self-existence and infinitude; the communicable attributes would be those things which belong to God’s nature that are extended to the creation, such as His power, love and goodness. 

Now, broadly speaking, all three arrangements are quite similar in distinction. Perhaps the most popular of these groupings would be the last, that which goes by the name of the incommunicable and the communicable attributes. However, John Gill departs from these divisions, choosing another arrangement, which in my view, is more Scriptural and honorable to the Godhead. His arrangement is based upon John 4:24: “God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” What is God? He is a Spirit Being. What does His Spirit Being look like? All of the divine attributes are forthwith descriptive of God as a Spirit Being. Here then, is how Gill arranges the divine attributes:

10. His Attributes and Immutability

God, as a Spirit, is Uncreated.

11. His Infinity

God, as a Spirit, is Active.

12. His Life

13. His Omnipotence

God, as a Spirit, is Rational.

14. His Omniscience

15. His Wisdom

God, as a Spirit, is Volitional.

16. His Sovereign Will

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

God, as a Spirit, is Virtuous.

24. His Goodness

25. His Holiness

26. His Justice and Righteousness

27. His Veracity

28. His Faithfulness

God, as a Spirit, is Majestic.

29. His Sufficiency and Perfection

30. His Blessedness

Now, you see, this is a far better arrangement of the divine attributes, than arbitrarily dividing them between the natural and the moral, or the absolute and the relative, or the incommunicable and the communicable. I believe, my dear friends, you will very much enjoy studying these chapters on the Godhead. 

Let us now look at the second heading, that “Of God’s Revelation.” There are only three chapters belonging to this branch of theology:

31. Creation (General)

32. Providence

33. Scripture

While it is obvious why the “Scripture” has been classified under the heading, it may not be so clear why God’s “Creation” and “Providence” are placed here. Referring you to the Framework of Sovereign Grace, you notice 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 to the conscience, with the law inscribed upon our hearts; and He also makes Himself known by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit; but the chapters dealing with these latter revelations are reserved for the third heading, that “Of God’s Works”. It is under this second heading, we have three dedicated chapters on the subject of God’s revelation—what He has made, what He does and what He says. What God has made and what He does are general revelations, while what He has said in Scripture is a particular and special revelation.

This brings us then to the third heading, that “Of God’s Works.” There are one-hundred-and-eighteen chapters. By far, this is the longest of the three sections, but it is helpfully divided into two main parts—the eternal decree of God and His providential governance. Now, this is an important distinction to make when studying the teachings of Gill. And it is therefore appropriate I give an explanation of the difference between them. It is helpful if I use the Framework of Sovereign Grace to illustrate it. When Gill speaks on the subject of God’s eternal decree, he is referring to God’s masterplan for the ages. It is the blueprint for all that God will do in time and creation. And then, of course, when Gill speaks on the subject of God’s providential orderings, he is referring to the actualization of God’s masterplan throughout the course of history. It is the bringing about of all that God has ordained to accomplish from eternity. So, there is a stark difference between eternity and time. God is eternal, existing outside of time; time is temporal, existing within the confines of creation. From eternity, God drew up a blueprint of time, creation and all events that ever shall come to pass. In time, God brings that blueprint to pass according to His providential governance. And so, we could call the blueprint of God’s eternal decree the doctrine of Predestination; and the realization of that decree in time the doctrine of Providence. Predestination relates to God’s eternal decree; providence relates to God bringing to pass His eternal decree in time. And you see, this distinction between God’s eternal decree and His providential orderings mustn’t be viewed as two separate realities, running alongside each other. That is the mistake made by the conditional Primitive Baptists. You will hear them speak about an eternal salvation, which they relegate to God’s eternal decree, and time salvation which they relegate to God’s providential orderings, but they do not believe God’s eternal decree is aligned with His providential orderings. By distinguishing between eternity and time, they have created two distinct realities, insomuch that what may be true from eternity, is not necessarily realized in time. That, my dear friends, is a terrible misunderstanding of these matters, and in fact, leads to many erroneous teachings. And that is not what John Gill meant when he made this distinction between eternity and time. No, rather, Gill teaches that what God has ordained from eternity, is brought to pass throughout the course of history, which is why He is able to make “all things beautiful in His time”. This is why “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him. That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and God requireth that which is past.” (Ecc 3:11,14,15)

Now, returning to the table of contents, the first section, on God’s eternal decree, has sixteen chapters. 

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

You notice that Gill focuses attention upon the everlasting covenant of the TriUne Jehovah—the electing love of God the Father, the redeeming grace of God the Son and the sanctifying power of God the Spirit. What He has to say on these matters is largely wrapped up in the agreement made between the Persons of the Godhead from eternity. Not that this covenant has of yet been brought to pass in time, but that the terms and promises of the covenant have been drawn up and agreed upon from eternity. And you see, Gill doesn’t teach, as the 1689 Confession teaches, that there is a distinction between the covenant of redemption and the covenant of grace. You will remember from previous studies, the 1689 Confession sets forth a covenant of redemption between the Persons of the Godhead from eternity, then a covenant of works God made with Adam before he fell, conditioned upon his obedience to the law, then a covenant of grace God made with Adam after he fell, conditioned upon faith in Christ. But Gill rejects that view. He teaches there is only a covenant of redemption, otherwise called the covenant of grace, made between the three Persons of the Godhead from eternity, conditioned only upon the terms and promises made between the Father, Son and Spirit. And then there is a covenant of works God made with Adam in time. Unregenerate sinners are in relationship to God under the authority of the covenant of works, whereas regenerate sinners are in relationship with God under the authority of the covenant of redemption, or grace. I emphasize this point, because if you come at Gill’s theology based on the framework of the 1689 Confession, you will make a mess of his teachings, resulting in much confusion. It is for this reason I role my eyes in pity when hearing Moderate-Calvinists boast how much they enjoy Gill’s teachings—they don’t understand his teachings. Just as they have misunderstood the Scriptures based on their preconceived ideas drawn from the 1689 Confession, so they misunderstand Gill for the same reason. 

Well, that is how Gill handles the eternal decree of God. This then brings us to the providential governance of God in time, which contains the remaining one-hundred-and-two chapters of Gill’s systematic theology. Again, this is a very large section, but it can be helpful divided into seven main parts:

1. Creation of angels and humans.

2. Covenant of Works.

3. Covenant of Grace.

4. Christian and church relations.

5. Domestic and governmental relations. 

6. Death and the afterlife.

7. World to come.

There are three chapters in connection with the creation of angels and humans. 

50. Creation of Angels

51. Confirmation of Elect Angels

52. Creation of Man

There are eight chapters in connection with the covenant of works. Now, I should mention here, I have noticed an increasing number of people, claiming to hold to Hyper-Calvinist views on sovereign grace, deny there is a covenant of works. They say you can’t find the word covenant in Genesis 2, and the whole notion is unscriptural. Well, I need not repeat my view on this matter, as I have set it out quite clearly in many previous studies. I wish only to say in connection with this study, that Gill believed God made a covenant of works with Adam, and that this is the covenant under which all unregenerate sinners remain in relationship to God—they are under the curse of the covenant of works, in consequence of their sins. 

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

There are sixty-two chapters in connection with the covenant of grace. Once more, this is a long section, but is helpfully divided into three more parts:

1. Dispensations of the covenant of grace.

2. Fulness of time, the Son is sent.

3. Appointed time, the Holy Spirit is sent. 

There are seven chapters in connection with the dispensations of the covenant of grace. 

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

In essence, what Gill does in these chapters is trace the covenant of redemption as it is revealed and applied to sinners throughout the course of history. Beginning with Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden, Gill demonstrates that this is the only way sinners have been chosen, redeemed and sanctified by the TriUne Jehovah. 

There are twenty-three chapters in connection with the fulness of time, the Son is 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

There are thirty-two chapters in connection with the appointed time, the Holy Spirit is 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

This then completes Gill’s teachings on the covenant of grace, of the covenant of redemption, as God brings it to pass in time. We then come to the Christian life and church relations, there being fourteen chapters. 

123. Gospel Church

124. Baptism

125. Duties of Church Members

126. Church Discipline

127. Church Officers, Particularly Pastors

It is worth pointing out here, John Gill did not teach each church should be overseen by a plurality of elders. Far from it. Gill set forth the view maintained by all Strict and Particular Baptist churches from the 18^th century onwards. Each church should appoint one pastor, assisted by a group of deacons. To this day, historic Particular Baptist churches function in this way. It was the Reformed Baptist movement which introduced the concept of plural elderships within Baptist churches. The concept is based upon a Presbyterian structure of church order. However, since the Reformed Baptist movement now dominates and controls the narrative, those ignorant of Particular Baptist doctrine and history assume plural elderships have always been the mode of church governance. That is not true, my friends. The Reformed Baptists are responsible in large part for undermining Baptist polity in our modern era. I have been praying for many years that the Lord would put in the hearts of gospel preachers a desire to look into these matters for themselves, rather than taking as gospel truth the Reformed Baptist narrative. Please listen to me, the Reformed Baptists know a little bit about the 17^th century Particular Baptists, leading up to the 1689 Confession, but know absolutely nothing of the reforms and developments thereafter. They live in ignorance of the doctrine and history belonging to the Particular Baptists from the 18^th century onwards. They jump from 1689 to the 1950’s, assuming everything in between agrees with wishful narrative. But it doesn’t. And John Gill sets the record straight on the subject of church governance, in this section of his theology. 

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

There are four chapters in connection with the domestic and governmental relations. 

137. Duties of Husband and Wife

138. Duties of Parents and Children

139. Duties of Masters and Servants

140. Duties of Magistrates and Subjects

There are three chapters in connection with death and the afterlife. 

141. Death of the Body

142. Immortality of the Soul

143. Separate State of the Soul

There are eight chapters in connection with the world to come. 

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

Now, my dear friends, this is my rearrangement of the table of contents for Gill’s systematic theology. Under the first heading, that “Of God”, there are two main sections with thirty chapters. Under the second heading, that “Of God’s Revelation”, there is one main section with three chapters. Under the third heading, that “Of God’s Works”, there are two main sections, with one-hundred-and-eighteen chapters. This gives us a total of three main sections, with one-hundred-and-fifty-one chapters. 

Broadly speaking, I think I have made it clear that Gill’s teachings very much fit into the framework of sovereign grace. But this I must show you in more detail, by aligning all of the one-hundred-and-fifty-one chapters with the framework. Although I was aiming at doing that in this study, I will have to postpone it for next time, otherwise we might be here for another thirty minutes or longer. I therefore close this study with the hope that what I have presented to you has been a useful guide to better understand Gill’s system of theology as a whole. Until we meet again next week, I trust you will know the presence and the blessings of the Lord.