42 Bible Doctrine – Gill’s ‘Body Of Divinity’ Aligned With The Framework Of Sovereign Grace

A transcript of the video teaching

I would like to welcome you back to another study in Bible Doctrine. In our previous studies, I have presented to you the table of contents belonging to John Gill’s Body of Divinity. He has divided his teachings into two parts. The first part is a doctrinal body of theology, composed of seven books, or branches, containing one-hundred-and-seven chapters. The second part is a practical body, composed of four branches, with one appendix and containing forty-nine chapters. We therefore have a total of eleven branches, one appendix and one-hundred-and-fifty-six chapters. 

Now, since it has been my purpose to show you how Gill’s teachings align with the Framework of Sovereign Grace, I have reduced the branches of theology under three headings and rearranged the chapters. Under the first heading, that “Of God”, there are two main sections containing thirty chapters. Under the second heading, that “Of God’s Revelation”, there is one section containing three chapters. Under the third heading, that “Of God’s Works”, there are two main sections containing one-hundred-and-eighteen chapters. This gives us a total of three main sections with one-hundred-and-fifty-one chapters. This takes into account, of course, the removal of the Appendix containing five chapters. 

Now, having reduced and rearranged the table of contents in this way, we are prepared to align the teachings with the Framework of Sovereign Grace. Generally speaking, the three branches of theology may be overlaid onto the Framework with the first section, that “Of God”, positioned at the top; the second section, that “Of God’s Revelation”, positioned within the context of time and creation; and the third section, that “Of God’s Works”, positioned under God’s Revelation, also within the context of time and creation. But this in itself is insufficient to demonstrate how all of Gill’s teachings fit within the Framework. So it is my job in this study to unfold for you the details. 

In the year 2020, when we were all in lockdown during the COVID pandemic, I took the opportunity to lay these things out on a white board. This was my teaching board for Sunday services. It is a three foot by five foot board, so plenty of room to lay out the context of Gill’s theology. I began by drawing out the Framework of Sovereign Grace. I then cut some A4 sheets of paper into small pieces, writing on each piece the chapter titles of Gill’s theology. I then proceeded to organize them within the context of the Framework, confirming what I knew to be true—Gill’s teachings are aligned with the diagram. It then dawned upon me that what we now have by way of this diagram is the key to opening up the teachings of Gill’s theology. All of this was by coincidence, of course, or should I say according to God’s providence, for I had developed the Framework of Sovereign Grace almost ten years prior to aligning the chapters of Gill’s theology with it. 

In preparation for this study, I have prepared these notes in digital format.

Click here for a high resolution PDF version

It will be posted to The Baptist Particular, where you can access the image online, or download the PDF. Now, as you can see, the major setback with the digital format is that the text is far too tiny to read for this online study. However, I will work around this problem by highlighting the various parts of the diagram and magnifying the size of each part. You will be able to do the same with the online or PDF version, as I have uploaded a high resolution image of the Framework.

There is one preliminary comment I must make before I take you through the chapter headings. You will notice some additional information within the Framework that I have not included in previous studies. Under the human race I have inserted the angelic hosts. And like the human race, you will discover God making some angels the object of His love, preparing them unto glory, while setting aside the other angels as objects of hate, fitting them to destruction. As God made this choice among the members of the human race, He acted in precisely the same way with reference to the angelic hosts. And this is quite clearly reflected, not only on this diagram, but also in Gill’s theology. 

Now, let’s begin with “The Key” that is inserted at the top left hand corner of the diagram:

The letters and numbers within the parenthesis represent the original arrangement and numberings given by John Gill. Now, if you are using a digital copy of Gill’s Theology, sometimes the Table of Contents is missing. But if you are using a printed copy, then the Table of Contents may look like this:

We have the title page, in this case, my printed copy is a reprint of the 1815 edition, republished in 1977 by the Primitive Baptist Library. We then have the first page of the Table of Contents, beginning with “A Body Of Doctrinal Divinity”. After the Introduction, you notice we have “Book 1”, followed by a list of chapters. Then we have “Book 2”, followed by another list of chapters. On the second page of the Table of Contents we have “Books 3, 4, 5 and 6”, following by their own list of chapters. On the third page of the Table of Contents, we have “Book 7”, followed by a list of chapters. But then we are given the second main part of Gill’s Theology—“A Body Of Practical Divinity”. We have “Books 1, 2, and 3”, followed by their own list of chapters. And then on the fourth page of the Table of Contents, we have “Book 4”, followed by a list of chapters. Of course, I am not including the Appendix in this series on Bible Doctrine. 

Now, look again at the “The Key”. Since I have rearranged and renumbered the chapter headings, it is necessary I point out how you can locate the chapters in Gill’s Divinity. To that end, I will give you four examples. Take, for instance, 

17. Joy Of God (DB1/C19)

I have changed the chapter number to 17, but if you want to locate it in Gill’s Divinity, then you would look up “D”, standing for Doctrinal Body, “B”, standing for Book (in this case, Book 1), and “C”, standing for Chapter (in this case, Chapter 19). 

Again, 

52. Creation Of Man (DB3/C3)

I have changed the chapter number to 52, but if you want to locate it in Gill’s Divinity, then you would look up “D”, standing for Doctrinal Body, “B”, standing for Book (in this case, Book 3), and “C”, standing for Chapter (in this case, Chapter 3). 

Again,

98. Object Of Worship (PB1, C1)

I have changed the chapter number to 98, but if you want to locate it in Gill’s Divinity, then you would look up “P”, standing for Practical Body, “B”, standing for Book (in this case, Book 1), and “C”, standing for Chapter (in this case, Chapter 1). 

Again,

131. Lord’s Table (PB3, C2) 

I have changed the chapter number to 131, but if you want to locate it in Gill’s Divinity, then you would look up “P”, standing for Practical Body, “B”, standing for Book (in this case, Book 3), and “C”, standing for Chapter (in this case, Chapter 2). 

With this key, you will be able to easily locate the original chapter headings in Gill’s Theology, while following the new numberings that I have given for the purpose of these studies in Bible Doctrine. So, that is “The Key” to Gill’s alignments with the Framework of Sovereign Grace. 

Let us now look at the first section of Gill’s Theology, that “Of God”. All thirty chapters are listed alongside the eternal Godhead. We have here:

1. Being (Existence) Of God (BD1/C1)

2. Nature Of God—Spirituality And Simplicity (DB1/C4)

3. Unity Of The Godhead—God Is Indivisibly One Being (DB1/C26)

4. Plurality In The Godhead (DB1/C26)

5. Personal Relations In The Godhead (DB1/C28)

6. Personality Of The Father (DB1/C29)

7. Personality Of The Son (DB1/C30)

8. Personality Of The Holy Spirit (DB1/C31)

9. Names Of God (DB1/C3)

10. Attributes And Immutability Of God (DB1/C5)

God, as a Spirit, is Uncreated.

11. Infinitude Of God (DB1/C6)

God, as a Spirit, is Active.

12. Life Of God (DB1/C7)

13. Omnipotence Of God (DB1/C8)

God, as a Spirit, is Rational.

14. Omniscience Of God (DB1/C9)

15. Wisdom Of God (DB1/C10)

God, as a Spirit, is Volitional.

16. Sovereign Will Of God (DB1/C11)

God, as a Spirit, is Affectionate.

17. Joy Of God (DB1/C19)

18. Love Of God (DB1/C12)

19. Grace Of God (DB1/C13)

20. Mercy Of God (DB1/C14)

21. Long-Suffering Of God (DB1/C15)

22. Hatred Of God (DB1/C18)

23. Anger And Wrath Of God (DB1/C17)

God, as a Spirit, is Virtuous.

24. Goodness Of God (DB1/C16)

25. Holiness Of God (DB1/C20)

26. Justice And Righteousness Of God (DB1/C21)

27. Veracity Of God (DB1/C22)

28. Faithfulness Of God (DB1/C23)

God, as a Spirit, is Majestic.

29. Sufficiency And Perfection Of God (DB1/C24)

30. Blessedness Of God (DB1/C25)

So, these chapters fit within the context of the eternal Godhead. 

We now come to the second main heading of Gil’s Theology, that “Of God’s Revelation”. There are three chapters belonging to this section. The first I have placed above the world:

31. Creation In Generation (DB3/C1)

The other two I have placed below the world, within proximity to the timeline:

32. Providence (DB3/C4)

33. Scripture (DB2/C1) 

Now, obviously, the providential governance of God deals with the time continuum, God bringing to pass throughout the course of history His eternal council. And for the Scripture, I have included along the timeline, in red text, the names of all sixty-six books of the Bible. I have lined them up in chronological order, showing their historic continuity, providing also the period of history covered by each book of the Bible. I must say, this in itself is a very useful piece of information and will assist you in your reading and study of God’s Word. And so, these are the three chapters belonging to that “Of God’s Revelation”. 

We then come to the third and final section of Gill’s Theology, that “Of God’s Works”. Now, you will remember from our previous study, there is a distinction between the eternal decree of God, which is the blueprint for all that He will do in time, and His providential governance, which is God bringing to pass in time all that He has decreed from eternity. 

We start with the eternal decree of God, all sixteen chapters listed alongside the eternal Godhead:

34. Works of God in General (DB2/C1)

35. Special Decrees of God (DB2/C2)

36. Decree of Rejection (Reprobation) (DB2/C3)

37. Everlasting Council of the Godhead (DB2/C16)

38. Everlasting Covenant of Grace (DB2/C7)

39. Role of Father in the Covenant (DB2/C8)

40. Eternal Union of Elect unto God (DB2/C4)

41. God’s Eternal Act of Justification (DB2/C5)

42. Role of Son in the Covenant (DB2/C9)

43. Christ as Covenant Head of the Elect (DB2/C10)

44. Christ as Mediator of the Covenant (DB2/C11)

45. Christ as Surety of the Covenant (DB2/C12)

46. Christ as Testator of the Covenant (DB2/C13)

47. Role of Holy Spirit in the Covenant (DB2/C14)

48. Properties of the Covenant of Grace (DB2/C15)

49. Delight of God in Himself (DB2/C16)

Now, again, I say these chapters deal with God’s Masterplan for the Ages. They are the blueprint for all that God will bring to pass in time. It is for this reason they rightly belong to the realm of eternity, within the counsel of the blessed Godhead. 

But this then brings us to providential governance of God, containing the last ninety-nine chapters and the last part of Gill’s teachings. 

We begin with the angelic hosts:

50. Creation Of Angels (DB3/C2)

51. Confirmation Of Elect/Non-Elect Angels (DB3/C5)

We then come to that of the human race: 

52. Creation Of Man (DB3/C3)

53. Man In A State Of Innocence (DB3/C6)

54. Covenant Of Works And The Heart Law (DB3/C7)

55. Sin And Fall Of First Parents (DB3/C8)

56. Nature And Effects Of Sin Of Man  (DB3/C9)

57. Imputation Of Sin To Adam’s Posterity (DB3/C10)

58. Corruption Of Human Nature (DB3/C11)

59. Actual Sins And Transgressions (DB3/C12)

60. Punishment Of Sin (DB3/C13)

We then come to the administration of the Covenant of Grace throughout the course of history. Remember, the Covenant of Grace is one and the same with the Covenant of Redemption. We are not talking here about an additional covenant of grace God made with Adam after he sinned, or promised to Adam after he sinned, conditioned upon the sinner’s faith in Christ. No, Gill teaches no such thing. Rather, that eternal covenant drawn up by the TriUne Jehovah is the same covenant brought to pass throughout the course of history. It is not a covenant that is made with sinners, nor is it a covenant that begins in time. It is a covenant made between the three Persons of the Godhead and a covenant that was established from eternity. Gill therefore demonstrates in the following chapters that all sinners throughout the ages have been saved in one and the same way—by the justifying work of God through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus and by the regenerating power of the Holy Spirit. Yes, Old Testament saints, as well as New Testaments saints, all experienced the new birth and were justified and sanctified in exactly the same way. There is the,

62. Covenant Of Grace: Patriarchal (DB4/C2)

63. Covenant Of Grace: Mosaic (DB4/C3)

64. Covenant Of Grace: Kings (DB4/C4)

61. Administration Of The Covenant Of Grace (DB4/C1)

65. The Introduction Of The New Covenant (DB4/C5)

66. The Law Of God (DB4/C6)

67. The Gospel Of God (DB4/C7)

We now come to the redeeming work of God the Son, a reference to the second branch of the gospel. Remember, there are three branches of the gospel—the electing love of God the Father, the redeeming grace of God the Son and the sanctifying power of God the Spirit. The electing love of God the Father is explained by Gill within the context of God’s eternal decree. And although the redeeming grace of the Son and the sanctifying power of the Spirit are touched upon within that same context, yet most of the teachings related to these gospel branches are reserved for the providential governance of God, when the Father would send forth His Son and the Spirit, to actualize all that they agreed to do from eternity. And so, it is within this context of the redeeming grace of God the Son in time, that we consider the following chapters:

68. Kingly Office Of Christ (DB5/C13)

69. Prophetic Office Of Christ (DB5/C9)

70. Priestly Office Of Christ (DB5/C10)

71. Incarnation Of Christ (DB5/C1)

72. Humiliation Of Christ (DB5/C2)

73. Active Obedience Of Christ (DB5/C3)

74. Passive Obedience Of Christ (DB5/C4)

75. Redemption By Christ (DB6/C1)

76. Causes Of Redemption (DB6/C2)

77. Objects Of Redemption (DB6/C3)

78. Texts Which Seem To Favour Universal Redemption (DB6/C4)

79. Satisfaction Of Christ (DB6/C5)

80. Propitiation And Reconciliation By Christ (DB6/C6)

81. Pardon And Forgiveness Of Sin (DB6/C6)

82. Justification (DB6/C8)

83. Adoption (DB6/C9)

84. Burial Of Christ (DB5/C5)

85. Resurrection Of Christ (DB5/C6)

86. Ascension Of Christ (DB5/C7)

87. Christ At Right Hand Of Father (DB5/C8)

88. Intercession Of Christ (DB5/C11)

89. Blessings Of Christ (DB5/C12)

90. Scriptural Reign Of Christ (DB5/C14)

This then brings us to the third branch of the gospel—the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. As you can see from the Framework, I have started to list the chapters immediately under this heading, but have had to continue the list to the right side of the diagram. The sanctifying power of the Holy Sprit begins with,

91. Regeneration (DB6, C11)

92. Effectual Calling (DB6, C12)

93. Conversion (DB6, C13)

94. Sanctification (DB6, C14)

95. Good Works In General (PB4, C5)

96. Liberty Of The Sons Of God (DB6, C10)

97. Ten Commandments (PB4, C6)

And then, under the same heading, that of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, we are given a list of topics which belong to the believer’s relationship with the Lord:

98. Object Of Worship (PB1, C1)

99. Internal Worship, Godliness (PB1, C2)

100. Communion With God (PB1, C24)

101. Knowledge Of God (PB1, C3)

102. Faith In God (PB1, C6)

103. Fear Of God (PB1, C8)

104. Repentance Toward God (PB1, C4)

105. Trust And Confidence In God (PB1, C7)

106. Grace Of Hope (PB1, C8)

107. Grace Of Love (PB1, C9)

108. Spiritual Joy (PB1, C10)

109. Peace And Tranquility Of Mind (PB1, C11)

110. Contentment Of Mind (PB1, C12)

111. Thankfulness To God (PB1, C13)

112. Humility (PB1, C14)

113. Self Denial (PB1, C15)

114. Resignation To The Will Of God (PB1, C16)

115. Patience (PB1, C17)

116. Christian Fortitude (PB1, C18)

117. Zeal (PB1, C19)

118. Wisdom And Prudence (PB1, C20)

119. Godly Sincerity (PB1, C21)

120. Spiritual Mindedness (PB1, C22)

121. Good Conscience (PB1, C23)

122. Perseverance Of The Saints (PB6, C15)

We are then given a list of topics, still under the general heading of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, connected with the believer’s relationship to other believers, particularly with reference to the church:

123. Gospel Church (PB2, C1)

124. Baptism (PB3, C1)

125. Duties Of Church Members (PB2, C2)

126. Church Discipline (PB2, C6)

127. Church Officers, Particularly Pastors (PB2, C3)

128. Duties Of Members Towards Their Pastor (PB2, C4)

129. Office Of Deacon (PB2, C5)

130. Place And Time Of Public Worship (PB3, C8)

131. Lord’s Table (PB3, C2)

132. Public Ministry Of The Word (PB3, C3)

133. Public Hearing Of The Word (PB3, C4)

134. Public Prayer (PB3, C5)

135. Lord’s Prayer (PB3, C6)

136. Singing Psalms (PB3, C4)

We are given a final list of topics, still within the context of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit, relating to the believer’s relationship to social order and government:

137. Duties Of Husband And Wife (PB4, C1)

138. Duties Of Parents And Children (PB4, C2)

139. Duties Of Masters And Servants (PB4, C3)

140. Duties Of Magistrates And Subjects (PB4, C4)

Now, all of these matters come under the general heading of the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. In fact, unless we view these topics within that context, we will certainly stumble our way through life, not knowing how to properly walk with God or with others. 

Well, this brings us to the end times. What should we know about the world to come? We begin with God’s elect people, prepared unto glory:

141. Death Of The Body (PB7, C1)

142. Immortality Of The Soul (PB7, C2)

143. Separate State Of The Soul (PB7, C3)

145. Resurrection Of The Body (PB7, C4)

151. Final State Of Saints In Heaven (PB7, C11)

Let us now consider the second coming of Christ:

144. Second Coming Of Christ (PB7, C5)

146. Conflagration Of The Universe (PB7, C6)

147. New Heaven And New Earth (PB7, C7)

148. Millennium—Reign Of Christ (PB7, C8)

And finally, this brings us to the end of Gill’s Theology, with the non-elect, fitted to destruction:

149. Last And General Judgment (PB7, C9)

150. Final State Of Wicked In Hell (PB7, C10)

Well, that’s the Framework of Sovereign Grace aligned with Gill’s ‘Body of Doctrinal and Practical Divinity’. I think you can now see, quite clearly, how all the chapters—all one-hundred-and-fifty-one chapters—fit together within the context of this diagram. And therefore, when I say to you the Framework of Sovereign Grace is the key to understanding Gill’s systematic theology, I hope you have come to appreciate the point I’ve been making in the last several studies. 

I am making this diagram available on The Baptist Particular, and as I said earlier, you will be able to view the details online, or better yet, download the PDF so that you have ready access to it in your own files. As you can see, it’s a high resolution image and it’s easy to navigate around the Framework. As we journey together through the teachings of Gill, I encourage you to use this Framework as a navigational guide. It is so easy to get lost in the details, especially when we begin exploring various avenues of Bible Doctrine. To keep our eyes on the big picture, and to maintain perspective throughout our studies, it is helpful to view all teachings through the spectrum of the Framework of Sovereign Grace. 

Next week, we will take a look at Gill’s introduction to his systematic theology. I do hope you will join me again at that time. Until then, may you continue to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.