 |
Dr.
John Gill, a particular Baptist theologian |
June
15, 2022. Wednesday midweek meeting
Whetting
the Appetite (2)
Surveying
John Gill’s “A Body of Divinity–
Doctrinal & Practical”
Book
2: Of The Internal Acts And Works Of God; And Of His Decrees In General
Book 2 has 16 chapters. Let us take a peep at the first two chapters.
Chapter
1
Of
The Internal Acts And Works Of God; And Of His Decrees In General
-
“The acts and works of God may be distinguished into internal and external. The
“external” acts and works of God, are such as are done in time, visible to us,
or known by us; as creation, providence, redemption, &c. His “internal”
acts and works, which will be first considered, and are what were done in
eternity, are commonly distinguished into personal and essential. Personal acts
are such as are peculiar to each person, and distinguish the one from the
other; and which have been taken notice of already, in treating of the doctrine
of the Trinity. “Essential” acts are such as are common to them all…”
a.
First, The proof to be given of them, that there are decrees and purposes in
God; not merely ideas of things future, but settled determinations concerning
them; which may be evinced from the nature and perfections of God.
b.
Secondly, The extent of the decrees and purposes of God, deserve notice and
consideration: and they reach to all things that come to pass in the world,
from the beginning to the end of it. The world, and all things in it, were
created by and according to the will and pleasure of God (Rev. 4:11).
c.
Thirdly, The properties of the purposes and decrees of God, may next be
considered:
-
As they are internal acts, they are immanent ones; they are in God, and remain
and abide in him…
-
They are eternal; as God himself is eternal, so are they…
-
The decrees of God are most free; they are the free acts of his will…
-
They are most wise decrees; as God is a wise Being, and does all his works in
wisdom…
-
They are immutable and unalterable… signified by mountains, for their
immoveableness, and by mountains of brass
-
The decrees of God are always effectual; they cannot be frustrated or
disannulled,or become of no effect…
Chapter
2
Of
The Special Decrees Of God, Relating To Rational Creatures, Angels, And Men;
And Particularly Of Election
a.
The election of angels
b.
The elect of men to grace and glory:
-
the election of Christ (the Word made flesh) as a man and mediator, God’s first
and chief elect!
-
the character of the elect as given to Christ
-
(i) the phrases by which election is expressed in Scriptures
-
(ii) by whom it is made, and in whom it is made… by God… in Christ
-
(iii) the objects of election…
-
(iv) the time of election…
-
(v) the moving cause of election…
-
(vi) the means fixed for the execution of it…
-
(vii) the ends/goals settled in the decree of election, both subordinate and
ultimate…
-
viii) the blessings and benefits flowing from the election are many: effectual
calling, justification, adoption… communion,
-
(ix) the several properties of election: it’s eternal, by God’s free and
sovereign grace, absolute and unconditional, complete and perfect, immutable
and irrevocable, special and particular, may be known by the object of it..
Chapter
3.
Of
The Decree Of Rejection, Of Some Angels, And Of Some Men
Chapter
4
Of
The Eternal Union Of The Elect Of God Unto Him
Chapter
5
Of
Other Eternal And Immanent Acts In God, Particularly Adoption And Justification
Chapter
6
Of
The Everlasting Council Between The Three Divine Persons, Concerning The
Salvation Of Men
Chapter
7
Of
The Everlasting Covenant Of Grace, Between The Father, And The Son, And The
Holy Spirit
Chapter
8
Of
The Part Which The Father Takes In The Covenant
Chapter
9
Of
The Part The Son Of God, The Second Person, Has Taken In The Covenant
Chapter
10
Of
Christ, As The Covenant Head Of The Elect
Chapter
11
Of Christ, The Mediator Of The Covenant
Chapter
12
Of Christ, The Surety Of The Covenant
Chapter
13
Of
Christ, The Testator Of The Covenant
Chapter
14
Of The Concern The Spirit Of God Has In The
Covenant Of Grace
Chapter
15
Of The Properties Of The Covenant Of Grace
Chapter
16
Of
The Complacency And Delight God Had In Himself, And The Divine Persons In Each
Other, Before Any Creature Was Brought Into Being.
