Get Gill!

I'm sure this is a war cry increasingly heard these days... Poor old Dr John Gill does get plenty of undeserved stick, especially from those who want to displace him from being the best theologian the Particular Baptists have had in favour of Andrew Fuller. A high view of the sovereign grace of God hurts the pride of Man. If the doctrine is not absolutely denied, it must be talked down and the pivotal point in saving grace shifted to the sinner's duty. So all evangelistic effort is expended to get Man to do his duty and be converted. But Christ said 'I, if I be lifted up from the earth will draw all men unto me', showing divine determination to save all that the Father gave to him. The Good Shepherd knows his sheep, and blesses the preaching of the gospel to be the infallible means of gathering them. This is what Gill stood so staunchly for, and with an ability that has given him a lasting reputation. His writing has been labelled as tedious, but this is because he is thorough. Certainly his output was vast. With this in mind, a small 'taster' from his Body of Divinity on the subject of Justification was published by Gospel Standard Publications a couple of years ago.

Now, I think the Gill Bundle deal we have put together for just £12 (April only) is an ideal package, not only because of the affordability, but because of what you get for your money. It includes the 'Justification' book just mentioned, which gives you a great introduction to his doctrine and style. Get this under your belt and then you can go for his defence of Believer's Baptism by immersion in 'Baptismal Tracts & Sermons'. It's a rare facsimilie edition. Finally you can read a biographical survey of Gill, his work, his times, and his detractors by Dr George Ella: 'John Gill and the Cause of God and Truth'. This is an excellent book for reference material, and you can make up your own mind if you think that perhaps Ella has tried too hard to defend him!

Jeremy