It has been the contention of the Hardshells since the Daily-Throgmorton debate that John Gill, though he taught means in regeneration in his Commentaries, written in his supposed younger years, nevertheless changed his mind in his later years and works, in which later writings (Body of Divinity) he supposedly denied regeneration by means. I have in my section on "Gill and the Hardshells" shown how false a charge that was, and in spite of evidence showing it to be false, they continue to say this about Dr. Gill.
In the following citations from Gill's "Doctrinal Divinity, Book 4, Chapter 7," titled "Of the Gospel," Gill shows clearly that he held to the same view in his Body of Divinity and in his old age as he did in his Commentaries or in his younger days.
Wrote Gill:
"Thirdly, The effects of the gospel when attended with the power and Spirit of God.
3a. The regeneration of men, who are said to be born again by the word of God, and to be begotten again with the word of truth, #1Pe 1:23 Jas 1:18 hence ministers of the gospel are represented as spiritual fathers, #1Co 4:15."
Can anything be clearer? That is the same view he gave in his Commentaries, especially on the passages mentioned.
Gill continued:
"3b. As in regeneration souls are quickened by the Spirit and grace of God, this is ascribed to the gospel as an instrument, hence it is called the Spirit which giveth life, and said to be the savour of life unto life, 2 Co 2:16 3:6."
Again, is that not clear? Is that not what the first "Primitive Baptists" believed and taught? How and why did their later followers come to deny it?
Gill continued:
"3c. The gospel is frequently spoken of as a light, a great light, a glorious light; and so is in the hands of the Spirit a means of enlightening the dark minds of men into the mysteries of grace, and the method of salvation; "the entrance of thy word giveth light, it giveth understanding unto the simple", #Ps 119:130. The Spirit of God gives the gospel an entrance into the heart, being opened by him to attend unto it; and when it has an entrance, it gives light into a man's self, his state and condition, and into the way of life by Christ; it is a glass in which the glory of Christ, and of the riches of his grace, may be seen.
3d. By it faith in Christ comes, and is ingenerated in the heart by the Spirit of God attending it; hence among other reasons, it is called "the word of faith"; and ministers, by preaching it, are instruments of confirming and increasing faith, and of perfecting what is lacking in it, #Ro 10:8,17 1Th 3:10."
He also wrote in the same section:
"but it is a blessing of the covenant of grace, which flows from electing love, is a gift of God's free grace, the operation of the Spirit of God, comes by the hearing of faith, or the word of faith, as a means, that is, the gospel; for which reason, among others, the gospel is so called; and it is that which points out Christ, the object of faith; and directs and encourages sensible sinners under a divine influence to exercise it on him; its language is, "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved", Acts 16:31."
Will our Hardshell brothers stop repeating their lies about Gill on this? Do they not realize how they are casting serious reflection on this great man of God?
If Gill did change his mind in his later years, why did he not publish that fact, seeing it was against all he had ever said before on the subject? Surely he would have done so for he was an honest man.
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