Have you ever been told that the “doctrines of grace”—those heavy truths about election and God’s total control over salvation—were just a late invention? Critics often claim that the early church knew nothing of these ideas until St. Augustine came along and ruined the party in the fifth century. This leaves many believers feeling like they are standing on shaky historical ground, wondering if their reformed faith is a historical novelty rather than the “faith once delivered to the saints.” John Gill, the legendary eighteenth-century Baptist scholar, took this challenge personally. In his massive work, The Cause of God and Truth, Gill doesn’t just argue for these doctrines; he goes on a historical and biblical rescue mission to show that sovereign grace has been the heartbeat of the church from the very beginning.
Writing from the perspective of a pastor who holds the Westminster Standards close to my heart, I found Gill’s work to be an essential fortress for the soul. He provides a systematic defense that is as much about the integrity of God’s character as it is about the security of the believer. Here are the most surprising and impactful takeaways from this treasury of truth.
The Early Church Fathers Wore “Calvinist” Glasses Too
One of the most surprising sections of Gill’s work is his deep dive into the writings of the church fathers who lived long before Augustine. He examines the words of early leaders like Clement of Rome and Ignatius to show that they frequently used the language of election and special grace. Gill argues that while these early writers were more focused on fighting off paganism than defining the mechanics of the will, they still clearly spoke of a specific, elect number of people chosen by God.
This is a vital point for the laity to grasp. It means that when we talk about being chosen in Christ before the world began, we aren’t following a “new” theology. Gill shows that even the earliest Christians understood that their calling was not a result of their own wisdom or piety, but was grounded in the prior will and preparation of God.
“All therefore are glorified and magnified, not by themselves or their own works of righteous actions, which they have wrought out, but by his will.”
God Commands as a Sovereign, Not as an Equal
Gill provides a brilliant solution to a common puzzle: if man is unable to repent or believe on his own, why does God command everyone to do so? He makes a sharp distinction between God’s “will of command” and His “will of purpose.” The “will of command” shows us what is our duty and what is pleasing to God. It sets the standard of righteousness. However, the “will of purpose” is what God actually intends to bring to pass.
This reflection is important because it protects the authority of the Lawgiver. Just because we have lost our power to obey through the fall doesn’t mean God has lost His right to command. Gill argues that these commands serve to show us our weakness and leave us without excuse, while the Spirit uses them as a means to draw the elect to Christ.
Foreknowledge is the Result of a Plan, Not a Prediction
A frequent argument against election is that God simply “foresees” who will believe and then chooses them based on that information. Gill turns this on its head. He argues that God’s foreknowledge is not a “guess” or a “conjecture” based on watching human choices from a distance. Instead, God knows what will happen because He has decreed what will happen.
This analysis shifts our focus from human “potential” to divine “purpose.” If God’s knowledge depended on our choices, His mind would be dependent on the creature, which is an impossibility for the Almighty. By grounding foreknowledge in the decree, Gill ensures that the “Cause of God” remains sovereign and that our salvation is settled by an unchangeable will.
“He willed things, and then knew what he willed… God’s decrees are not to be conceived of without his knowledge, nor his knowledge without his decrees.”
The New Birth is a Resurrection, Not a Negotiation
Gill is uncompromising when it comes to the act of conversion. He insists that in the first act of the new birth, the human soul is purely passive. He compares it to the resurrection of a dead body or the creation of the world. Just as a corpse does not “cooperate” with the power that raises it, a sinner “dead in trespasses and sins” does not contribute to the initial spark of spiritual life.
This is a powerful takeaway for anyone struggling with their own spiritual “performance.” It reminds us that our new life is a miracle of almighty power. While we are certainly active in the life of faith that follows—loving God and serving others—the initial “new creation” is a work that belongs entirely to the Holy Spirit.
“This new creation is not an improvement, or a mending of the old principles of nature, but an infusion of new ones, and so is properly styled a creation.”
Why You Should Read This Book
John Gill’s The Cause of God and Truth is a necessary read for anyone who wants to see the broad, historical, and biblical foundation of the reformed faith. It is a masterclass in how to handle difficult Scripture passages without dodging the hard questions. If you have ever felt “bullied” by arguments that suggest your theology is mean-spirited or unhistorical, Gill provides the intellectual and spiritual armor you need to stand firm.
Reading this book will help you see that the “Cause” we represent is not a narrow sectarian opinion, but the very truth of God’s own glory. It will lead you out of the fog of human uncertainty and place your feet on the solid rock of God’s eternal, sovereign purpose.