GILL, JOUN, D.D., a Baptist minister, of some eminence as a theologian, and especi ally deserving of remembrance as one of the few English divines who have brought rab binical learning to bear on the interpretation of Scripture, was b. at Kettering, North amptonshire, Nov. 23, 1697. His parents were in humble circumstances, but they placed him at the grammar school at Kettering, from which, however, they were compelled to withdraw him before the completion of his course, on account of the enforcement of a rule requiring all the scholars to attend the parish church. He pursued his studies in private, and by his own unaided efforts, attained considerable proficiency in Latin, Greek and Hebrew. He afterwards devoted himself much to the study of the rabbini cal writers. Having begun to preach at an early age, he became, in 1719, pastor of a Baptist church at Iforseleydown, in Southwark; from which, in 1757, lie removed to a new chapel in Carter-lane, near London bridge, and there continued to minister till his death, Oct. 14, 1771. Gill was a very volummouS authot; biaoy of hit works were on controversial subjects, often of mere temporary interest, but he produced also some which are still studied or consulted by divines. His first important work was an Expo al.:ion of the Song of Solomon (fol. 1728), in which he vindicated the authenticity of that
book against Whiston. His Exposition of the _Yew Testament appeared in three folio vols. in 1746, 1747, and 1748; and his Exposition of the Old Testament subsequently, at several dates, in six folio volumes. The complete work, a commentary on the whole Bible, has been since re-published (9 vols. 4to, Loud. 1809-10). Gill's other principal works are— A Body of Doctrinal Divinity (2 vols. 4to, Loud. 1769), and A Body of Practical Dkinit y (1 vol. 4to, Lond. 1770), which were afterwards republished together as one work (3 vole., Lond. 1793). He wrote also, as a controversialist, in defense of the doctrine of the Trinity and of Galvanism. He was a very high Calvinist. As a writer, he is ex tremely discursive and diffuse, by which the value of works full of thought and learn ing is much diminished. Gill received the degree of D.D. from the Marischal college and university, Aberdeen, in 1748. He sent to Dr. Kennicott a collection of quotations of the Old Testament in the Talmud, differing from the ordinarily received text, which Dr. Kennicott made use of and acknowledged in his great work.