A soveraign antidote against sinful errors, the epidemical plague of these latter dayes. Extracted out of divine records, the dispensatory of Christianity: for the prevention and cure of our spiritual distempers. By Claudius Gilbert, B.D. and minister of the Gospel at Limrick in Ireland.

Thus the glorious God works graciously in and by all Means of his appointing, to the creating, encrease and perfecting of his singular Jewel.

2. THe formal Cause is very Remarkable in that peculiar saving application made of Christ to his Elect in their conversion, gradually carried on towards perfection by the Spirits gracious Operation. For then doth he stamp on that soul the glorious characters of Christs Image, and begets that new creature, which divine off-spring moves upward in∣stantly, in conjugal Reciprocations, dilating the soul in all her faculties to the further comprehension of Christ. It may be parallel'd with that Energetial Power, whereby the rational soul, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 animates the humane nature, into all sui∣table operations. What the soul is to man, in naturals, thats Christ to the soul in spirituals. The principle of all Life, Sence and Reason thus spiritually applied to the Regenerate, enables and excites, directs and strengthens them to the choice Im∣provements of this conjugal Acquaintance. Christ on mar∣riage terms by his Spirit in his Word, tenders and gives him∣self to be their Husband. By this quickening Touch, they are efficaciously moved to close with him, and keep close to him, by Matrimonial Reciprocations. Thus doth the gracious knowledge of Christ Receive its first Being and progressive

Operations from that Light of Life imparted to Gods people in this conjugal Union and Communion. I will betroth thee unto me, saith the God of Grace, in Kindness and Mercy, in Truth and Judgement, and thou shalt know the Lord. Admi∣rable sure in this divine Acquaintance, that is thus twisted by the Lords own hand, and embraced by a gracious hand! Rare is that Jewel, which is so curiously wrought for the Work∣manship of the God of Heaven. Therein do shine all divine Attributes in their Orient brightness, at the wedding Feast of the King of Saints. Is not this Life eternal, thus to know the Father, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent? Doth not this Sun of Righteousness bring Healing under his Wings to all that fear his Name? Is not he that Living, that quickening Light, that dispels all darkness and Death, by his gracious Visits and Influxe? Do not his amiable Aspects pro∣duce a joyful Spring of all Divine Graces in the New world by his glorious Light and efficacious Heat? Doth he not Ra∣vish with divine Embraces the New Creature, with his All-searching Presence, and his perfective Influence, through all the Beams of his Transcedent communications? Do not his Active Rayes cherish, by all his renewed Motions the Prin∣ciples of Life given to all his? This Divine Sun never ecclips∣ed but once for the salvation of his, though he seems often to be clouded, in his alternative Access and Recess.

Notes

• Matth. 22. 1, 2, 3, &c.
• Luke 14.
• Forma dat esse & operari.
• Hos. 2. 19, 20, &c.
• Iohn. 17. 2, 3.
• Mal. 4. 2.
• Iohn 8. 12.
• Iohn 9. 5.
• Ioh. 12. 36. 46.
• Psalm. 19.
• The Apostle in Rom. 10. 18. alluding to the natural Sun, wherein God hath pit∣ched his glo∣rious Taber∣nacle, sets out the p••ogress of his Gospel most elegantly, by the very words of the Septuagint. Thence some call the Sun the Natural Apostle of the Deity, shewing the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Rom. 1 19, 20. to conviction, though not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 unto Salvation. That is of common nature, this of peculiar Grace, Mat. 11. 25, 26. Mat. 13. 11, 12, &c. Pro. 16. 4.