good-order_n and_o harmony_n pythagoras_n pythagoras_n hence_o some_o oâ—_n the_o philosopher_n hold_v that_o virtue_n be_v nothing_o else_o but_o a_o symmetry_n or_o harmony_n and_o if_o this_o good_a order_n or_o harmony_n be_v essential_a to_o all_o virtue_n how_o much_o more_o than_o be_v it_o requisite_a to_o friendship_n especial_o between_o the_o soul_n and_o christ_n which_o be_v one_o of_o the_o high_a degree_n of_o virtue_n the_o poor_a philosopher_n can_v say_v 326._o say_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d plato_n protag_n 3._o fol._n 326._o that_o the_o whole_a life_n of_o a_o man_n shall_v consist_v of_o a_o good_a rhyme_n and_o right_a harmony_n whence_o he_o make_v harmony_n and_o symmetry_n to_o be_v the_o soul_n not_o only_o of_o the_o moral_a but_o also_o of_o the_o natural_a world_n be_v not_o this_o more_o proper_o applicable_a to_o the_o saint_n friendship_n with_o christ_n amity_n prudent_a order_n the_o soul_n of_o amity_n what_o do_v more_o spirit_n animate_v beautify_v and_o confirm_v amity_n with_o christ_n than_o a_o holy_a order_n and_o divine_a harmony_n in_o our_o way_n and_o conversation_n and_o what_o can_v be_v more_o soverain_o efficacious_a and_o expedient_a for_o the_o beget_n this_o sacred_a order_n than_o this_o spiritual_a prudent_a dexterity_n which_o we_o have_v be_v treat_v of_o spiritual_a light_n and_o prudence_n be_v the_o best_a orderer_n of_o thing_n sinner_n void_a of_o the_o light_n of_o life_n be_v loged_a in_o the_o grave_n of_o sin_n where_o there_o be_v no_o order_n but_o confusion_n yea_o their_o light_n be_v darkness_n as_o job_n speak_v of_o the_o natural_a death_n job_n 10.22_o 10.22_o job_n 10.22_o a_o land_n of_o darkness_n as_o darkness_n itself_o and_o of_o the_o shadow_n of_o death_n without_o any_o order_n and_o where_o the_o light_n be_v as_o darkness_n sinner_n who_o light_n be_v darkness_n can_v but_o be_v full_a of_o disorder_n and_o confusion_n for_o all_o disorder_n come_v from_o darkness_n thence_o job_n 37.19_o 37.19_o job_n 37.19_o it_o be_v say_v we_o can_v order_v our_o speech_n by_o reason_n of_o darkness_n none_o can_v order_v their_o word_n and_o way_n aright_o but_o such_o as_o be_v endue_v with_o the_o spirit_n of_o god_n and_o save_a light_n whence_o david_n pray_v psal_n 119.133_o 119.133_o psal_n 119.133_o order_n my_o step_n in_o thy_o word_n i._n e._n cloth_n i_o with_o a_o spirit_n of_o wisdom_n or_o prudent_a dexterity_n that_o so_o i_o may_v order_v my_o step_n according_a to_o thy_o word_n and_o approve_v myself_o thy_o faithful_a friend_n and_o such_o as_o do_v thus_o prudent_o order_v their_o way_n have_v a_o promise_n of_o the_o high_a manifestation_n of_o divine_a friendship_n 50.23_o psal_n 50.23_o as_o psal_n 50.23_o to_o he_o that_o order_v his_o conversation_n aright_o will_v i_o show_v the_o salvation_n of_o god_n we_o see_v then_o how_o essential_o and_o universal_o useful_a this_o divine_a prudence_n be_v both_o for_o the_o production_n and_o conservation_n of_o friendship_n in_o general_n but_o more_o particular_o of_o that_o amity_n which_o ought_v to_o be_v betwixt_o the_o soul_n and_o christ_n i_o shall_v sum_v up_o the_o whole_a of_o this_o particular_a in_o a_o brief_a character_n of_o divine_a prudence_n as_o it_o relate_v to_o friendship_n with_o christ_n this_o spiritual_a prudence_n be_v pythag._n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d jambl._n ex_fw-la pythag._n a_o intelligent_a eye_n which_o contemplate_v those_o incomparable_a beauty_n and_o transcendent_a glory_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n it_o be_v a_o spiritual_a taste_n which_o savour_v and_o relish_v those_o incomparable_a sweetness_n that_o be_v in_o christ_n it_o be_v the_o great_a inventresse_n of_o mean_n most_o expedient_a for_o the_o enjoyment_n of_o christ_n as_o our_o friend_n it_o be_v a_o pythag._n a_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pythag._n sacred_a orderer_n which_o prescribe_v the_o best_a directory_n for_o our_o way_n it_o be_v produce_v in_o a_o pure_a mind_n which_o reflect_v on_o christ_n behold_v in_o he_o a_o most_o beautiful_a exemplar_n or_o idea_n for_o all_o its_o way_n it_o be_v pythag._n be_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d pythag._n the_o corrector_n and_o governor_n of_o all_o our_o path_n pythag._n path_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d jambl._n ex_fw-la pythag._n which_o refer_v all_o to_o the_o divine_a pattern_n bring_v we_o into_o the_o near_a assimilation_n to_o and_o communion_n with_o christ_n as_o our_o friend_n o_o what_o need_v then_o have_v the_o friend_n of_o christ_n to_o study_v and_o pray_v for_o this_o divine_a prudence_n jam._n 1.5_o if_o any_o lack_n wisdom_n etc._n etc._n chap._n iii_o the_o election_n of_o a_o single_a christ_n in_o opposition_n to_o sin_n self_n the_o world_n and_o the_o law_n sect_n 1._o the_o saint_n friendship_n with_o christ_n be_v conjugal_a and_o therefore_o christ_n be_v single_o to_o be_v elect_v as_o the_o foundation_n in_o artificial_o give_v union_n friendship_n a_o find_v head_n and_o a_o sincere_a heart_n the_o great_a spring_n of_o all_o friendship_n and_o strength_n and_o the_o head_n in_o natural_n afford_v influence_n and_o conduct_n to_o the_o whole_a body_n the_o like_a do_v prudence_n in_o moral_n particular_o in_o friendship_n as_o it_o have_v be_v show_v but_o yet_o if_o prudence_n be_v the_o root_n and_o head_n the_o will_n be_v the_o heart_n where_o friendship_n have_v its_o proper_a seat_n and_o throne_n so_o that_o not_o only_o a_o sound_a head_n but_o also_o a_o sincere_a heart_n be_v essential_o and_o fundamental_o necessary_a to_o the_o constitution_n of_o true_a amity_n whether_o human_a or_o divine_a this_o lead_v we_o to_o the_o remain_a character_n of_o the_o first_o fundamental_a law_n of_o friendship_n namely_o that_o it_o be_v found_v on_o a_o single_a complete_a election_n of_o our_o friend_n and_o that_o for_o himself_o these_o adjunct_n or_o attribute_n give_v to_o this_o election_n refer_v both_o to_o its_o object_n and_o subject_n i._n e._n we_o must_v choose_v a_o single_a complete_a object_n for_o itself_o with_o a_o single_a complete_a heart_n wherefore_o we_o shall_v discourse_v of_o these_o attribute_n under_o both_o their_o reference_n first_o election_n 1._o touch_v the_o object_n of_o this_o election_n as_o for_o the_o object_n of_o this_o election_n it_o must_v be_v single_a and_o complete_a in_o all_o friendship_n whether_o human_a or_o divine_a we_o shall_v with_o the_o lord_n be_v gracious_a assistance_n examine_v each_o of_o these_o in_o their_o order_n first_o comparative_o 1._o it_o must_v be_v â—ingle_a either_o 1._o comparative_o the_o object_n of_o this_o election_n must_v be_v single_a at_o least_o comparative_o if_o not_o absolute_o for_o 1._o all_o friendship_n among_o man_n require_v that_o its_o object_n be_v comparative_o single_a that_o be_v that_o the_o heart_n admit_v not_o of_o any_o corrival_n or_o other_o friend_n who_o stand_v in_o direct_a opposition_n to_o or_o competition_n with_o his_o elect_a friend_n for_o every_o one_o may_v be_v just_o repute_v so_o far_o a_o enemy_n to_o his_o friend_n as_o he_o be_v a_o friend_n though_o but_o secret_o to_o his_o friend_n enemy_n friendship_n or_o 2._o absolute_o as_o in_o conjugal_a friendship_n but_o 2._o there_o be_v some_o kind_n of_o friendship_n which_o require_v a_o single_a object_n absolute_o as_o that_o between_o conjugal_a relation_n conjugal_a amity_n as_o such_o absolute_o exclude_v all_o degree_n of_o comparison_n in_o the_o same_o kind_n as_o to_o all_o other_o lover_n and_o friend_n he_o or_o she_o that_o have_v the_o least_o degree_n of_o true_a conjugal_a love_n or_o friendship_n for_o any_o other_o person_n save_v that_o to_o who_o he_o or_o she_o be_v join_v by_o a_o conjugal_a election_n or_o mariage-consent_n offer_v violence_n to_o the_o very_a fundamental_a law_n of_o conjugal_a friendship_n and_o may_v be_v account_v a_o adulterer_n or_o adulteress_n at_o least_o so_o far_o as_o this_o irregular_a passion_n prevail_v for_o the_o very_a formal_a nature_n or_o reason_n of_o conjugal_a friendship_n exclude_v all_o corrival_n or_o copartner_n with_o its_o friend_n this_o be_v a_o seal_a fountain_n if_o any_o stream_n issue_v forth_o to_o other_o lover_n the_o whole_a be_v poison_v prov._n 5.15_o 16_o 17_o 18_o 19_o 20._o prov._n 2.17_o cant._n 4.12_o now_o such_o be_v the_o friendship_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o a_o gracious_a soul_n single_a the_o friendship_n betwixt_o christ_n and_o his_o friend_n conjugal_a and_o therefore_o the_o object_n single_a it_o be_v conjugal_a and_o therefore_o require_v absolute_o a_o single_a object_n of_o its_o election_n or_o choice_n that_o soul_n who_o admit_v any_o other_o but_o christ_n to_o share_v in_o the_o same_o kind_a of_o conjugal_a affection_n which_o it_o owe_v to_o christ_n be_v guilty_a of_o spiritual_a adultery_n and_o fornication_n there_o be_v a_o full_a character_n of_o a_o soul_n espouse_v to_o christ_n cant._n 4.12_o a_o
to_o elect_v and_o inviolable_o adhere_v to_o christ_n because_o hereby_o it_o will_v in_o its_o measure_n participate_v of_o eternity_n itself_o and_o eternal_a enjoyment_n 3._o another_o commun_n place_n of_o argument_n christ_n mot._n 3._o from_o the_o nature_n of_o amity_n with_o christ_n to_o enforce_v this_o exhortation_n be_v take_v from_o the_o genuine_a idea_n and_o nature_n of_o amity_n with_o christ_n what_o be_v friendship_n with_o christ_n but_o a_o divine_a confederation_n alligation_n or_o bind_v of_o the_o heart_n to_o god_n by_o a_o solemn_a league_n and_o covenant_n of_o friendship_n and_o can_v there_o be_v a_o great_a felicity_n than_o to_o have_v the_o soul_n bind_v by_o a_o inviolable_a covenant_n of_o amity_n to_o the_o great_a jehovah_n what_o be_v it_o possible_a that_o a_o rational_a creature_n shall_v refuse_v such_o a_o sweet_a and_o divine_a obligation_n as_o this_o of_o friendship_n with_o christ_n be_v not_o these_o silken_a and_o golden_a chain_n whereby_o a_o rational_a soul_n be_v bind_v fast_o to_o his_o chief_a good_a more_o desirable_a than_o the_o iron_n chain_n whereby_o the_o heart_n be_v fetter_v to_o sensibled_a good_a be_v there_o any_o loss_n or_o pain_n to_o be_v fear_v by_o have_v the_o soul_n inseparable_o glue_v and_o knit_v to_o such_o a_o excellent_a friend_n as_o christ_n be_v be_v it_o not_o a_o sweet_a and_o delightsome_a death_n to_o die_v with_o long_n for_o and_o soul-satisfying_a conversation_n with_o christ_n our_o best_a friend_n what_o be_v hell_n but_o separation_n from_o christ_n psal_n 73.27_o and_o therefore_o what-great_a heaven_n may_v we_o expect_v or_o desire_v than_o a_o immutable_a and_o intimate_v union_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n as_o our_o best_a friend_n psal_n 73.28_o be_v it_o not_o strange_a then_o that_o human_a nature_n endue_v with_o judgement_n and_o will_n shall_v be_v so_o averse_a to_o a_o covenant_n of_o friendship_n with_o christ_n what_o not_o adhere_v and_o cleave_v to_o christ_n who_o be_v so_o good_a a_o friend_n yea_o sometime_o a_o only_a friend_n do_v the_o soul_n receive_v any_o damage_n by_o enter_v into_o a_o strict_a amity_n with_o christ_n be_v it_o any_o shame_n or_o disgrace_n for_o human_a nature_n to_o be_v fetter_v and_o chain_v to_o christ_n the_o lord_n of_o glory_n will_v any_o thing_n render_v thou_o more_o happy_a than_o the_o eternal_a bless_a vision_n and_o fruition_n of_o the_o deity_n and_o be_v not_o this_o appendent_a to_o yea_o formal_o contain_v in_o friendship_n with_o christ_n 4._o christ_n mot._n 4._o from_o the_o effect_n of_o friendship_n with_o christ_n last_o to_o provoke_v our_o spirit_n to_o a_o entire_a election_n of_o christ_n as_o our_o friend_n let_v we_o consider_v a_o little_a the_o bless_a effect_n of_o such_o a_o election_n life_n 1._o divine_a life_n 1._o be_v not_o life_n a_o very_a eligible_a thing_n do_v not_o satan_n speak_v the_o truth_n when_o he_o say_v skin_n for_o skin_n and_o all_o that_o a_o man_n have_v for_o his_o life_n and_o be_v not_o the_o life_n of_o the_o soul_n by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o desirable_a than_o the_o life_n of_o the_o body_n by_o how_o much_o more_o excellent_a the_o soul_n be_v than_o the_o body_n now_o wherein_o consist_v the_o life_n of_o the_o soul_n but_o in_o friendship_n with_o christ_n as_o the_o life_n of_o the_o body_n consist_v in_o its_o union_n with_o the_o soul_n so_o do_v not_o the_o life_n of_o the_o soul_n consist_v in_o union_n with_o christ_n as_o its_o friend_n what_o be_v spiritual_a death_n but_o disunion_n from_o christ_n can_v there_o be_v a_o more_o natural_a uniform_a equal_a permanent_a excellent_a noble_a and_o perfect_a life_n than_o that_o which_o consist_v in_o conversation_n with_o christ_n our_o choice_a friend_n be_v not_o all_o other_o life_n though_o never_o so_o seem_o splendid_a and_o glorious_a but_o a_o dream_n and_o metaphor_n of_o life_n or_o rather_o a_o shadow_n of_o death_n if_o compare_v with_o this_o life_n yea_o do_v not_o this_o bring_v health_n out_o of_o sickness_n life_n out_o of_o death_n heaven_n out_o of_o hell_n 2._o strength_n 2._o strength_n wherein_o consist_v the_o vigour_n and_o strength_n of_o human_a nature_n but_o in_o election_n of_o and_o adhesion_n to_o christ_n as_o our_o friend_n do_v not_o all_o infirmity_n and_o imbecility_n of_o body_n spring_n from_o some_o dis-union_n obstruction_n or_o distance_n between_o the_o part_n and_o the_o whole_a and_o do_v not_o all_o our_o infirmity_n of_o soul_n arise_v from_o dis-union_n or_o distance_n from_o christ_n our_o head_n be_v not_o the_o soul_n most_o firm_a and_o strong_a when_o it_o adher_v most_o firm_o to_o christ_n its_o first_o principle_n 3._o honor._n 3._o honor._n what_o be_v true_a nobility_n honour_n and_o dignity_n but_o adhesion_n to_o and_o participation_n of_o the_o fountain_n of_o all_o honour_n now_o as_o the_o king_n be_v the_o fountain_n of_o honour_n in_o his_o kingdom_n so_o be_v not_o christ_n the_o fountain_n of_o honour_n in_o his_o kingdom_n and_o can_v there_o be_v a_o high_a piece_n of_o honour_n among_o subject_n than_o to_o be_v the_o king_n favourite_n and_o friend_n to_o have_v his_o eye_n and_o ear_n and_o power_n to_o command_v and_o be_v not_o this_o honour_n vouchsafe_v to_o all_o christ_n friend_n have_v they_o not_o his_o ear_n yea_o heart_n to_o command_n as_o c._n 6._o s._n 5._o 4._o liberty_n 4._o liberty_n wherein_o consist_v the_o formal_a idea_n of_o divine_a liberty_n but_o in_o a_o divine_a amplitude_n or_o enlargement_n of_o state_n and_o act_n arise_v from_o subjection_n to_o god_n and_o the_o use_n of_o all_o other_o thing_n in_o subordination_n to_o he_o and_o be_v not_o this_o the_o immediate_a and_o essential_a product_n of_o amity_n with_o christ_n as_o before_o c._n 6._o s._n 5._o 5._o riches_n 5._o riches_n what_o be_v riches_n but_o the_o affluence_n of_o many_o useful_a and_o precious_a good_n now_o if_o christ_n be_v your_o friend_n be_v not_o all_o thing_n you_o 1_o cor._n 3.22_o 23_o yea_o have_v not_o he_o a_o admirable_a faculty_n of_o spiritualize_a temporal_a mercy_n be_v not_o the_o very_a commun_n good_n of_o his_o friend_n sugar_a and_o water_v with_o special_a favour_n dip_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o do_v not_o this_o turn_n curse_n into_o blessing_n poverty_n into_o riches_n salt_n cross_n into_o sweet_a mercy_n whereas_o to_o such_o as_o be_v not_o friend_n of_o christ_n their_o best_a blessing_n be_v salt_v with_o the_o curse_n of_o god_n the_o sweet_a comfort_n want_v spirit_n and_o blood_n without_o christ_n but_o to_o such_o as_o be_v his_o friend_n there_o can_v be_v no_o want_n a_o uncovered_a tent_n a_o straw_n bed_n a_o pillow_n of_o stone_n a_o empty_a purse_n be_v great_a riches_n to_o such_o yea_o by_o elect_v christ_n for_o thy_o friend_n thou_o come_v to_o share_v in_o fountain-goodnes_n and_o be_v not_o all_o thing_n most_o pure_a most_o sweet_a and_o most_o copious_a in_o their_o fountain_n can_v he_o want_v any_o thing_n that_o be_v good_a who_o enjoy_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o see_v c._n 6._o s._n 5._o 6._o peace_n 6._o peace_n wherein_o consist_v true_a peace_n joy_n and_o comfort_n but_o in_o a_o sweet_a harmony_n uniformity_n order_n and_o agreement_n of_o all_o part_n and_o whence_o spring_v this_o harmony_n and_o agreement_n in_o the_o soul_n but_o from_o its_o firm_a adherence_n to_o christ_n as_o its_o friend_n 7._o interest_n 7._o interest_n what_o be_v the_o supreme_a interest_n of_o a_o rational_a creature_n but_o to_o use_v and_o refer_v all_o inferior_a concern_v to_o his_o last_o end_n and_o be_v not_o this_o also_o the_o immediate_a and_o proper_a issue_n of_o friendship_n with_o christ_n do_v any_o more_o effectual_o promote_v their_o supreme_a interest_n and_o last_o end_n than_o such_o as_o elect_a and_o adhere_v to_o christ_n as_o their_o best_a friend_n thus_o we_o see_v what_o demonstrative_a argument_n reason_n and_o motive_n there_o be_v to_o induce_v and_o provoke_v man_n unto_o a_o complete_a closure_n with_o christ_n as_o their_o friend_n and_o oh_o what_o a_o prodigious_a piece_n of_o folly_n be_v it_o after_o all_o this_o for_o man_n to_o persist_v in_o open_a enmity_n against_o or_o false_a friendship_n towards_o christ_n sect_n 3._o direction_n for_o such_o as_o be_v open_a enemy_n or_o hypocritick_n friend_n of_o christ_n to_o come_v to_o a_o cordial_a and_o complete_a friendship_n with_o he_o we_o proceed_v now_o to_o the_o second_o part_n of_o this_o use_n christ_n divection_n for_o attain_v to_o a_o complete_a friendship_n with_o christ_n namely_o the_o direction_n for_o attain_v unto_o a_o complete_a amity_n with_o christ_n be_v thou_o firm_o resolve_v or_o well_o incline_v to_o become_v a_o friend_n of_o christ_n but_o be_v thou_o indeed_o and_o in_o good_a earnest_n dispose_v
gain_v courage_n by_o all_o her_o scoff_n and_o cry_v out_o if_o this_o be_v to_o be_v vile_a i_o will_v be_v more_o vile_a yet_o true_a friendship_n gain_v force_v and_o strength_n by_o opposition_n the_o more_o its_o conformity_n to_o christ_n be_v oppose_v the_o more_o zealous_a and_o active_a be_v it_o therein_o again_o do_v christ_n take_v upon_o he_o the_o form_n of_o a_o servant_n humble_a himself_o and_o become_v obedient_a even_o to_o the_o death_n o_o then_o how_o lowly_a how_o humble_o how_o self-abased_o shall_v the_o friend_n of_o christ_n walk_v 2.5_o phil._n 2.5_o this_o be_v well_o improve_v by_o paul_n phil._n 2.5_o 6_o 7_o 8._o have_v v._n 3_o 4._o exhort_v they_o to_o humility_n and_o self-denial_n he_o bring_v christ_n humility_n and_o self-denial_n as_o a_o copy_n and_o pattern_n v._o 5._o let_v this_o mind_n be_v in_o you_o which_o be_v also_o in_o christ_n jesus_n etc._n etc._n as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v be_v christ_n so_o humble_a and_o be_v it_o not_o a_o shame_n that_o christian_n who_o profess_v friendship_n with_o he_o shall_v be_v so_o stately_a so_o proud_a it_o be_v a_o good_a observation_n of_o divine_n that_o christ_n human_a nature_n though_o clothe_v with_o so_o much_o glory_n be_v the_o humble_a creature_n that_o ever_o be_v o_o then_o what_o a_o prodigious_a thing_n be_v it_o that_o our_o black_a nature_n which_o be_v clothe_v with_o so_o much_o deformity_n and_o stuff_v out_o with_o so_o much_o malignity_n and_o venom_n of_o sin_n shall_v be_v so_o proud_a as_o they_o be_v think_v on_o this_o and_o ever_o more_o abhor_v pride_n so_o for_o the_o other_o part_n of_o christian_a conversation_n the_o exemple_n of_o christ_n shall_v be_v the_o sovereign_n motive_n as_o also_o a_o universal_a idea_n and_o copy_n of_o his_o friend_n imitation_n will_v the_o friend_n of_o christ_n when_o they_o be_v about_o any_o irregular_a undertakement_n consider_v will_v christ_n if_o he_o be_v on_o earth_n do_v so_o and_o so_o be_v this_o become_v the_o dignity_n of_o that_o amity_n i_o profess_v towards_o christ_n will_v this_o please_v my_o lord_n do_v i_o herein_o imitate_v that_o copy_n and_o pattern_n he_o have_v set_v i_o i_o say_v will_v the_o friend_n of_o christ_n thus_o reason_n and_o argue_v themselves_o into_o a_o imitation_n of_o and_o conformity_n to_o christ_n how_o harmonious_a beautiful_a visible_a flourish_a and_o efficacious_a will_v their_o friendship_n be_v but_o ah_o alas_o how_o far_o short_a of_o conformity_n to_o and_o imitation_n of_o the_o life_n of_o christ_n that_o admirable_a and_o most_o glorious_a miroir_n of_o sanctity_n do_v many_o profess_a friend_n of_o christ_n come_v yea_o have_v not_o the_o best_a of_o christ_n friend_n great_a cause_n to_o be_v daily_o humble_v and_o ashamed_a of_o their_o defect_n as_o to_o this_o piece_n of_o divine_a conformity_n sect_n 6._o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n shall_v aspire_v after_o more_o intimate_a union_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n in_o all_o ordinance_n duty_n providential_a occurrence_n and_o creature-injoyments_a 6._o christ_n 6._o advice_n for_o union_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n the_o friend_n of_o christ_n shall_v aspire_v after_o and_o contend_v for_o a_o more_o intimatt_n deep_a union_n and_o communion_n with_o christ_n in_o all_o ordinance_n duty_n providential_a occurrence_n and_o creature-injoyments_a this_o admonition_n and_o advice_n be_v of_o grand_a moment_n in_o order_n to_o the_o fulfil_n and_o live_v up_o to_o the_o relation_n and_o dignity_n of_o friendship_n with_o christ_n for_o all_o friendship_n imply_v union_n and_o communion_n and_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o strict_a spiritual_a and_o deep_a this_o union_n and_o communion_n be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o perfect_a will_v the_o friendship_n be_v where_o god_n implant_v a_o gracious_a sympathy_n and_o strict_a amity_n betwixt_o two_o soul_n there_o be_v such_o a_o intimate_a union_n and_o communion_n as_o that_o no_o separation_n or_o distance_n of_o place_n or_o time_n can_v make_v a_o breach_n thereon_o but_o it_o be_v still_o maintain_v in_o all_o absence_n of_o the_o person_n by_o mean_n invisible_a as_o much_o as_o or_o more_o than_o other_o union_n and_o communion_n be_v by_o the_o most_o potent_a and_o visible_a mean_n and_o thence_o moses_n deut._n 13.6_o make_v the_o union_n of_o friend_n to_o be_v the_o high_a among_o man_n even_o as_o that_o with_o thy_o own_o soul_n but_o now_o the_o union_n and_o communion_n which_o be_v between_o christ_n and_o his_o friend_n be_v of_o a_o high_a nature_n we_o shall_v speak_v 1._o christ_n 1._o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n shall_v confirm_v and_o improve_v their_o union_n with_o christ_n of_o that_o union_n with_o christ_n which_o his_o friend_n ought_v daily_o to_o aspire_v after_o all_o true_a friendship_n whether_o natural_a civil_a or_o divine_a consist_v in_o union_n or_o rather_o unity_n and_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o intimate_a and_o deep_a the_o union_n or_o unity_n be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o inviolable_a and_o complete_a be_v the_o friendship_n 91._o friendship_n a_o dionysio_n dicitur_fw-la quod_fw-la amor_fw-la est_fw-la unitiva_fw-la virtus_fw-la quanto_fw-la ergo_fw-la id_fw-la unde_fw-la amans_fw-la est_fw-la unâ—m_fw-la cum_fw-la amato_fw-la est_fw-la majus_fw-la tanto_fw-la est_fw-la amor_fw-la intersior_fw-la &_o rursus_fw-la quanto_fw-la id_fw-la ex_fw-la quo_fw-la est_fw-la unio_fw-la est_fw-la magis_fw-la intimum_fw-la amanti_fw-la tanto_fw-la amor_fw-la est_fw-la firmior_fw-la aquinas_n contra_fw-la gent._n l._n 1._o c._n 91._o in_o civil_a amity_n that_o between_o conjugal_a relation_n be_v most_o entire_a and_o inseparable_a till_o death_n make_v a_o breach_n because_o the_o union_n or_o unity_n between_o man_n and_o wife_n be_v most_o intimate_a for_o these_o be_v by_o the_o law_n of_o their_o creation_n one_o flesh_n gen._n 2.23_o ephes_n 5.28_o hence_o christ_n make_v use_v of_o this_o conjugal_a amity_n as_o a_o symbolic_a image_n or_o lively_a shadow_n of_o that_o conjugal_a union_n and_o friendship_n which_o be_v between_o himself_o and_o his_o church_n ephes_n 5.32_o and_o indeed_o all_o other_o union_n in_o the_o world_n be_v but_o metaphor_n and_o shadow_n if_o compare_v with_o this_o union_n between_o christ_n and_o his_o friend_n hence_o therefore_o it_o necessary_o follow_v that_o the_o more_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n confirm_v and_o improve_v this_o their_o conjugal_a union_n with_o christ_n the_o better_a friend_n to_o he_o will_v they_o approve_v themselves_o this_o amicable_a union_n with_o christ_n admit_v of_o a_o great_a latitude_n both_o of_o kind_n and_n degree_n wherein_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n ought_v to_o make_v daily_o procedure_v in_o order_n to_o the_o improvement_n of_o their_o amity_n with_o christ_n 1._o union_n 1._o relative_n union_n the_o friend_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o relative_n union_n with_o christ_n as_o he_o be_v their_o public_a representative_a surety_n advocate_n commun_v head_n and_o husband_n this_o relative_n union_n they_o ought_v daily_o to_o improve_v in_o order_n to_o the_o justication_n of_o their_o person_n and_o sanctification_n of_o their_o nature_n do_v christ_n as_o a_o public_a person_n make_v himself_o a_o piaculum_fw-la and_o anathema_n or_o curse_v for_o his_o friend_n o_o then_o how_o shall_v they_o make_v themselves_o bless_v in_o he_o do_v he_o as_o their_o surety_n die_v for_o they_o shall_v not_o they_o then_o as_o poor_a bankrupt_n live_v in_o and_o upon_o he_o be_v not_o this_o paul_n ambition_n and_o life_n phil._n 3.9_o 10_o 2._o christ_n 2._o habitual_a union_n with_o christ_n the_o friend_n of_o christ_n have_v a_o absolute_a and_o positive_a union_n with_o christ_n which_o be_v either_o habitual_a or_o actual_a 1._o habitual_a union_n with_o christ_n arise_v from_o the_o inhabitation_n of_o the_o spirit_n and_o those_o divine_a habit_n of_o grace_n infuse_v by_o he_o now_o this_o habitual_a union_n be_v improve_v by_o a_o singular_a indulgent_a regard_n to_o the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n with_o immediate_a absolute_a total_a incessant_a dependence_n on_o he_o for_o all_o grace_n do_v the_o spirit_n of_o christ_n inhabit_v and_o take_v up_o his_o abode_n in_o the_o heart_n of_o christ_n friend_n o_o what_o a_o tender_a regard_n than_o shall_v these_o have_v to_o such_o a_o inmate_n how_o delicate_o and_o friendly_a shall_v they_o treat_v such_o a_o guest_n 2._o union_n 2._o actual_a union_n as_o for_o actual_a union_n with_o christ_n it_o be_v either_o intellectual_a or_o moral_a 1._o intellectual_a 1._o intellectual_a intellectual_a union_n with_o christ_n consist_v in_o those_o glorious_a idea_n or_o notion_n and_o image_n of_o christ_n whether_o contemplative_a or_o active_a which_o be_v impress_v on_o the_o mind_n for_o look_v as_o the_o eye_n have_v a_o ideal_o union_n with_o the_o sun_n or_o any_o other_o object_n by_o have_v its_o image_n impress_v on_o itself_o just_o so_o the_o believe_a mind_n have_v a_o ideal_o