it_o be_v far_o otherwise_o with_o those_o who_o real_o choose_v christ_n as_o their_o friend_n judgement_n what_o be_v the_o posture_n of_o christ_n sincere_a friend_n towards_o sin_n 1._o as_o to_o their_o judgement_n 1._o as_o to_o their_o judgement_n they_o ha'nt_v only_a a_o conviction_n but_o also_o a_o reprobation_n of_o sin_n they_o see_v sin_n not_o in_o the_o devil_n minorate_n glass_n but_o in_o the_o magnify_v glass_n of_o god_n law_n they_o contemplate_v sin_n not_o only_o in_o the_o notion_n and_o idea_n but_o real_o and_o intuitive_o they_o see_v the_o thing_n itself_o and_o that_o in_o its_o monstrous_a ugly_a shape_n and_o aggravation_n whence_o sin_n appear_v to_o they_o exceed_o sinful_a rom._n 7.13_o 〈◊〉_d rom._n 7.13_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d they_o see_v in_o sin_n all_o moral_a and_o natural_a evil_n all_o weakness_n poverty_n servitude_n shame_n reproach_n deformity_n and_o debasement_n of_o human_a nature_n and_o these_o their_o conviction_n of_o sin_n be_v real_a spiritual_a deep_a feel_v and_o constant_a their_o eye_n lid_n be_v keep_v open_a so_o that_o fresh_a light_n and_o conviction_n of_o sin_n break_v in_o every_o day_n more_o than_o other_o as_o it_o be_v with_o asaph_n psal_n 77.4_o thou_o hold_v my_o eye_n wake_v conscience_n 2._o as_o to_o their_o conscience_n 2._o the_o true_a friend_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o see_v sin_n in_o its_o colour_n but_o also_o feel_v the_o weight_n of_o it_o though_o perhaps_o they_o have_v not_o the_o melt_a sense_n of_o christ_n love_n yet_o they_o have_v the_o bitter_a sense_n of_o sin_n it_o be_v true_a they_o feel_v not_o always_o the_o working_n of_o their_o friendship_n to_o christ_n yet_o they_o feel_v the_o burden_n of_o their_o provocation_n against_o christ_n which_o be_v to_o they_o the_o worst_a of_o hell_n they_o find_v more_o malignity_n and_o bondage_n in_o the_o least_o moral_a evil_n of_o do_v than_o in_o the_o great_a natural_a evil_a of_o suffer_v wilâ—_n 3._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d than_o wilâ—_n 3._o hence_o the_o loyal_a friend_n of_o christ_n have_v the_o bend_v of_o his_o heart_n strong_o set_v against_o sin_n his_o displeasure_n against_o sin_n boil_v up_o to_o a_o high_a degree_n of_o hatred_n revenge_n and_o antipathy_n which_o be_v the_o most_o deep_a and_o root_v emnitie_n that_o which_o spring_v from_o a_o instinct_n or_o law_n of_o nature_n and_o vent_v itself_o against_o the_o whole_a kind_n so_o great_a be_v his_o hatred_n against_o sin_n psal_n 79.10_o prov._n 8.13_o yea_o he_o hate_v the_o very_a sin_n he_o commit_v and_o love_v the_o good_a he_o omit_v rom._n 7.15_o 16._o he_o have_v also_o a_o spring_n of_o godly_a sorrow_n in_o his_o heart_n he_o be_v trouble_v and_o grieve_v for_o sin_n not_o only_o because_o it_o grieve_v and_o trouble_v his_o conscience_n but_o also_o because_o his_o best_a friend_n christ_n be_v grieve_v and_o wound_v thereby_o his_o heart_n bleed_v for_o sin_n because_o it_o cause_v the_o heart_n of_o his_o lord_n to_o bleed_v to_o death_n his_o spirit_n be_v break_v for_o sin_n because_o the_o law_n of_o his_o god_n be_v break_v thereby_o his_o sorrow_n for_o sin_n be_v very_o fruit-bearing_a 2_o cor._n 7.9_o 10._o 4._o again_o the_o real_a friend_n of_o christ_n do_v not_o only_o hate_v and_o mourn_v for_o sin_n but_o also_o fight_v the_o lord_n battle_n against_o sin_n his_o heart_n take_v part_n with_o god_n against_o sin_n even_o when_o his_o member_n be_v engage_v for_o sin_n against_o god_n rom._n 7.15_o 16_o 19_o he_o fight_v against_o sin_n not_o with_o carnal_a or_o legal_a but_o with_o evangelic_n and_o spiritual_a weapon_n 2_o cor._n 10.4_o for_o the_o weapon_n of_o our_o warfare_n be_v not_o carnal_a but_o mighty_a etc._n etc._n he_o take_v unto_o he_o the_o whole_a armour_n of_o god_n ephes_n 6.13_o 14_o etc._n etc._n he_o take_v the_o sword_n of_o the_o spirit_n whereby_o he_o let_v forth_o the_o heartblood_n of_o sin_n rom._n 8.13_o hâ—_n make_v use_v of_o the_o shield_n of_o faith_n dip_v in_o the_o blood_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v very_o efficacious_a to_o keep_v off_o the_o fiery_a dart_n of_o lust_n heb._n 9.14_o neither_o be_v his_o conflict_n against_o sin_n at_o a_o distance_n only_o but_o very_o intimate_a and_o close_a in_o the_o same_o faculty_n divine_a light_n against_o carnal_a wisdom_n love_v to_o christ_n against_o sinful_a lust_n godly_a sorrow_n against_o carnal_a grief_n these_o fight_n hand_n to_o hand_n in_o the_o mind_n will_n and_o affection_n neither_o do_v he_o fight_v against_o grosser_n sin_n only_o but_o also_o against_o more_o spiritual_a refine_a lust_n as_o spiritual_a pride_n unbelief_n self-love_n hypocrisy_n carnal_a confidence_n presumption_n formality_n in_o duty_n hard-heartednes_a carnal_a seouritie_n and_o spiritual_a sloth_n moreover_o he_o have_v more_o vehement_a conflict_n with_o his_o belove_a darling_n lust_n such_o sin_n as_o be_v most_o flesh-pleasing_a or_o profitable_a most_o presume_a and_o domineer_a psal_n 19.13_o which_o do_v more_o easy_o beset_v he_o and_o for_o which_o corrupt_a nature_n do_v most_o cater_n and_o provide_v but_o above_o all_o sin_n he_o be_v most_o vex_v with_o and_o therefore_o most_o vehement_o set_v against_o his_o corrupt_a nature_n which_o be_v the_o heart_n the_o curse_a root_n of_o bitterness_n the_o poison_a fountain_n that_o give_v life_n malignity_n and_o venom_n to_o all_o other_o sin_n he_o strike_v not_o only_o at_o the_o branch_n but_o lay_v the_o axe_n to_o this_o root_n of_o sin_n he_o endeavour_v not_o only_o to_o purge_v the_o stream_n but_o also_o to_o sweeten_v the_o fountain_n his_o main_a work_n be_v not_o only_o to_o cure_v the_o botch_n and_o break_n forth_o of_o sin_n but_o to_o drive_v the_o malignity_n from_o the_o heart_n though_o sin_n may_v gain_v some_o loge_v in_o his_o extern_a member_n yet_o he_o will_v allow_v it_o no_o quiet_a abode_n in_o the_o heart_n rom._n 7.22_o 23._o in_o short_a the_o sincere_a friend_n of_o christ_n albeit_o he_o may_v be_v oft_o foil_v by_o sin_n yet_o he_o rise_v again_o yea_o he_o fall_v forward_o and_o gain_v ground_n by_o his_o fall_n his_o be_v foil_v by_o sin_n do_v end_n in_o his_o great_a victory_n over_o sin_n in_o that_o it_o make_v he_o more_o humble_a self-denying_a believe_v etc._n etc._n so_o that_o oft_o when_o the_o act_n of_o sin_n be_v most_o violent_a and_o strong_a the_o dominion_n of_o sin_n be_v most_o impotent_a and_o weak_a as_o it_o be_v with_o nature_n in_o die_a pang_n he_o even_o then_o overcome_v most_o when_o he_o seem_v most_o overcome_v by_o sin_n sin_n be_v not_o only_o asleep_a or_o sick_a but_o dead_a in_o he_o and_o the_o death_n of_o sin_n be_v the_o life_n of_o his_o friendship_n with_o christ_n his_o reprobation_n of_o sin_n end_n in_o the_o election_n of_o christ_n heb._n 6.1_o these_o be_v the_o posture_n of_o christ_n friend_n towards_o sin_n sect_n 3._o the_o election_n of_o and_o amity_n with_o christ_n presuppose_v the_o renunciation_n of_o irregular_a self_n 2._o self_n 2._o the_o election_n of_o christ_n presuppose_v a_o renunciation_n of_o irregular_a self_n another_o great_a corrival_n which_o sue_v for_o a_o interest_n in_o that_o conjugal_a amity_n and_o friendship_n which_o be_v due_a to_o christ_n alone_o be_v self_n this_o be_v a_o more_o secret_a and_o sly_a competitor_n with_o christ_n but_o by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o dangerous_a self_n be_v a_o more_o mask_a enemy_n which_o oft_o carry_v the_o face_n of_o a_o friend_n not_o only_o towards_o the_o soul_n but_o towards_o christ_n also_o and_o yet_o there_o be_v not_o a_o great_a enemy_n in_o the_o world_n either_o to_o christ_n or_o the_o soul_n than_o irregular_a inordinate_a and_o lawless_a self_n it_o be_v therefore_o great_a folly_n yea_o madness_n to_o imagine_v there_o can_v be_v any_o true_a election_n of_o and_o amity_n with_o christ_n unless_o there_o be_v first_o a_o divoroe_v from_o and_o abjuration_n of_o self_n so_o far_o as_o it_o stand_v in_o opposition_n to_o and_o competition_n with_o christ_n this_o be_v evident_a even_o from_o the_o universal_a idea_n or_o general_a nature_n of_o friendship_n friendship_n self-denial_n essential_a to_o all_o friendship_n the_o philosopher_n can_v tell_v we_o that_o â—_o that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d arist_n l._n 4._o c._n â—_o they_o be_v avaricious_a sordid_a person_n who_o seek_v to_o gain_v by_o their_o friend_n to_o who_o they_o ought_v to_o give_v i._n e._n they_o who_o make_v self_n the_o only_a measure_n of_o their_o friendship_n be_v good_a friend_n to_o none_o but_o themselves_o for_o you_o may_v expect_v friendship_n from_o they_o no_o long_o than_o they_o may_v expect_v advantage_n and_o profit_n from_o you_o he_o that_o regard_v himself_o only_o and_o convert_v all_o his_o thought_n and_o study_n to_o his_o own_o
what_o make_v abraham_n so_o eminent_a for_o friendship_n with_o god_n as_o that_o he_o be_v style_v with_o a_o emphase_n or_o accent_n the_o friend_n of_o god_n be_v it_o not_o his_o self-abnegation_a self-denial_n abraham_n friendship_n with_o god_n found_v on_o self-denial_n that_o lay_v so_o good_a a_o foundation_n for_o his_o so_o great_a amity_n with_o god_n be_v not_o all_o the_o great_a and_o noble_a exploit_n of_o abraham_n friendship_n with_o god_n found_v on_o self-denial_n his_o first_o great_a act_n of_o friendship_n towards_o god_n for_o which_o he_o be_v style_v esa_n 41.2_o 8._o the_o friend_n of_o god_n consist_v in_o his_o forsake_v chaldea_n his_o near_a relation_n and_o eye-pleasing_a delight_n to_o follow_v god_n he_o know_v not_o whither_o as_o a_o pilgrim_n all_o his_o day_n be_v not_o this_o a_o high_a piece_n of_o self-abjuration_n again_o the_o second_o great_a act_n of_o friendship_n for_o which_o he_o be_v recognize_v and_o open_o proclaim_v the_o friend_n of_o god_n james_n 2.23_o be_v his_o offering_n up_o his_o only_a son_n isaac_n and_o o_o what_o a_o world_n of_o self-denial_n be_v there_o in_o this_o act_n i_o may_v run_v through_o that_o little_a book_n of_o martyr_n 11._o other_o scripture-instance_n heb._n 11._o or_o white_a rol_n of_o christ_n confessor_n and_o friend_n hebrew_n 11._o and_o discover_v unto_o you_o what_o visible_a vein_n of_o self-denial_n run_v through_o all_o their_o friendship_n towards_o god_n for_o faith_n which_o be_v the_o soul_n and_o life_n of_o their_o friendship_n be_v the_o great_a self-denier_n in_o the_o world_n do_v but_o in_o your_o meditation_n which_o be_v too_o large_a a_o theme_n for_o i_o run_v over_o those_o noble_a friend_n of_o christ_n there_o mention_v even_o from_o abel_n to_o the_o end_n of_o the_o chapter_n and_o you_o will_v see_v pure_a and_o high_a strain_n of_o self-denial_n which_o be_v the_o chief_a corner_n stone_n of_o their_o confidence_n in_o and_o friendship_n with_o god_n in_o christ_n again_o let_v we_o contemplate_v christ_n new_a testament_n friend_n and_o we_o shall_v find_v much_o of_o self-renunciation_n at_o the_o bottom_n of_o all_o their_o amity_n with_o christ_n be_v not_o john_n baptist_n a_o rare_a self-denial_n john_n baptist_n friendship_n with_o christ_n ground_v on_o self-denial_n choice_a friend_n of_o christ_n and_o who_o more_o eminent_a for_o self-denial_n than_o he_o especial_o when_o it_o come_v it_o come_v to_o a_o competition_n with_o christ_n 3.11_o mat._n 3.11_o so_o mat._n 3.11_o he_o confess_v he_o be_v not_o worthy_a to_o bear_v christs_n shoe_n 30._o joh._n 3_o 26_o 30._o but_o more_o particular_o john_n 3.26_o 30._o v._n 26._o some_o of_o john_n disciple_n seem_v much_o offend_v that_o christ_n have_v more_o disciple_n than_o he_o whereupon_o john_n v._o 27_o 28._o rebuke_n they_o and_o v._o 29._o declare_v solemn_o that_o for_o his_o part_n he_o be_v but_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n the_o bridegroom_n and_o therefore_o it_o be_v joy_n enough_o for_o he_o to_o hear_v his_o voice_n yea_o add_v he_o v._o 30._o he_o must_v increase_v but_o i_o must_v decrease_v as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v let_v my_o name_n lie_v in_o the_o dust_n and_o rot_v sobeit_v that_o his_o name_n be_v exalt_v and_o make_v glorious_a let_v i_o be_v disgrace_v and_o despise_v provide_v that_o he_o be_v dignify_v and_o extol_v let_v my_o root_n wither_v and_o dry_v away_o so_o that_o his_o branch_n may_v flourish_v let_v my_o sun_n set_v and_o be_v turn_v into_o a_o black_a coal_n that_o his_o sun_n may_v shine_v forth_o more_o bright_o not_o my_o kingdom_n but_o his_o kingdom_n come_v let_v i_o be_v nothing_o so_o that_o he_o may_v be_v all_o thing_n these_o be_v noble_a strain_n of_o self-denying_a friendship_n i_o may_v show_v you_o the_o like_a in_o other_o evangelic_n friend_n of_o christ_n as_o the_o thief_n on_o the_o cross_n luk._n 23.42_o and_o paul_n who_o rom._n 9.3_o seem_v content_a to_o suffer_v a_o innocent_a and_o sinless_a hell_n for_o the_o interest_n of_o his_o lord_n and_o every_o where_o when_o he_o speak_v of_o himself_o he_o draw_v a_o veil_n over_o his_o own_o excellence_n that_o so_o christ_n glory_n may_v shine_v forth_o more_o conspicuous_o as_o gal._n 2.20_o yet_o not_o i_o but_o christ_n live_v in_o i_o that_o modest_a corrective_a not_o i_o argue_v much_o self-denying_a friendship_n but_o i_o must_v contract_v by_o these_o and_o the_o like_a exemplification_n and_o instance_n we_o see_v what_o a_o essential_a and_o fundamental_a connexion_n there_o be_v betwixt_o self-denial_n and_o friendship_n with_o christ_n i_o shall_v close_v this_o particular_a with_o a_o observation_n of_o the_o philosopher_n 1._o philosopher_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d arist_n rhet._n l._n 1._o c._n 1._o who_o note_n that_o young_a man_n usual_o be_v more_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d friendly_a and_o sociable_a than_o other_o age_n because_o they_o rejoice_v in_o society_n and_o mind_v not_o their_o profit_n or_o self-interest_n as_o friend_n ought_v not_o the_o reason_n hold_v good_a in_o all_o friendship_n and_o the_o observation_n very_o far_o in_o friendship_n among_o man_n because_o the_o elder_a man_n grow_v usual_o if_o they_o be_v not_o clothe_v with_o a_o divine_a nature_n the_o more_o selfish_a they_o be_v but_o it_o be_v quite_o contrary_a in_o divine_a friendship_n with_o christ_n young_a christian_n though_o they_o oft_o have_v the_o large_a affection_n for_o christ_n yet_o have_v they_o the_o least_o friendship_n towards_o he_o and_o the_o reason_n be_v because_o there_o be_v much_o of_o self_n in_o all_o their_o affection_n and_o duty_n they_o mind_v more_o what_o they_o receive_v from_o christ_n than_o what_o they_o give_v unto_o he_o they_o love_v christ_n in_o themselves_o more_o than_o themselves_o in_o christ_n whereas_o grow_v and_o mature_a christian_n though_o perhaps_o their_o affection_n and_o friendship_n to_o christ_n be_v not_o so_o juicy_a and_o sappy_a yet_o be_v they_o more_o spiritual_a and_o less_o selfish_a they_o love_v christ_n now_o more_o for_o what_o good_a be_v in_o himself_o than_o for_o what_o good_a they_o receive_v from_o he_o and_o whereas_o at_o first_o they_o love_v christ_n for_o themselves_o they_o now_o love_v themselves_o in_o and_o for_o christ_n the_o more_o they_o be_v acquaint_v with_o christ_n the_o more_o they_o love_v he_o for_o himself_o which_o be_v the_o pure_a strain_n of_o friendship_n thus_o we_o see_v how_o essential_a self-denial_n be_v both_o to_o the_o be_v and_o perfection_n of_o all_o friendship_n and_o particular_o of_o divine_a sect_n 4._o how_o far_o the_o world_n must_v be_v reprobate_v in_o order_n to_o the_o election_n of_o christ_n as_o our_o friend_n 3._o friend_n how_o far_o the_o world_n be_v to_o be_v reject_v in_o order_n to_o the_o election_n of_o christ_n as_o our_o friend_n we_o have_v finish_v the_o two_o great_a intern_a competitor_n of_o christ_n sin_n and_o self_n we_o now_o proceed_v to_o the_o extern_a corrival_n of_o christ_n which_o be_v the_o world_n and_o the_o law_n these_o be_v not_o formal_o and_o in_o themselves_o enemy_n to_o christ_n but_o only_o objective_o and_o indirect_o as_o they_o by_o their_o frown_n or_o smile_n inveigle_v and_o entice_v the_o heart_n away_o from_o christ_n we_o shall_v therefore_o examine_v they_o more_o cursory_o and_o begin_v with_o the_o world_n which_o be_v so_o far_o to_o be_v reject_v as_o it_o stand_v in_o opposition_n to_o or_o competition_n with_o christ_n the_o world_n have_v a_o double_a face_n the_o one_o smile_v and_o the_o other_o frown_v by_o the_o former_a it_o endeavour_v to_o allure_v by_o the_o latter_a it_o strive_v to_o terrify_v the_o soul_n from_o christ_n in_o both_o these_o respect_v the_o world_n must_v be_v deny_v though_o principal_o as_o to_o the_o former_a for_o generous_a spirit_n be_v soon_o overcome_v by_o the_o smile_n than_o by_o the_o frown_n of_o the_o world_n world_n 1._o the_o allurement_n of_o the_o world_n as_o for_o the_o allurement_n and_o blandissement_n of_o the_o world_n they_o be_v very_a bewitch_a and_o heart-inveigling_a thing_n all_o thing_n in_o excess_n be_v hurtful_a but_o the_o intemperance_n of_o prosperity_n be_v most_o dangerous_a seneca_n dangerous_a magnam_fw-la so_o turam_fw-la magnus_fw-la animus_n decet_fw-la qui_fw-la risi_fw-la se_fw-la ad_fw-la illam_fw-la extulit_fw-la &_o altior_fw-la stetiâ—_n illam_fw-la quoquâ—_n infra_fw-la terram_fw-la deduâ—it_fw-la seneca_n he_o need_v have_v a_o great_a measure_n of_o grace_n who_o have_v great_a worldly_a enjoyment_n for_o if_o his_o heart_n be_v not_o much_o above_o they_o with_o god_n he_o will_v be_v soon_o bring_v under_o and_o make_v a_o slave_n by_o they_o the_o world_n albeit_o it_o promise_v fair_a be_v very_o faithless_a and_o deceitful_a it_o usual_o then_o deceive_v we_o most_o when_o we_o most_o love_n or_o trust_v it_o nothing_o
as_o well_o as_o his_o reward_n chap._n v._o that_o grand_a case_n how_o far_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n may_v regard_v themselves_o state_v both_o in_o the_o negative_a and_o affirmative_a sect_n 1._o christ_n must_v be_v elect_v for_o himself_o to_o make_v up_o a_o complete_a constitution_n of_o christ_n himself_o christ_n must_v be_v choose_v for_o himself_o as_o the_o object_n of_o the_o saint_n amity_n it_o be_v requisite_a not_o only_o that_o whole_a christ_n be_v elect_v but_o also_o that_o he_o be_v elect_v for_o himself_o this_o indeed_o seem_v the_o most_o essential_a and_o fundamental_a part_n or_o the_o formal_a idea_n and_o constitutive_a reason_n of_o all_o true_a friendship_n that_o our_o friend_n be_v choose_v 4._o choose_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d arist_n rhet._n l._n 2._o c._n 4._o for_o himself_o without_o this_o qualification_n all_o friendship_n even_o among_o man_n as_o man_n be_v repute_v by_o the_o wise_a heathen_n but_o as_o spurious_a and_o bastard_n that_o which_o will_v soon_o when_o occasion_n serve_v degenerate_a into_o secret_a dislike_n if_o not_o open_a enmity_n thence_o the_o philosopher_n give_v this_o idea_n or_o definition_n of_o a_o true_a friend_n 27._o friend_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d arist_n rhet._n pag._n 27._o that_o he_o be_v such_o a_o one_o as_o serious_o wish_v and_o studious_o endeavour_v the_o good_a of_o his_o friend_n for_o his_o friend_n sake_n though_o this_o idea_n of_o friendship_n may_v possible_o prove_v too_o narrow_a for_o the_o saint_n amity_n with_o christ_n yet_o thus_o far_o it_o hold_v good_a that_o christ_n must_v be_v desire_v for_o himself_o for_o friendship_n with_o christ_n must_v be_v take_v up_o not_o upon_o contingent_a occasion_n or_o commun_v ground_n but_o upon_o immediate_a reason_n and_o proper_a motive_n arise_v from_o a_o apprehension_n of_o christ_n special_a excellence_n a_o heathen_a can_v say_v to_o his_o friend_n alcib_n friend_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d socrates_n ad_fw-la alcibiad_n plat._n alcib_n i_o be_o only_o a_o lover_n of_o thyself_o other_o be_v lover_n of_o thy_o good_a thing_n how_o much_o more_o shall_v the_o friend_n of_o christ_n bespeak_v he_o their_o best_a friend_n in_o such_o language_n certain_o that_o must_v needs_o be_v the_o most_o pure_a and_o noble_a amity_n which_o be_v leave_v interest_v and_o most_o pure_o carry_v out_o to_o christ_n for_o himself_o the_o less_o mixture_n of_o self_n and_o carnal_a respect_n there_o be_v in_o any_o friendship_n he_o the_o more_o pure_a respect_n we_o have_v to_o christ_n for_o himself_o the_o more_o perfect_a be_v our_o friendship_n to_o he_o whether_o human_a or_o divine_a the_o more_o it_o terminate_v and_o centre_n on_o our_o friend_n for_o himself_o and_o the_o more_o the_o heart_n terminate_v and_o centre_n on_o its_o friend_n for_o himself_o the_o more_o it_o correspond_v or_o answer_v unto_o the_o universal_a and_o most_o perfect_a idea_n of_o human_a and_o divine_a amity_n this_o the_o poor_a heathen_n see_v so_o much_o beauty_n and_o glory_n in_o as_o that_o they_o affect_v nothing_o more_o than_o to_o seem_v thus_o generous_a in_o elect_v and_o love_v their_o friend_n for_o himself_o so_o luc._n so_o attalus_n philosophus_fw-la diâ—ere_fw-la olâ—bat_fw-la jucundius_fw-la esse_fw-la amicum_fw-la sacere_fw-la quà m_fw-la habere_fw-la sen._n ad_fw-la luc._n attalus_n the_o philosopher_n say_v that_o it_o be_v more_o pleasant_a to_o make_v a_o friend_n i._n e._n by_o love_n and_o kindness_n express_v to_o he_o than_o to_o have_v one_o i.e._n for_o our_o use_n and_o benefit_n and_o the_o moralist_n give_v we_o this_o general_a character_n of_o his_o wise_a man_n 9_o man_n seneca_n ad_fw-la luc._n epist_n 9_o that_o albeit_o he_o be_v content_a with_o himself_o yet_o be_v desire_n to_o have_v a_o friend_n be_v it_o only_o for_o this_o that_o he_o may_v exercise_v friendship_n that_o so_o a_o virtue_n of_o such_o excellent_a use_n may_v not_o lie_v useless_a why_o add_v he_o do_v i_o elect_v a_o friend_n that_o i_o may_v have_v one_o for_o who_o i_o can_v die_v such_o pure_a and_o disinteressed_n strain_v of_o divine_a amity_n the_o friend_n of_o christ_n shall_v aim_v at_o and_o endeavour_v after_o towards_o christ_n for_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o they_o intend_v love_n himself_o what_o it_o be_v to_o elect_v christ_n for_o himself_o desire_v hope_v for_o and_o delight_n in_o christ_n for_o himself_o by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o pure_a noble_a generous_a divine_a and_o inviolable_a be_v their_o friendship_n towards_o he_o now_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n may_v be_v say_v to_o elect_v he_o for_o himself_o when_o he_o himself_o give_v rest_n and_o satisfaction_n to_o their_o soul_n in_o the_o want_n and_o enjoyment_n of_o all_o thing_n for_o the_o first_o principle_n or_o element_n of_o elect_v christ_n for_o himself_o consist_v in_o see_v all_o our_o satisfaction_n and_o rest_n lay_v up_o in_o he_o and_o not_o in_o ourselves_o or_o any_o thing_n else_o where_o ever_o the_o heart_n find_v complete_a rest_n that_o it_o live_v on_o love_n and_o enjoy_v for_o itself_o and_o the_o deprivement_n of_o that_o be_v death_n and_o hell_n unto_o it_o again_o what_o we_o elect_v for_o itself_o that_o we_o make_v our_o last_o end_n and_o best_a good_a now_o the_o last_o end_n and_o choice_a good_a be_v the_o first_o priaciple_n in_o moral_n and_o so_o the_o most_o universal_a idea_n and_o perfect_a measure_n of_o all_o good_a and_o thence_o the_o spring_n of_o all_o rest_n and_o satisfaction_n so_o that_o none_o elect_v christ_n for_o himself_o but_o such_o as_o can_v content_v and_o satisfy_v themselves_o in_o christ_n not_o in_o themselves_o and_o the_o more_o pure_a and_o disinterest_v our_o regard_n to_o christ_n for_o himself_o be_v the_o better_a friend_n we_o be_v in_o heaven_n all_o these_o poor_a low_a interest_v selfish_a respect_n which_o draw_v sinner_n to_o friendship_n with_o christ_n while_o in_o this_o low_a region_n of_o clay-tabernacle_n will_v there_o be_v perfect_o swallow_v up_o and_o drown_v in_o the_o beatific_a vision_n and_o fruition_n of_o christ_n for_o himself_o and_o for_o himself_o alone_o but_o yet_o while_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n be_v in_o this_o their_o nonage_n and_o child-bood_a he_o do_v indulge_v they_o in_o many_o childish_a selfish_a humour_n they_o be_v now_o in_o a_o wildernes-condition_n absent_a from_o the_o celestial_a canaan_n where_o christ_n their_o friend_n reside_v and_o therefore_o much_o stranger_n to_o those_o transcendent_a excellence_n and_o ravish_a beauty_n which_o shine_v in_o his_o person_n no_o wonder_n then_o if_o they_o have_v many_o oblique_a and_o squint_a regard_v many_o private_a and_o interest_v affection_n mix_v with_o their_o amity_n towards_o christ_n yea_o all_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n at_o their_o first_o contract_n with_o he_o be_v allure_v and_o draw_v to_o he_o by_o what_o good_a they_o hope_v to_o receive_v from_o he_o rather_o than_o by_o what_o good_a they_o see_v in_o he_o and_o many_o good_a friend_n of_o christ_n under_o desertion_n or_o tentation_n be_v more_o intent_n on_o what_o grace_n and_o comfort_n they_o may_v receive_v from_o christ_n than_o on_o what_o they_o may_v enjoy_v in_o himself_o upon_o these_o and_o such_o like_a consideration_n it_o will_v be_v necessary_a that_o we_o state_n and_o determine_v that_o great_a case_n of_o conscience_n how_o far_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n may_v regard_v themselves_o their_o own_o spiritual_a interest_n life_n and_o happiness_n in_o their_o election_n of_o and_o affection_n to_o christ_n as_o their_o friend_n this_o case_n be_v due_o state_v and_o limit_v we_o shall_v the_o more_o clear_o and_o satisfactory_o proceed_v in_o determine_v the_o christian_n duty_n in_o elect_v and_o affect_v christ_n their_o friend_n for_o himself_o sect_n 2._o how_o far_o christ_n friend_n may_v in_o the_o election_n of_o he_o regard_v themselves_o as_o for_o that_o case_n christ_n how_o far_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n may_v regard_v themselves_o in_o the_o election_n of_o christ_n how_o far_o the_o friend_n of_o christ_n may_v regard_v themselves_o in_o the_o election_n of_o christ_n it_o may_v be_v resolve_v by_o these_o follow_a proposition_n some_o of_o which_o be_v exclusive_a or_o negative_a other_o inclusive_a or_o positive_a 1._o the_o exclusive_a or_o negative_a proposition_n be_v such_o as_o follow_v 1._o prop._n the_o friend_n of_o christ_n in_o their_o election_n of_o he_o may_v not_o regard_v sinful_a carnal_a or_o legal_a self_n this_o be_v evident_a because_o so_o far_o as_o they_o regard_v either_o of_o these_o self_n so_o far_o they_o compound_v christ_n and_o so_o elect_v only_o a_o false_a christ_n a_o idol_n of_o their_o own_o brain_n to_o have_v a_o squint_a eye_n on_o some_o belove_a lust_n or_o the_o world_n or_o the_o law_n in_o our_o election_n of_o christ_n be_v a_o black_a