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
divine_a light_n that_o stream_n from_o christ_n the_o sun_n of_o righteousness_n be_v christ_n so_o full_o of_o life_n and_o so_o willing_a to_o give_v it_o forth_o unto_o all_o that_o come_v unto_o he_o and_o shall_v sinner_n be_v unwilling_a to_o receive_v it_o what_o not_o willing_a to_o live_v do_v not_o this_o seem_v strange_a a_o reasonable_a creature_n and_o yet_o unwilling_a to_o be_v happy_a be_v death_n a_o thing_n so_o amiable_a as_o to_o be_v prefer_v before_o life_n yea_o immortal_a death_n before_o immortal_a life_n be_v it_o ever_o know_v that_o chain_n and_o fetter_n be_v more_o eligible_a than_o liberty_n and_o freedom_n oh_o what_o a_o monstrous_a sin_n be_v this_o that_o poor_a undo_v sinner_n shall_v wilful_o contemn_v the_o fountain_n of_o all_o life_n who_o will_v ever_o have_v think_v that_o a_o rational_a creature_n shall_v be_v so_o sottish_a and_o mad_a as_o wilful_o and_o elective_o to_o prefer_v sin_n the_o worst_a evil_n before_o christ_n the_o chief_a good_n what_o a_o reproach_n and_o disgrace_n be_v this_o to_o human_a nature_n that_o it_o shall_v cordial_o embrace_v satan_n the_o worst_a of_o enemy_n and_o wilful_o reject_v christ_n the_o best_a of_o friend_n can_v there_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n than_o this_o for_o a_o intelligent_a be_v elective_o to_o choose_v yea_o love_v death_n and_o hate_v christ_n who_o be_v life_n itself_o and_o yet_o this_o be_v the_o case_n of_o all_o those_o who_o embrace_v not_o christ_n as_o their_o friend_n prov._n 8.36_o al_n they_o that_o hate_v i_o love_v death_n 3._o nature_n 3._o the_o measure_n of_o this_o sin_n from_o its_o formal_a nature_n the_o aggravation_n of_o this_o sin_n not_o to_o mind_n or_o affect_v amity_n with_o christ_n be_v lively_o represent_v in_o its_o formal_a nature_n and_o idea_n the_o definition_n or_o essential_a idea_n of_o a_o thing_n give_v you_o its_o formal_a nature_n portrait_n and_o image_n and_o if_o you_o understand_v the_o formal_a nature_n of_o a_o sin_n you_o may_v easy_o guess_v at_o its_o aggravation_n now_o the_o general_a idea_n and_o formal_a nature_n of_o all_o sin_n consist_v in_o a_o obliquity_n or_o transgression_n of_o some_o divine_a law_n and_o by_o how_o much_o the_o more_o forcible_a obligatorie_n and_o inviolable_a the_o law_n be_v by_o so_o much_o the_o more_o there_o be_v of_o obliquity_n and_o malignity_n in_o that_o sin_n which_o be_v the_o transgression_n of_o such_o a_o law_n now_o the_o law_n which_o oblige_v man_n to_o mind_n and_o affect_v amity_n with_o christ_n be_v the_o mediator_n law_n a_o evangelic_n law_n which_o have_v a_o double_a sanction_n appendent_a to_o it_o not_o only_o that_o of_o a_o creator_n but_o also_o that_o of_o a_o redeemer_n and_o oh_o what_o a_o heinous_a crime_n be_v this_o to_o transgress_v this_o evangelic_n law_n of_o the_o mediator_n which_o be_v twist_v and_o compose_v of_o such_o silken_a cord_n of_o love_n such_o sweet_a obligation_n of_o evangelick_n grace_n and_o mercy_n this_o aggravation_n be_v set_v forth_o to_o the_o life_n heb._n 2.2_o 3._o for_o if_o the_o word_n speak_v by_o angel_n i._n e._n the_o law_n of_o moses_n be_v steadfast_a and_o every_o transgession_n and_o disobedience_n receive_v a_o just_a recompense_n of_o reward_n how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o begin_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n &_o c_o as_o if_o he_o have_v say_v alas_o if_o the_o transgression_n of_o the_o mosaic_a law_n be_v repute_v so_o heinous_a and_o therefore_o have_v such_o dreadful_a curse_n pronounce_v against_o it_o what_o shall_v we_o say_v of_o such_o as_o transgress_v the_o mediator_n evangelic_n law_n of_o grace_n which_o offer_v life_n and_o salvation_n to_o sinner_n oh_o what_o a_o prodigious_a sin_n be_v this_o to_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o the_o son_n of_o god_n invite_v we_o to_o how_o deserve_o do_v such_o perish_v but_o a_o little_a to_o examine_v the_o particular_a idea_n sin_n the_o particular_a idea_n of_o this_o sin_n and_o branch_n of_o this_o sin_n 1._o unbelief_n 1._o it_o be_v full_a of_o atheism_n and_o unbelief_n not_o to_o mind_n and_o affect_v amity_n with_o christ_n carry_v in_o its_o formal_a nature_n or_o bowel_n a_o world_n of_o unbelief_n and_o atheism_n not_o to_o embrace_v christ_n as_o our_o best_a friend_n what_o be_v it_o but_o to_o give_v god_n the_o lie_n so_o 1_o joh._n 5.10_o 5.10_o 1_o joh._n 5.10_o he_o that_o believe_v not_o god_n have_v make_v he_o a_o liar_n because_o he_o believe_v not_o the_o record_n that_o god_n give_v of_o his_o son_n can_v there_o be_v a_o great_a sin_n than_o this_o to_o make_v god_n who_o be_v veracitie_n itself_o and_o the_o first_o truth_n a_o liar_n and_o do_v not_o every_o one_o that_o reject_v christ_n make_v god_n a_o liar_n because_o he_o believe_v not_o the_o record_n that_o god_n have_v give_v of_o his_o son_n o_o remember_v sinner_n what_o thou_o do_v when_o thou_o refuse_v friendship_n with_o christ_n know_v that_o thereby_o thou_o make_v the_o most_o faithful_a and_o bless_a god_n a_o liar_n and_o so_o o_o the_o monstrous_a blasphemy_n not_o to_o be_v mention_v without_o horror_n a_o son_n of_o the_o devil_n 2._o christ_n 2._o it_o be_v a_o crucifixion_n of_o christ_n to_o reject_v christ_n or_o neglect_v friendship_n with_o he_o be_v no_o less_o than_o a_o repeted_a crucifixion_n of_o christ_n and_o expose_v of_o he_o to_o open_a shame_n man_n cry_v shame_n and_o treachery_n on_o judas_n for_o betray_v of_o his_o lord_n they_o condemn_v pilate_n for_o condemn_v the_o lord_n of_o life_n who_o so_o wicked_a as_o not_o to_o estime_fw-fr the_o jew_n bloody_a and_o curse_a for_o embrew_v their_o hand_n in_o the_o blood_n of_o their_o messiah_n but_o know_v that_o every_o one_o who_o refuse_v christ_n and_o friendship_n with_o he_o betray_v he_o as_o much_o as_o judas_n condemn_v he_o worse_o than_o pilate_n and_o embrew_v his_o hand_n in_o his_o savior_n blood_n as_o well_o as_o the_o bloodthirsty_a jew_n for_o it_o be_v most_o certain_a that_o christ_n have_v no_o worse_a enemy_n than_o the_o vnbeliever_n he_o who_o will_v not_o eâ—â—ct_v he_o as_o his_o friend_n he_o that_o will_v not_o embrace_v christ_n as_o offer_v in_o the_o gospel_n with_o his_o whole_a heart_n and_o adhere_v to_o he_o as_o his_o best_a friend_n be_v his_o worst_a enemy_n and_o one_o that_o daily_o crucify_v the_o lord_n of_o glory_n by_o his_o unbelief_n o_o consider_v the_o weight_n of_o this_o sin_n as_o describe_v heb._n 6.6_o see_v they_o crucify_v to_o themselves_o the_o son_n of_o god_n afresh_o and_o put_v he_o to_o a_o open_a shame_n 3._o christ_n 3._o it_o be_v a_o blaspheme_a christ_n not_o to_o embrace_v christ_n as_o offer_v in_o the_o gospel_n for_o our_o friend_n be_v formal_a blasphemy_n in_o that_o it_o bring_v a_o scandal_n ill_a report_n and_o reproach_n on_o christ_n what_o be_v blasphemy_n but_o to_o raise_v a_o ill_a report_n or_o scandal_n on_o god_n whereby_o the_o most_o bless_a deity_n be_v reproach_v now_o what_o bring_v a_o great_a reproach_n or_o scandal_n on_o god_n than_o to_o contemn_v and_o disgrace_v the_o son_n of_o god_n so_o far_o as_o to_o prefer_v any_o other_o friend_n either_o sin_n or_o self_n before_o he_o can_v there_o be_v a_o great_a reproach_n or_o disgrace_n cast_v on_o christ_n than_o to_o elect_v idâ—l-lusts_n or_o other_o lover_n before_o he_o be_v not_o this_o a_o high_a piece_n of_o blasphemy_n to_o tell_v the_o world_n that_o that_o the_o creature_n deserve_v our_o friendship_n more_o than_o christ_n the_o creator_n of_o all_o oh_o think_v on_o this_o 4._o saâ—râ—â—â—ge_n 4._o it_o be_v saâ—râ—â—â—ge_n not_o to_o make_v christ_n our_o friend_n be_v in_o a_o high_a degree_n sacrilege_n or_o rob_v god_n of_o his_o due_n all_o serious_a spirit_n hate_v and_o abhor_v the_o imputation_n of_o sacrilege_n both_o name_n and_o thing_n but_o what_o great_a sacrilege_n can_v there_o be_v than_o to_o rob_v and_o plunder_v christ_n of_o his_o diadem_n and_o imperial_a throne_n be_v not_o christ_n mediatorie_a office_n his_o diadem_n and_o be_v not_o the_o heart_n of_o his_o friend_n his_o chief_a imperial_a throne_n do_v not_o then_o all_o such_o as_o refuse_v to_o make_v he_o their_o friend_n rob_v he_o of_o his_o diadem_n and_o throne_n thus_o we_o see_v what_o the_o aggravation_n of_o this_o sin_n be_v in_o regard_n of_o its_o formal_a nature_n and_o idea_n 4._o effect_n 4._o the_o aggravation_n of_o this_o sin_n not_o to_o elect_a christ_n from_o its_o effect_n we_o may_v take_v a_o measure_n of_o this_o sin_n not_o not_o to_o mind_n friendship_n with_o christ_n by_o its_o effect_n that_o must_v needs_o be_v a_o sin_n of_o the_o first_o magnitude_n which_o have_v a_o most_o universal_a malignant_a influence_n
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