The Saints Amity with God in Christ, Discourse · Part 1 · Book 1 · Chapter 10 · Section 6
SECT. 6. The friends of Chriſt ſhould aſpire after more intimate Union, and Communion with Chriſt, in al Ordinances, Duties, Providential occurrences, and creature-Injoyments.
6.6. Advice for Union and Communion with Chriſt. THE Friends of Chriſt ſhould aſpire after, and contend for a more intimatt, deep Ʋnion, and Communion with Chriſt, in al Ordinances, Duties, providential Occurrences, and Creature-injoyments. This Admonition, and Advice is of grand moment, in order to the fulfilling, and living up to the Relation and Dignitie of friendſhip with Chriſt. For al friendſhip implies union, and communion: and by how much the more ſtrict, ſpiritual, and deep, this union, and communion is; by ſo much the more perfect wil the friendſhip be. Where God implants a gracious Sympathie, and ſtrict Amitie betwixt two ſouls, there is ſuch an intimate union, and communion, as that no ſeparation, or diſtance of Place, or Time, can make a breach thereon; but it is ſtil maintained, in al Abſences of the perſons, by means inviſible, as much as, or more than, other Ʋnions, and Communions are by the moſt potent, and viſible means. And thence Moſes, Deut. 13.6. makes the union of friends to be the higheſt among men, even as that with thine own ſoul. But now the union and communion which is between Chriſt and his friends is of an higher Nature. We ſhal ſpeak,
1.1. The friends of Chriſt ſhould confirme and improve their union with Chriſt. Of that Ʋnion with Chriſt, which his friends ought daily to aſpire after. Al true friendſhip, whether Natural, Civil, or Divine, conſiſts in Ʋnion, or rather Ʋnitie: And by how much the more intimate, and deep the Ʋnion, or Ʋnitie is; by ſo much the more inviolable, and complete is the Friendſhip.aA Dionyſio dicitur, quod amor eſt unitiva virtus. Quanto ergo id, unde Amans eſt un…m cum amato, eſt majus; tanto eſt amor interſior: & rurſus, Quanto id ex quo eſt unio, eſt magis intimum amanti, tanto amor eſt firmior. Aquinas contra Gent. l. 1. c. 91. In Civil Amitie, that between conjugal Relations is moſt entire, and inſeparable; (til death make a breach:) becauſe the Ʋnion, or Ʋnitie between Man and Wife is moſt intimate: For theſe are, by the Law of their Creation, one fleſh, Gen. 2.23. Epheſ. 5.28. Hence Chriſt makes uſe of this conjugal Amitie, as a ſymbolick Image, or lively ſhadow of that conjugal Ʋnion, and Friendſhip which is between himſelf and his Church, Epheſ. 5.32. And indeed, al other Ʋnions in the World, are but Metaphors, and Shadows, if compared with this Ʋnion, between Chriſt and his friends. Hence therefore it neceſſarily follows, that the more the friends of Chriſt Confirme, and Improve this their conjugal Ʋnion with Chriſt, the better friends to him wil they approve themſelves. This Amicable Ʋnion with Chriſt admits of a great Latitude, both of Kinds and Degrees, wherein the friends of Chriſt ought to make daily procedure, in order to the Improvement of their Amitie with Chriſt.
(1.)1. Relative Union. The friends of Chriſt have a Relative Ʋnion with Chriſt, as he is their publick Repreſentative, Suretie, Advocate, commun Head, and Husband. This Relative Ʋnion they ought daily to improve, in order to the Juſtication of their Perſons, and Sanctification of their Natures. Did Chriſt, as a publick perſon make himſelf a Piaculum, and Anathema, or Curſe for his friends? O then! how ſhould they make themſelves bleſſed in him? Did he, as their Suretie, die for them? Should not they then as poor Bankrupts, Live in, and upon him? Was not this Paul's Ambition, and life, Phil. 3.9, 10?
(2.)2. Habitual Union with Chriſt. The Friends of Chriſt have an Abſolute, and poſitive Ʋnion with Chriſt; which is either Habitual or Actual. 1. Habitual Ʋnion with Chriſt, ariſeth from the Inhabitation of the Spirit, and thoſe Divine Habits of Grace, infuſed by him. Now this Habitual Ʋnion is improved, by a ſingular, indulgent regard to the Spirit of Chriſt; with Immediate, Abſolute, Total, Inceſſant Dependence on him, for al Grace. Doth the Spirit of Chriſt inhabit, and take up his abode in the Hearts of Chriſt's friends? O! what a tender regard then ſhould theſe have, to ſuch an Inmate? How delicately, and friendly ſhould they treat ſuch a Gueſt?
2.2. Actual Union. As for Actual Ʋnion with Chriſt, it is either Intellectual, or Moral.
(1.)1. Intellectual. Intellectual Ʋnion with Chriſt conſiſts in thoſe glorious Ideas, or Notions, and Images of Chriſt, whether Contemplative or Active, which are impreſſed on the mind. For, look as the eye hath an Ideal Ʋnion with the Sun, or any other object, by having its Image impreſſed on it ſelf: Juſt ſo the believing mind hath an Ideal, or Intellectual Ʋnion with Chriſt, by having the glorious Idea, or Image of Chriſt impreſſed on it ſelf, as 2 Cor. 3.18. Now the more real, ſpiritual, diſtinct, evident, deep, affective, and effective Notions of Chriſt his friends have, the more prevalent, and efficacious wil this their mental Ʋnion, and Friendſhip with Chriſt be. Oh! what Admirable, incomparable friends of Chriſt might we be, had we but more feeling, clear, lively, particular, and efformative Notions, or Ideas of Chriſt in our Underſtandings?
(2.)2. Moral Union. Moral Ʋnion with Chriſt is either Adheſive, or Affective. 1. Adheſive.1. Adheſive Ʋnion conſiſts in the Wils Contract with, and Adheſion to Chriſt as its friend. As the Mind is one with its Object, by the Reception of its Idea, and Image, into it ſelf; ſo the Wil is one with its object, by Egreſſe, and Adheſion thereto. And, undoutedly, this moral Adheſion of the Wil to Chriſt, greatly conduceth to the Improvement of friendſhip with him. For Friendſhip, in its formal Notion, implies a kind of Indiviſibilitie: Friends give up themſelves entirely each to other, and hence they are to abide and live out of themſelves, each in other: And ſo Chriſt expects the Hearts of his Friends, ſhould be wholly for, and with him; as he is wholly for, and with them. As Chriſt abides cotinually in, and with them by his Spirit; ſo their Wils muſt abide continually in, and with Chriſt, by firme Adherence, as Hoſ. 3.3. Thou ſhalt not be for another man, ſo wil I alſo be for thee. This greatly improves friendſhip with Chriſt.
2.2. Affective. Moral Affective Union with Chriſt, conſiſts in the effluence, or flowing forth of ſpiritual and paſſionate Affections towards Chriſt, as before Sect. 4.bA nicitia ex duobus facit unum per affectum Aquin. And O! how much doth this conduce to the Improvement of Conjugal Ʋnion and Amitie with Chriſt, as Cant. 8.6, 7. Set me as a ſeal upon thine heart, &c.
2.2. The friends of Chriſt muſt make daily procedure in communion with Chriſt. The friends of Chriſt ſhould aſpire after, and contend for a more Intimate, deep, ſpiritual, and ſenſible communion with Chriſt; and that in al Ordinances, Duties, Providences, and Injoyments. Ʋnion with Chriſt layes the Foundation, but communion gives the formal Spirit, Reaſon, and Life to our Amitie with Chriſt.pPerfectio ſecunda in rebus addit ſupra primam: Sicut autem eſſe & natura rei conſideratur ſecundum primam perfectionem, ita operatio ſecundum perfectionem ſecundam. Oportet igitur in Deum redire non ſolum ſecundum ſimilitudinem Naturae, ſed etiam ſecundum ſimilitudinem Operationis. Aquinat. contra Gent. l. 2. c. 46. As in nature, the ſecond Act, or Operation, addes an higher degree of perfection, to the firſt Act, Habit, or Principle: So here, Communion with Chriſt, which conſiſts in Divine, and gracious Operations, addes much perfection to the firſt Act, Habit, or Principle of friendſhip with Chriſt. For al firſt Acts, or Habits, are ordained for, and ſo perfected in, and by their ſecond Acts, or Operations: and as God is in himſelf a pure, ſimple, eternal Act; So the more our habitual friendſhip exerts it ſelf, by gracious Acts of communion with him, the more Aſſimilation to God it partakes of. Again, mutual converſation, and Fruition is the main end, and therefore the moſt eſſential part of friendſhip. For why do friends confederate, and link themſelves together, by ſuch intimate, inviolable bonds of Amitie, but for more complete, and uninterrupted converſation? And what is moreqDelectabiliſſimum eſt amicis convivere. Aquin. contr. Gent. l. 3. c. 103. delectable and pleaſing to friends, than to converſe together, and injoy each other? Thus it is apparent, that communion is the end, and perfection of friendſhip among men.rItem, hoc videtur eſſe amicitiae manimè proprium, ſimul converſari cum amico: converſatio autem hominis cum Deo eſt per contemplationem. Aquin. contra. Gent. l. 4. c. 22. And, we need no way dout, but that according to the meſure of communion with Chriſt, ſuch wil be the meſure of Friendſhip with him. As amongſt men, frequent viſits, and familiar converſation or communion doth mightily confirme, and improve Friendſhip: ſo here, familiar converſation, and communion with Chriſt, is very efficacious for the Improvement of Friendſhip with him. Shineſſes, Diſtances, and Eſtrangements are the gangrene of civil, but much more of Divine friendſhip. Alas! the friends of Chriſt neither Think, nor Affect, nor Talk, nor Act, nor Live as ſuch, longer than they Think, Affect, Converſe, and Live with Chriſt. Al we mind, ſay, or do without this, comes to Nothing. Whatever conduceth not to the Injoyment of Chriſt, is but loſt: The Life, Work, and Buſines of a friend of Chriſt, conſiſts in converſation with Chriſt. Al we do without this, even in the higheſt Duties of Religion, is but a loitering, dreaming, ſleepy Formalitie. Neither may the Friends of Chriſt expect, that he wil walk with them in waies of Conduct, Grace, Peace, and Comfort; unleſſe they walk with him, in waies of Communion: Yea, is not this the Suburbs of the celeſtial Jeruſalem, the entrance into our eternal Reſt? And may we expect a complete Heaven hereafter, if we are unwilling to begin our Heaven here? Is not communion with Chriſt the richeſt, ſweeteſt, nobleſt, beſt, and moſt ſatisfying Life? Have the friends of Chriſt ever more Strength, Warmth, Peace, and Comfort, than when they are neareſt unto Chriſt? Doth not the Health, vigor, and exercices of the New creature, depend wholly, on the ſoul's abiding in Chriſt, and his abiding in the ſoul, by daily mutual communion, as Joh. 15.5? What is it that brings the friends of Chriſt into a ſtate of Divine Amplitude, or Libertie; but Intimate communion with Chriſt, as their friend? Whence ſprings the Firmitude, Stabilitie, and Harmonie of Grace; but from continual, uninterrupted Dependence on, and converſation with Chriſt, the Fountain of al Grace? Do the Friends of Chriſt ever ſhine with a more viſible Luſtre, and glorie? Are their Graces ever more Illuſtrious, and beautiful, than when they have been with Chriſt on the Mount? Was it ever known, that the friends of Chriſt came to viſit him, and returned emtie-handed? Doth not Chriſt alwaies follow his friends, with freſh communications of Grace, and Peace, when they follow him by Acts of Faith, and Love, with other parts of communion? How then comes it to paſſe, that the friends of Chriſt are ſo much ſtrangers to him? Alas! what can ſupport you in a day of trouble, but the companie of Chriſt your friend? And can you expect his Gracious, and comfortable preſence in evil daies, if you wil not walk and converſe with him, in your good daies? If Chriſt cannot have your hearts, and companie in Canaan, may you not juſtly expect, that he bring you again into a Wildernes? Believe it, if you are real friends of Chriſt, he muſt, and wil have your companie, firſt or laſt: If he cannot have your hearts in the fulnes, and abundance of al things, he wil have them under the want of althings: if his Gracious, and ſweet Viſitations wil not allure you, his bitter, and ſevere Viſitations ſhall drive you to him. O then follow Chriſt, while in waies of merciemercy: draw near to him, walk with him, day by day, in waies of Communion; Indeavor after communion with Chriſt.and then dout not, but he wil walk with you, in waies of Grace, and Comfort: keep cloſe to him in al Times, Conditions, and States, and he wil keep cloſe to you.
(1.)1. In al Religious Duties and Ordinances. Maintain daily communion with Chriſt in al Duties and exercices of Religion. None live up to their Dignitie, and Dutie, as friends of Chriſt, but ſuch as eye, and enjoy him in their Religious Duties and Exercices, whether private or publick. It's good to be much in duties; but it is better to be much with Chriſt in duties. Religious duties, and Ordinances, they are Chriſts Galleries, wherein he is held, (Cant. 7.5.) by his friends, that draw nigh to him therein: but as for mere formal, legal Duties, wherein Chriſt is not minded, they are the Devil's Galleries, wherein he is held. O! if ever you would be found to be real, and faithful friends of Chriſt, be ſure you ſatisfie not your ſelves with duties done, unleſſe you meet, and enjoy Chriſt therein.
(2)2. In al Providential occurrences. If you would fulfil, and walk up to your Relation, and Dignity as friends of Chriſt, then maintain communion with him in al Providential Occurrences, whether Conſolative or Afflictive, ſmiling or frowning. Remember, that God's Providences are oft a good Comment on his Promiſes: his Works frequently expound and explain his Word unto us: and therefore his friends, at leaſt ſuch as are wiſe, wil underſtand the ſame; as alſo the loving kindnes of God ſhining therein,Pſal. 107.43. as Pſal. 107.43. Whoſo is wiſe and wil obſerve thoſe things; even they ſhal underſtand the loving kindneſs of the Lord. He had diſcourſed here of the Works of God's Providence; which his wiſer friends would obſerve. The friends of Chriſt, when Providence ſmiles on them, their hearts ſhould be thereby allured to him: it ſufficeth not them, to injoy mercies from Chriſt, unleſſe they can injoy Chriſt in their mercies. And then for Afflictive, frowning Providences; if Chriſt ſees it meet to withdraw comforts from them, they muſt ſee it their dutie, and endeavor to make it their practice, to withdraw their Hearts from thoſe comforts: The leſſe they injoy of the creature, the more they ſhould injoy of Chriſt, in al his afflictive Viſitations. A great part of our communion with Chriſt, conſiſts in the fellowſhip of his Croſſe: and none uſually prove more loyal friends of Chriſt, than ſuch as have got the Art and skil of communion with him on the Croſſe. As Chriſt was moſt exalted in Spirit, when crucified in the fleſh; ſo the friends of Chriſt ſhould endeavor conformitie to him herein. To live a ſublime, high, elevated life of faith, in their loweſt conditions. As an humble, ſelf-abaſing Spirit greatly adornes an high condition; ſo an exalted, ſublime, high Spirit, or life of faith, greatly adornes a low, afflicted condition in the friends of Chriſt.
(3.)3. In creature-comforts and Inferior goods. The Friends of Chriſt ſhould make it their work to injoy Chriſt, in al creature-comforts, Inferior Relations, and Injoyments. Chriſt alone muſt be the matter of their Fruition and Satisfaction; and al other things matter of uſe ſubſervient to Chriſt. Nothing is good, farther than it comes from Chriſts heart, and draws our hearts to him. O! what rich, and delicious lives, might the friends of Chriſt lead, would they but eye, and injoy Chriſt in al their Creature-Comforts? I have known one, and indeed a great friend of Chriſt, who, I verily believe, injoyed more of Chriſt, and his Gracious preſence, in his Civil Employments, and Creature-injoyments, than many (yea, may I not ſay than moſt) Chriſtians do, in their moſt ſpiritual duties and Ordinances. O! What might we injoy of Chriſt, in the viſible Book of Nature, and Creature-Comforts, had we but ſpiritual hearts?