A joint participation in any thing whatever, Good or evil, duty or enjoyment, nature or actions, gives this denomination 1to them so partaking of it. A common interest in the same nature gives all men a fellowship or communion therein. Of the Elect it is said, [Greek or Hebrew] Heb. 2. 14. those children partook of, (or had fellowship in with the rest of the world) flesh and blood; the same common nature with the rest of mankind; and therefore Christ also came into the same fellowship: [Greek or Hebrew]. There is also a communion as to state and condition, whether it be Good or evil; and this either in things internal and spiritual, such as is the communion of Saints among themselves; or in respect of outward things; so was it with Christ and the two thieves, as to one condition, ⟨p. 4⟩and to one of them in respect of another. They were [Greek or Hebrew], under the same sentence to the Cross. Luk. 32. 40. ejusdem deloris socii. They had communion as to that evil condition whereunto they were adjudged. And one of them requested, which he also obtained, a participation in that blessed condition, whereupon our Saviour was immediately to enter. There is also a communion or fellowship in Actions, whether Good or Evil. In good is that Communion & fellowship in the Gospel, or in the performance and Celebration of that worship of God, which in the Gospel is instituted, which the Saints do enjoy; Phil. 1. 5. which as to the General kind of it, David so rejoices in. Psal. 42. 4. In Evil was that, wherein Simeon and Levi were brethren. Gen 49. 5. They had communion in that cruel act of revenge and murder. Our Communion with God is not comprised in any one of these kinds; of some of them it is exclusive. It cannot be natural. It must be voluntary and by consent: It cannot be of state and conditions, but in actions: It cannot be in the same actions upon a third party, but in a return from one to another. 2The infinite disparity that is between God and Man, made the Great Philosopher conclude, that there could be no friendship between them. Some distance in the persons holding friendship he could allow; nor could exactly determine the bounds and extent thereof: but that between God and Man, in his apprehension left no place for it. Another says indeed, that there is communitas homini cum Deo, a certaine fellowship between God and Man.
A joint participation in any thing whatever, Good or evill, duty or enjoyment, nature or actions, gives this denomination 1to them so partaking of it. A common interest in the same nature gives all men a fellowship or communion therein. Of the Elect it is said, 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 Heb. 2. 14. those children pertook of, (or had fellowship in with the rest of the world) flesh and blood; the same common nature with the rest of mankind; and therefore Christ also came into the same fellowship: 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. There is also a communion as to state and condition, whether it be Good or evil; and this either in things internall and spirituall, such as is the communion of Saints among themselves; or in respect of outward things; so was it with Christ and the two theives, as to one condition, ⟨p. 4⟩and to one of them in respect of another. They were 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, under the same sentence to the Crosse. Luk. 32. 40. ejusdem deloris socii. They had communion as to that evil condition wherunto they were adjuged. And one of them requested, which he also obtained, a participation in that blessed condition, whereupon our Saviour was immediately to enter. There is also a communion or fellowship in Actions, whether Good or Evill. In good is that Communion & fellowship in the Gospell, or in the performance and Celebration of that worship of God, which in the Gospell is instituted, which the Saints doe enjoy; Phil. 1. 5. which as to the Generall kind of it, David so rejoyces in. Psal. 42. 4. In Evil was that, wherein Symeon and Levi were brethren. Gen 49. 5. They had communion in that cruel act of revenge and murther. Our Communion with God is not comprised in any one of these kinds; of some of them it is exclusive. It cannot be naturall. It must be voluntary and by consent: It cannot be of state and conditions, but in actions: It cannot be in the same actions upon a third party, but in a returne from one to another. 2The infinite disparity that is between God and Man, made the Great Philosopher conclude, that there could be no friendship between them. Some distance in the persons holding friendship he could alow; nor could exactly determine the bounds and extent thereof: but that between God and Man, in his apprehension left no place for it. Another saies indeed, that there is communitas homini cum Deo, a certaine fellowship between God and Man.
- 1Quemadmo dum nobis arrhabonem spiritus reliquit, ita & a nobis arrhabonem carnis accepit & vexit in Coelum, pignus totius summae illuc redigendae. Tertul. Resur.
- 2[Greek or Hebrew]. Aristot. Eth. lib. 8. c. 7. Cicer. de nat. D. lib. 1.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Aristot. Eth. lib. 8. c. 7. Cicer. de nat. D. lib. 1.
