Of Communion with God the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost

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.