Theophilie, or, A discourse of the saints amitie with God in Christ by Theophilus Gale.

SECT. 6. The friends of Christ are to Elect his Spirit also for their friend.

5. SUch as wil contract friendship with Christ must also elect his spirit for their friend. Christ's Spirit is, not only the same in Essence with himself, but also his Viear-general, Vice-gerent, and Deputie amongst his friends, in this lower Region of the Church: they therefore that wil espouse Christ for their friend, must in like manner espouse his Spirit, as his Substitute here on earth, to govern, influence, and con∣duct them, til they arrive to the immediate and perfect vision and fruition of the Blessed

Deitie. The friends of Christ are as yet in their Non-age, and therefore he has left them his spirit as their Tutor, and Advo∣cate. So Joh. 14.16, 17. I wil pray the Father, and he shal give you another Com∣forter; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; which signifies such a comforter, or Advocate, as is ready, in al our straits and difficulties, to advise, counsel, assist, and encourage us. The Tutor, according to the civil Law, is to be a Defensor, or Gar∣dien of his Pupil; and none were admit∣ted to have Tutors, but such as were free Pupils. Such are the friends of Christ, they are free-born pupils left by Christ, un∣der the Tuition, Inspection, and Protection of his spirit; whom they chearfully elect, and submit unto us as Christ's Delegate and Commissioner, to order, direct, protect, and influence their souls. Are the friends of Christ oppressed and borne down by tyrannick boisterous lusts? then, where should they go, but to the Spirit of Christ, to quel and subdue those proud lusts? so Esa. 4.4. by the spirit of judgement, and by the spirit of burning, the bloud of Jeru∣salem is purged away. Are they weak and infirme? then must they go to this spirit to corroborate and confirme their spirits. Do they labor under great Deadnesses, spiritual Stupidities, and hardnesses of heart? who then can soften, quicken, and

mollisie their hearts, if not this quick∣ening Head, this Fire or flame of God, with which Christ's friends are baptized? Matth. 3.11. He shal haptize you with the holy Ghost and with fire. Again, are their souls straitned, bound up, and, as it were, fetter'd by many tentations, and diffi∣culties? who then can enlarge their souls and set them at libertie, but this their friend, who, where ever he comes, brings libertie, as 2 Cor. 3.17. is it not this free spirit, that widens, and enlargeth the heart, to pour out it self before God in prayer? Rom. 8.15, 27. Farther, are the friends of Christ wounded by Tentation or lust? who then can heal their wounded hearts, if not the Spirit of Christ? is not he the healing virtue of the Sun of Righteousnes, Mal. 4.2? Do they find spiritual languisse∣ments, sensible consumtions, abatements, and decaies in their Affections to, and commu∣nion with Christ? Whence then may they expect nourishment, growth, and thriving here∣in, if not from this living Head, Col. 2.19? Are their hearts withered, barren, parched, like a desert place? and who can make them revive and spread forth their branches; and make their beautie as that of the Olive tree or Lillie, if not this fructifying spirit? is not he as dew to Israel, &c. Hos. 14.5, 6, 7. Esa. 26.19? Lastly, are the friends of Christ in a Wildernes-condition, under ma∣ny Desertions, troubles, fears, hurries, dis∣quietments of spirit, about their spiritual

state? who then can speak comfort, if not this Divine Comforter? where may they ex∣pect a door of hope, if not in this valley of Achor, Hos. 2.14, 15. Who can advise, di∣rect, conduct, and encourage them in their be∣wildred condition, if not this their Tutor, Advocate, and friend? These and such like considerations do deeply oblige, and strongly engage those who contract friendship with Christ, to elect and espouse his spirit as their Advocate, Guide, Protector, and Tutor, while absent from Christ.

Notes

• 5. Election of Christ's Spirit.
• Joh. 14.16, 17.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Vox est At∣tica, quae significantur illi quos in periculo accersimus, ut nobis adsint consilio, qui iidem Advocati dicuntur, eti∣amsi non litigent in soro, nostro nomine. Camero fol. 221.