Spiritual Perfec7ion. partake of Adoption and Communion with God, without our being cleanfed from Sin , and being changed into the Image of God. It would difparage the unfpotted Holinefs of God to take one into Sonfhip, and to manifeft his corn- placential Love in him, that continues in the fiate of polluted Nature. While Men are alienated from the Life of God, they cannot have a Filial Relation to him : For God cannot deny himfelf, neig ther can there be Communion with him. We are dire&ed to draw near to God, and he will draw near to us ; but we mull. cleanfe our hands, and purifie our hearts. St. John declares the Heavenly Priviledge of Chriftians, Truly our Communion is with the Father, and with fefus Chrifl ; and he declares the terms of it, If we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowfhip one with another. Com- niunion implies freedo,- and fruition, a Mutual intercourfe of Mercies and Du- ties ; theSoul afcends to God by aas of Faith and Love, and God defcends into the Soul by excitations of Grace, and in- fluences of Joy. There can be noLove without Likenefs, nor Fellowfhip with- Out Love. According to the degrees of Our Holinefs, the more exaa is our re- emblance of God, and the more clear 'and comfortable is the evidence of our Filia$ 297
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