<P_5>

Madam , The wise <font> Bensirach </font> advised that we should not
consult with a woman concerning her of whom she is jealous , neither
with a coward in matters of warre , nor with a merchant concerning
exchange ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,5.2)

and some other instances he gives of interested persons , to whom he
<P_6> would not have us hearken in any matter of Counsel .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,6.3)

For where ever the interest is <font> secular </font> or <font> vitious
</font> , there the bias is not on the side of <font> truth </font> or
<font> reason </font> , because <font> these </font> are seldom serv'd
by profit and low regards . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,6.4)

But to consult with a friend in matters of friendship is like
consulting with a spiritual person in Religion ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,6.5)

they who understand the secrets of Religion or the interior beauties of
friendship are the fittest to give answers in all inquiries concerning
the respective subjects ; because <font> reason </font> and <font>
experience </font> are on the side of <font> interest </font> ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,6.6)

and that which in friendship is most <font> pleasing </font> and most
<font> useful </font> , is also most <font> reasonable </font> and most
<font> true </font> ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,6.7)

and a friends fairest interest is the best measure of the conducting
friendships : (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,6.8)

and therefore you who are so eminent in friendships could also have
given <P_7> the best answer to your own inquiries ,
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,7.9)

and you could have trusted your own reason , because it is not onely
greatly instructed by the direct notices of things , but also by great
experience in the matter of which you now inquire .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,7.10)

But because I will not use any thing that shall look like an excuse , I
will rather give you such an account which you can easily reprove ,
then by declining your commands , seem more safe in my prudence , then
open and communicative in my friendship to you .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,7.11)

You first inquire how far a Dear and a perfect friendship is authoriz'd
by the principles of Christianity ? (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,7.12)

To this I answer that the word <font> Friendship </font> in the sense
we commonly mean by it , is not so much <P_8> as named in the
New-Testament ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.13)

& our Religion takes no notice of it . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.14)

You think it strange ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.15)

but read on before you spend so much as the beginning of a passion or a
Wonder upon it . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.16)

There is mention of <paren> <font> Friendship with the world </font> ,
</paren> (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.17)

and it is said to be <font> enmity with God </font> ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.18)

but the word is no where else named , or to any other purpose in all
the New Testament . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.19)

It speaks of Friends often ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.20)

but by <font> Friends </font> are meant our acquaintance , or our
Kindred , the relatives of our family or our fortune , or our sect ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.21)

something of society , or something of kindness there is in it ; a
tenderness of appellation and civility , a relation made by gifts , or
by duty , by services and subjection ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,8.22)

and I think , I have reason to be confident , that the word <font>
Friend </font> <paren> speaking of humane intercourse </paren> <P_9> is
no other-wayes used in the Gospels or Epistles , or Acts of the
Apostles : (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.23)

and the reason of it is , the word <font> Friend </font> is of a large
signification ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.24)

and means all relations and societies , and whatsoever is not <font>
enemy </font> ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.25)

but by <font> friendships </font> , I suppose you mean , <font> the
greatest love , and the greatest usefulnesse , and the most open
communication , and the noble sufferings , and the most exemplar
faithfulness , and the severest truth , and the heartest {COM:sic}
counsel , and the greatest union of minds </font> , of which brave men
and women are capable . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.26)

But then I must tell you that Christianity hath new christened it ,
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.27)

and calls this <font> Charity </font> . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.28)

The Christian knowes no enemy he hath ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,9.29)

that is , though persons may be injurious to him , and unworthy in
themselves , yet he knowes none whom he is not first bound to forgive ,
which is indeed <P_10> to make them on his part to be no enemies ,
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.30)

that is , to make that the word <font> enemy </font> shall not be
perfectly contrary to <font> Friend </font> ,
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.31)

it shall not be a relative term and signifie something on each hand , a
<font> relative </font> and a <font> correlative </font> ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.32)

and then he knowes none whom he is not bound to love & pray for , to
treat kindly and justly , liberally , and obligingly .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.33)

Christian Charity is Friendship to all the world ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.34)

and when Friendships were the noblest things in the world , Charity was
little , like the Sun drawn in at a chink , or his beams drawn into the
centre of a Burning glass ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.35)

but Christian Charity is Friendship , expanded like the face of the Sun
when it mounts above the Eastern hills : (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.36)

and I was strangely pleased when I saw something of this in Cicero ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,10.37)

for I have been so <P_11> push'd at by herds and flockes of people that
follow any body that whistles to them , or drives them to pasture ,
that I am grown afraid of any Truth that seems chargeable with
singularity : (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,11.38)

but therefore I say , glad I was when I saw <font> Laelius </font> in
<font> Cicero </font> discourse thus : <font> Amicitia ex infinitate
generis humani quam conciliavit ipsa natura , contracta res est , &
adducta in angustum ; ut omnis charitas , aut inter duos , aut inter
paucos jungeretur </font> . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,11.39)

Nature hath made Friendships , and $societies , relations and
endearments ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,11.40)

and by something or other we relate to all the world ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,11.41)

there is enough in every man that is willing , to make him becom our
friend ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,11.42)

but when men contract Frlendships , they inclose the Commons ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,11.43)

and what Nature intended should be every mans , we make proper to two
or <P_12> three . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,12.44)

Friendship is like rivers and the strand of seas , and the ayre ,
common to all the world ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,12.45)

but Tyrants , and civil Customs , Warres , and want of Love have made
them proper and peculiar . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,12.46)

But when Christianity came to renew our nature , and to rest ore our
lawes , and to increase her priviledges , and to make her aptness to
becom Religion , then it was declared that our Friendships were to be
as universal as our conversation ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,12.47)

that is , <font> actual </font> to all with whom we converse , and
<font> potentially extended </font> unto those with whom we did not .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,12.48)

For he who was to treat his enemies with forgiveness and prayers , and
love , and beneficence was indeed to have no enemies , and to have all
friends . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,12.49)

So that to your question , how far a Dear & perfect Friendship is
authoriz'd <P_13> by the principles of Christianity ? The answer is
ready and easie . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.50)

It is warranted to extend to all Mankind ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.51)

and the more we love , the better we are , (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.52)

and the greater our friendships are , the dearer we are to God ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.53)

let them be as Dear , and let them be as perfect , and let them be as
many as you can ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.54)

there is no danger in it ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.55)

onely where the restraint begins , there begins our imperfection ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.56)

it is not ill that you entertain brave Friendships and worthy societies
: (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.57)

it were well if you could <font> love </font> . and if you could <font>
benefit </font> all Mankind ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.58)

for I conceive that is the sum of all Friendships .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.59)

I confess this is not to be expected of us in this world ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,13.60)

but as all our graces here are but imperfect , that is , at the best
they are but tendencies to glory , so our <P_14> Friendships are
imperfect too , and but beginnings of a coelestial Friendship , by
which we shall love every one as much as they can be loved .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.61)

But then so we must here <font> in our proportion </font> ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.62)

and indeed that is it that can make the difference ;
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.63)

we must be friends to all : (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.64)

That is , apt to do good , loving them really , and doing to them all
the benefits which we can , and which they are capable of .
(JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.65)

The Friendship is equall to all the World , (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.66)

and of it self hath no difference ; (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.67)

but is differenced onely by accidents , and by the capacity or
incapacity of them that receive it . (JETAYLORMEAS-E3-P1,14.68)