Tractatus duo

C A P. II.

Among whom true friendship may be contracted.

A decorative drop cap Q.Although many kinds of association are gifted with the name of friendship, nevertheless only one kind among them all ought to be called true friendship. This, however, can be contracted and exist only among the faithful and Christians, who are led by the spirit and fear of God.

For when infidels agree among themselves about some matter, they do it either for the sake of reward and gain, or for pleasure, or finally for the sake of their own honor, all of which ends are most alien to true friendship. Therefore, it can only exist among the faithful of God. For between a faithful person and an infidel, no society or agreement of minds can exist which might be called friendship: since Paul orders us to depart far from that kind of man referencing 2 Corinthians 6:14. Although some common conversation with infidels is granted to us, as much as the society and necessity of this human life requires for the fulfillment of mutual duties, nevertheless, that familiar and frequent and friendly association with them is to be avoided, from which a certain more secret friendship is contracted referencing 1 Corinthians 5:1; 2 Thessalonians 3:14. Thus it was initiated between David and Jonathan, both of whom were pious and God-fearing. For likes are most easily gathered with likes, as the proverb says.