A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

3. Not having the spirit; this is added, not only to show that they were destitute of true grace and regeneration: partly to rebuke their vain pretences; the Gnostics and other filthy seducers of that time, did arrogate to them▪ selves a singularity and peculiarity of the spirit, as if all others were carnal, they only had the spirit, whereas indeed the contrary was true, they giving up themselves to such filthy practises, showed that they had nothing of the spirit in them; see Iraeneus, lib. 1. cap. 9. sect. 6, 7. Partly to show the incompatibleness of the spirit with a fleshly and carnal life.

3. Not having the spirit; this is added, not only to shew that they were destitute of true grace and regeneration: partly to rebuke their vain pretences; the Gnosticks and other filthy seducers of that time, did arrogate to them▪ selves a singularity and peculiarity of the spirit, as if all others were carnal, they only had the spirit, whereas indeed the contrary was true, they giving up themselves to such filthy practises, shewed that they had nothing of the spirit in them; see Iraeneus, lib. 1. cap. 9. sect. 6, 7. Partly to shew the incompatibleness of the spirit with a fleshly and carnal life.

Notes from hence are these.

That separation or dividing our selves from the fellowship of Gods Church is sinful, or a work of the flesh: The Apostle describeth carnal persons, and of them he saith, They separate themselves, and accordingly the Apostle reckoneth [Greek or Hebrew], seditious heresies. or sect-makings in the Church among the works of the flesh, Gal. 5. 20. and with good reason, to leave the Church is to leave God; Cain was the first separatist we read of,