A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

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, Gen. 4. 19. He went out from the presence of the Lord, God is every where, how, from his presence? the meaning is, from the Church, where is the presence of his grace; why should we run from the Shepherds Tents where Christ feedeth at noon? Cant. 1. 9. 10. And as 'tis contrary to our love to God, so to our love to the Saints, to which we are so solemnly engaged; the question of separation lieth much in the dark, but obligations to love are clear and open, see Eph. 4. 4. 5, 6. 'Tis sad that many that pretend much to Religion make no conscience of Schism, and offending the brethren, by withdrawing from them, as if Christs precepts of love were not to be stood upon, as certainly they are not by them who draw their liberty to the highest, and in indifferent matters rather take that course which will offend.

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 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, seditious heresies. or sectmakings in the Church among the works of the flesh, Gal. 5. 20