A89503:1064
A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude
A practical commentary, or An exposition with notes on the Epistle of Jude. Delivered (for the most part) in sundry weekly lectures at Stoke-Newington in Middlesex. By Thomas Manton, B.D. and minister of Covent-Garden.
London: printed by J.M. for Luke Fawn, 1658
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Thus you see the evils of Schism or separation; but because this is many times perversely charged, we must look a little more into the nature of it; the Spouse had her Veil rent, and Gods own people have been burdened with the imputation of Schism and Faction; it will concern us to state what separation is sinful: In general, such as dissolveth that union and love which should be among Christians, or an unnecessary, unjust or rash departure from fellowship, and communion with one another in the Ordinances of Christ.
Thus you see the evils of Schism or separation; but because this is many times perversely charged, we must look a little more into the nature of it; the Spouse had her Vail rent, and Gods own people have been burdened with the imputation of Schism and Faction; it will concern us to state what separa•ion is sinful: In general, such as dissolveth that union and love which should be among Christians, or an unnecessary, unjust or rash departure from fellowship, and communion with one another in the Ordinances of Christ.
This separation 1. Supposeth that there was Once an union; we cannot be said to separate from the world of infidels, as Pagans, Turks, Jews, with whom we were never united, as water when the Ice is dissolved cannot be said to be separated (in the sense we now take it.) from bodies Heterogeneal, as stars, wood, &c. because never united with them but by accident, aggregation there is, but not properly a separation; separation is a dissolution of union, as when one Church separateth from another, who are united in the same body, as parts of the Church universal, or one or more persons from the same particular Congregation of ⟨p. 494⟩which they are members: I only add to this proposition, That this union is to be understood not only of what it is de facto, but what ought to be, de jure; thus persons that ought to join themselves but out of schismatical principles do not, nor never did, join themselves to the Churches of Christ, may be guilty of this sinful separation, because there is an union required.