A Practical Commentary on the Epistle of Jude

3. Though th•se that separate be the fewer yet that nothing varieth the case; Noah and eight persons went into the Ark, and left the world in infidelity; Lot got out of Sodom with one family; Elijah was left alone to contest with Baals Priests, not the greater, but the better part is to be regarded; Jacobs family was fewer then the Canaanites, and Israel less then the rest of the world; Gods witnesses at the first may be but a very handful.

3. Though th•se that separate be the fewer yet that nothing varyeth the case; Noah and eight persons went into the Ark, and left the world in infidelity; Lot got out of Sodom with one family; Elijah was left alone to contest with Baals Priests, not the greater, but the better part is to be regarded; Jacobs family was fewer then the Cananites, and Israel less then the rest of the world; Gods witnesses at the first may be but a very handful.

4. A separation from corruptions, and a separation from those that are corrupt, are two distinct things; a separation from corruptions is always enjoined, but not always from those that are corrupted, those Scriptures, Isa. 52. 11. and 2 Cor. 6. 17. speak of a fellowship with men in evil works; but now a separation from men that are corrupt, is sometimes lawful, Rev. 18. 4. Come out of her my people, &c. and Jer. 51. 9. She would not be healed, &c. we may separate from such as separate from Christ, and continue obstinate in their corruptions; and sometimes 'tis not lawful, as when a Church is is reforming, and purging out these corruptions, or they are not of such moment as that such a desperate remedy should be used; a limb is not to be cut ⟨p. 495⟩