They Separate Themselves

Theyseparatethemselves

Jude 1:19

Thesebetheywhoseparatethemselves,.... Notfromsinnersopenlyprofane;suchaseparationiscommendable, beingaccordingtothewillandwordofGod, tothemindandpracticeofChrist, andwhichtendstothegoodofmen, andtothegloryofGod;butfromthesaintsandpeopleofGod;itispossiblethatachildofGodmayforatimeleavethefellowshipofthesaints, butanentireandtotalforsakingofthem, andofassemblingwiththem, lookswithanillaspect;nordidtheyseparatethemselvesfromsuperstitionandwillworship, andeveryfalsewayofworship, whichwouldhavebeenright, butfromthepureworship, ordinances, anddisciplineofGod'shouse, byaperversionofthem, andasbeingabovethem, orunwillingtobeunderanynoticeandgovernment;notfromerrorsandheresies, andpersonsthatheldthem, withthesetheyherded;butfromthepuredoctrinesoftheGospel, andministersoftheword, andmadedivisionsandseparationsamongthechurches, fromChurchcommunioninitsvital, spiritualreality:foroutwardlytheytookpartinChurchordinances, forworldlyends, andthroughprideandaffectationofvainglory, asiftheyweremoreknowing, moreholy, andmorespiritualthanothermen:Arrogantsettingupofthemselves, ashavinggreatersanctityandawisdomandpeculiardoctrine, distinctfromothers, isimpliedwhentheywere

sensual;suchasgavethemselvesuptosensuallustsandpleasures;andatbestwerebutnaturalmen, whohadonlynaturalandrationalabilities, butwithoutspiritualandexperimentalknowledge:henceitfollows,

havingnottheSpirit;thoughtheymighthavesomeexternalgiftsoftheSpirit;orhehimselfdwellinginthemasaspiritofconvictionandillumination, asaspiritofregenerationandsanctification, asaspiritoffaithandcomfort, asaspiritofadoption, andastheearnestandpledgeoftheheavenlyglory;theywerenotunderhisinfluence, nordidtheyfeeltheoperationsofhisgrace, norhadtheycommunionwithhim:hencetheyappearedtobenoneofChrist's, norcouldtheyclaiminterestinhim, andwerewithoutlife, andsocouldnotpersevere.

Jude 1:19

Whoseparatethemselves - FromthetrueChurch, whichtheyleavefromanaffectationofsuperiorwisdom.

Sensual - Ψυχικοι·Animal - livingasbrutebeasts, guidedsimplybytheirownlustsandpassions, theirBiblebeingthemanifolddevicesandcovetousnessoftheirownhearts;1Co 2:14, Jam3:15fortheyhavenottheSpirit - theyarenotspirituallyminded;andhavenoHolyGhost, noinspirationfromGod.

Jude 1:19

Thesebetheywhoseparatethemselves - Thatis, fromtheirbrethrenandfromtheworkofbenevolenceandtruth.

Sensual - Undertheinfluenceofgrosspassionsandappetites.

Havingnotthespirit - TheHolySpirit, orthespiritoftruereligion.

Thesearethosewhoseparate,etc., Sensualists aretheworstseparatists.TheyseparatethemselvesfromGod, andChrist, andhischurch, tothedevil, theworld, andtheflesh, bytheirungodlycoursesandviciouspractices;andthisisagreatdealworsethanseparationfromanyparticularbranchofthevisiblechurchonaccountofopinionsormodesandcircumstancesofexternalgovernmentorworship, thoughmanycanpatientlybearwiththeformer, whiletheyareplentifullyandalmostperpetuallyrailingatthelatter, asifnosinweredamnablebutwhattheyarepleasedtocallschism.SensualmenhavenottheSpirit, thatis, ofGodandChrist, theSpiritofholiness, whichwhoeverhasnot, isnoneofChrist's,doesnotbelongtohim, Rom8:9. Theworseothersarethebettershouldweendeavorandapproveourselvestobe;themorebusySatanandhisinstrumentsaretopervertothers, injudgmentorpractice, themoretenaciousshouldwebeofsounddoctrineandagoodconversation, holdingfastthefaithfulword, aswehavebeen(divinely)taught, holdingthemysteryofthefaithinapureconscience,Tit1:9; 1Ti 3:9.