Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsJude 1

For the body of Moyses.

^◦ When, why, or how this altercation or combat was between S. Michael and the Devil about Moyses' body, no man can declare, only this we see that many truths and stories were kept in the mouths and hearts of the faithful, that were not written in Scriptures canonical, as this was among the Jews.

• ◦ Truths unwritten, and known by tradition.

They blaspheme.

^◦ He speaketh of Heretics, who being ignorant in God's mysteries and the divine doctrine of his Church, when they cannot reprove the things, then they fall to execrations, irrisions, and blasphemies against the Priests, Church, and Sacraments, and whatsoever is godly.

• ◦ Ignorance maketh Heretics blaspheme.

Cain, Balaam, Core.

^◦ The Apostle would have Heretics Specially to be known by the resemblance they have, first to Cain, in that for envy that his brother's service and sacrifice was accepted and his rejected, slew his said brother, and was a fugitive from the face and city of God, which is the Church. Secondly, by their resemblance to Balaam, who for money was induced to curse God's people, as covetousness is commonly the cause that first maketh Heretics and false Prophets. whereupon S. Augustine saith, He is an Heretic that for temporal commodity's sake either coineth or followeth new opinions. S. August. li. de Util. cred. cap. 1. And lastly by the resemblance they have with the ancient and notorious Schismatic Core, and his companions, who forsook the ordinary Priesthood appointed by God, and would needs do sacrifice themselves without lawful calling.

Such indeed be all Heretics, and such be all their sacraments, service, and offices in their Church, as Core's were in his schismatical tabernacles. And as pride was the cause of his revolting from the obedience of Moyses and Aaron his Priests and true Governors: so is intolerable pride the cause of all Heretics forsaking their lawful Pastors and Rulers, and namely of forsaking Christ's own Vicar in earth, our true Aaron, as S. Bernard calleth him. De consid. li. 2. cap. 8. To all such forsakers the Apostle here giveth the curse and Væ due to the said three, Cain, Balaam, and Core, and telleth them that the storm of darkness and eternal damnation is provided for them: most lively describing all Heretics (as in some we to our woe have experience by their manners in our days) in all this passage even to the end of the epistle.

• ◦ Heretics resembled to Cain, Balaam, and Core.

These are they which segregate themselves.

^◦ The conditions of Heretics in the later days, that is, ever since Christ's time, not of these only of our age. For there were many that forsook God's Church and segregated themselves from the fellowship of the faithful even in the primitive Church: that we may the less marvel at these men's segregating themselves, and going out from the rest, into several sects, which S. Augustine therefore calleth Segregations.

• ◦ All Heretics segregate themselves.