THE ARGVMENT OF THE EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO TITVS.
THAT Titus vvas a Gentil, and not a Ievv, and that he vvas in S. Paules traine, at the least the 14 yere after his conuersion, if not before, vve vnderstand by the Epistle to the Galatians c. 2. And that he continued vvith him to the very end, appeareth in the second to Ti∣mothee c. 4. Vvhere he maketh mention that he sent him from Rome into Dalmatia, vvhen him self vvas shortly after to be put to death.
And therefore although S. Luke neuer name him in the Actes, as neither him self, yet no doubt he comprehendeth him commonly, vvhen he speaketh thus in the first person plurall: Forthvvith vve sought to goe into Macedonia. Act, 16. For S. Paul also sent him to Corinth, betvvene the vvriting of his 1 & 2 to the Corinthians (vvhich time concurreth vvith Act. 19) by occasion vvhereof he maketh much and honorable mention of him in the said second Epistle c▪ 2. &c. 7. and againe * he sent him vvith the same Epistle: both times about great matters: so that no doubt he vvas euen then also a Bishop, and receiued accordingly of the Corinthians, vvith feare and trembling. 2. Cor. 7, v. 15. But the same is plainer in this Epistle to him self c. 1. v. 5. Vvhere the Apostle saith: for this cause I left thee at Crete, &c. By vvhich vvordes it is manifest also, that this Epistle vvas not vvritten during the storie of the Actes (seing that no mention is there of S. Paules being in the ile of Crete) but after his dismission at Rome out of his first trouble, and before his second or last trouble there, as is euident by these vvordes: Vvhen I shall send to thee Artemas or Tychicus, make hast to come to me to Nicopolis, for there I haue determined to vvinter. Tit. 3.
Therefore he instructeth him (and in him, all Bishops) much like as he doth Timothee, vvhat qualities he must require in them that he shall make priests and Bishops, in vvhat sort to preach, and to teach al sortes of men, to commend good vvorkes vnto them: finally, him self to be their example in all goodnes.