An expositon of all St. Pauls epistles together with an explanation of those other epistles of the apostles St. James, Peter, John & Jude : wherein the sense of every chapter and verse is analytically unfolded and the text enlightened. / David Dickson ...

CHAP. II.

IN this Chapter is handled the inforcing of sound Do∣ctrine upon all, according to the age, sex, and con∣dition of every one in the Family, and by which they are to compose their lives unto holiness, to vers. 11. And whereby their Faith may bee stablished in the Grace of God, from whence (as from a fountain) hee will have the fruits of their obedience flow forth in their conversation, to the end.

Vers. 1. But speak thou the things which become sound Doctrine:

That hee may really oppose himself to the vanity of these Teachers, hee commands in general, that Titus inculcate the Doctrine, which makes for holiness and salvation.

Vers. 2. That the aged men bee sober, grave, tempe∣rate, sound in Faith, in Charity, in Patience.

Hee commands five things in particular. First, Con∣cerning old men, that hee instruct them about these four things. (1) That they adorn their old age with virtues befitting their age, viz. That they bee sober, taking heed of drunkenness. (2) That they bee grave, and re∣verend, and free from youthful wantonness. (3) That they bee temperate, prudent, i. e. that in every action they demean themselves temperately. (4) That they bee sound, and no waies counterfeit, in Faith, Cha∣rity, Hope manifested by Patience.

Vers. 3. The aged women, likewise, that they bee in behaviour, as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much Wine, teachers of good things.

Secondly, Concerning aged women hee commands, that hee teach the Matrons these five duties. (1) That in their cloathing and behaviour, and the whole deport∣ment of their bodies, they observe comeliness. (2) That they bee not false accusers, injuring the reputation of o∣thers by their falshoods. (3) That they bee not given to drinking. (4) That they teach the younger women, not old wives fables, but those things that are good and ho∣nest.

Vers. 4. That they may teach the young women to bee sober, to love their Husbands, to love their Chil∣dren,

5. To bee discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, o∣bedient to their own Husbands, that the Word of God bee not blasphemed.

(5) That they teach the younger women (to whom they may have more free access, than Ministers can) prudence and modesty, and that they love their own Husbands, and Children with a Regular and Christian love; And that they bee discreet, chaste, keepers at home, not wandring out of their families, courteous, obedient to their own Husbands, that the Christian Doctrine bee not evil spoken of for their sakes.

Vers. 6. Young men likewise exhort to bee sober-minded.

Thirdly, Hee gives Titus charge about young men, that hee exhort them to bee prudent or sober-minded.

Vers. 7. In all things shewing thy self a pattern of good works: in Doctrine shewing incorruptness, gravity, sincerity.

8. Sound speech that cannot bee condemned, that hee that is of the contrary part, may bee ashamed, ha∣ving no evil thing to say of you.

Fourthly, Concerning Pastors in the person of Titus, to this end, that their Doctrine might the better take place, hee commands that Titus shew himself an ex∣ample for others to imitate in every good work, but espe∣cially that in Doctrine hee shew forth uncorruptness of the sound Truth, gravity of authority, and his manner of speech fitted to the edification of his Auditors, that the Adversary may have nothing justly to c••rpat.

Vers. 9. Exhort servants to bee obedient unto their own Masters, and to please them well in all things, not answering again:

10. Not purloyning, but shewing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the Doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

Fifthly, Concerning servants hee gives command, That hee instruct servants about their duties. (1) That they bee obedient to their own Masters (though Infidels) observing all their lawful commands. (2) That servants indeavour to please their own Masters, and an∣swer not again, when they command them hard services, or reprove them more severely than is fitting, (3) Lastly, That they steal nothing from their Masters, but shew themselves faithful in all things; whereof hee gives the reason, that the Doctrine of the Gospel may bee adorned by them in all things, and may bee ac∣knowledged for Divine, as that which is so effectual, that it makes men under the hardest tearms of servitude, patient in their condition, and in their calling honest and faithful.

The Second Part.

Vers. 11. For the Grace of God that bringeth salva∣tion, hath appeared to all men.

The second part of the Chapter touching the Doctrine of Faith, follows, which hee subjoyns as the fountain, from whence virtue is fetched, for the performance of the foresaid duties: For they cannot bee Christian duties, except grace to perform them bee derived from Christ by Faith. For in this the works of regenerate and un∣regenerate men materially good, do differ: That the works of these are done by the enemies of God, from the corrupt strength of free will, for carnal ends, without a∣ny respect to the glory of God: But the works of rege∣nerate men are done by the servants of God, reconciled

by Faith, from the fountain of saving Grace, which administers knowledge and strength to their performan∣ces. And this Doctrine of Faith is propounded, by way of confirmation of the Precepts, or the Doctrine of man∣ners, upon four Reasons, All which prove that the afore∣said virtues are to bee endeavored after.

Hath appeared] Reas. 1. Because the Gospel of the Grace of God bringing salvation of all kinds to men, being published and manifested, hath appeared to all sorts of men: Therefore it is meet, that men of all sorts, shew their thankfulness to God in an holy conversation, prosecuting the foresaid virtues.

Vers. 12. Teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, wee should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world:

Reas. 2. Because this Gospel of God doth not onely teach us what duties wee are bound to perform, but also instructs us how to draw strength from the fountain of the Grace of Christ, from his death and resurrection, to deny ungodliness, and worldly lusts, and to live so∣berly, as to our selves; justly, as to our neighbours; and holily, as to God: Therefore ought wee to bee ready for the performance of these duties.

Vers. 13. Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Iesus Christ.

Reas. 3. Because wee expect eternal life at the second coming of Christ, who is the great God, one with the Fa∣ther and the Holy Ghost, and our Saviour: Therefore it behoves us to bee armed and stirred up to follow after all the foresaid good works, which God requireth of us.

Vers. 14. Who gave himself for us, that hee might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works.

Reas. 4. Because therefore Christ offered up himself for us, that hee might effectually redeem us from the bondage of sin, and purchase us to himself, as a peculiar people, that wee might follow after good works: Therefore if wee would not have that Redemption to bee void as to us, wee must of necessity forsake our sins, and follow after the foresaid virtues, and newness of life.

Vers. 15. These things speak and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

Hee repeats the command of attending to his Do∣ctrine, willing him to insist upon these things, i. e. That hee sharpen his exhortations and reproofs with Authori∣ty; which Authority hee commands that no Professor despise, and that Titus do nothing that may expose him to contempt.