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 ...

The Epistle of Paul to TITVS, Analytically expounded.

THE CONTENTS.

WHen Paul had onely laid the foundation of a Church in the Isle of Crete, which is also called Candia, making haste to some other place, as it became the Apostle of the Gentiles, hee leaves Titus, and enjoyns him as an Evangelist to prosecute the work. But when Paul understood that hee was contemned by some, and that hee might bee brought into fur∣ther contempt by those that were obstinate, as if hee had been a common Pastor; Paul invests him with Authority, and puts upon him, as it were his own person, as well in ma∣king Ministers, as in the whole administration of the Church, and encourages him to go for∣ward in the work of the Lord. Besides the Preface and Conclusion, there are three parts of the Epistle, according to the number of the Chapters. The first is concerning the Election of Ministers, Chap 1. The second is concerning the duties of each ranck in the Family, Chap. 2. The third is concerning the duties of all Christians, Chap. 3.

CHAP. I.

AFter the Preface to vers. 5. Hee instructs Titus a∣bout the chusing of Pastors, shewing who are to bee admitted, to vers. 10. and who are to bee rejected, to the end.

Vers. 1. Paul a servant of God, and an Apostle of Ie∣sus Christ, according to the Faith of Gods Elect, and the acknowledging of the Truth, which is after godliness.

The Preface contains three things. (1) A description of the Pen-man, vers. 1, 2, 3. (2) A description of him to whom hee writes. (3) A salutation with an Apostoli∣cal benediction, vers. 3, 4.

In the description of the Pen-man Paul, his authori∣ty is asserted from these eight heads. (1) That hee is a servant of God, and that is maintained against the Jews, who reproached him as a deserter of the Religion of his Country. (2) That hee is an Apostle of Iesus Christ, who by an immediate commission to all Nations, held the su∣preme degree of Ministry in the Church. (3) That his Doctrine agrees with the Faith of Abraham, and the Fa∣thers, and all the Elect, which every one of them that are elected would receive, none but Reprobates would reject, because it contains nothing but the known and acknowledged Truth, instructing men to godliness and the pure worship of God.

Vers. 2. In hope of eternal life, which God that can∣not lye, promised before the world began.

Hee adjoyns the remaining commendations of his Do∣ctrine, and the Arguments of his Authority. (4) That it brings a lively hope of eternal life to Beleevers. (5) That it is upheld by the testimony of God, that cannot lye, or it is impossible for him to lye, or to speak what is not, or not to bee able to effect what hee saith. (6) That the original of this Truth is most Ancient, inasmuch as God hath promised eternal life, not onely in the beginning of the world, preaching it to our first Parents in paradise, but also covenanting with his Son (designed to bee our Mediatour) about it before the world was made, in the Covenant of Redemption. (7) That this Truth was most wisely revealed, i. e. by degrees, and in conve∣nient seasons, as it seemed good to God, it was made known, and now is openly manifested by the preaching of the Gospel.

Vers. 3. But hath in due times manifested his word

through preaching, which is committed unto mee, ac∣cording to the Commandement of God our Sa∣viour:

(8) That the charge of preaching this Gospel, by special Ordination and deputation of our Saviour Christ, was committed to him: And this is the description of Paul the Pen-man of this Epistle: The description of Titus to whom hee writes, follows; Hee is called Pauls own Son, not according to the flesh, but first, after the common faith, which hee received from the Doctrine of the Apostle, whose Disciple hee also was, and his con∣tinual auditor, being alwayes in his company: Again, because hee had fully received the impression of the faith preached by the Apostle, and expressed it to the life in his Doctrine. Lastly, because hee resembled Paul, as it were an image, in his manner of life and conversa∣tion.

Vers. 4. To Titus mine own son after the common faith, Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father, and the Lord Iesus Christ our Saviour.

In his salutation hee blesses Titus, from God through Christ, wishing and applying to him, First, Grace, i. e. That is the gifts of the Holy Ghost, both necessary to his own salvation, and his calling in the Ministry. Se∣condly, Mercy, i. e. Remission of sins, or infirmities, in the exercise of the gifts bestowed upon him. Thirdly, Peace, i. e. Happiness from the fountain of Grace, by degrees to bee accomplished.

Vers. 5. For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain Elders in every City, as I had appointed thee.

This Preface being premised, that hee might instruct Titus about the choosing of Ministers, in the first place, hee repeats three general Precepts which he gave to Titus, when hee went from Crete. First, That Titus finish, in the Constitution of the Churches, that which the Apostle had begun; Then that hee appoint Elders (i. e. all ordinary Governours of the Church) in every City, wherein the faithful, lately converted, dwelt. Thirdly, That in this business hee carry not himself after his own will, but follow the rule set him by the Apostle, as hee had or∣dained.

Vers. 6. If any bee blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children, not accused of riot, or unruly.

In the second place hee sets down three things requisite in Elders, or Governours onely, or of Teachers also: (1) That they bee not defamed, to the derogation of their Authority. Again that they bee not guilty of Po∣lygamy, too frequent in those times: And lastly, That their whole family bee a mirrour of honest and chaste Discipline, i. e. That their children bee brought up in the faith, accustomed to temperance and frugality, free from profuseness and luxury, and patterns of obedience: For hee esteemed it very necessary that the family of an El∣der should bee rightly ordered, if the wife and children understood, that upon conjecture of their evil manners and conversations, the Master of the Family might bee cast out of his Ecclesiastical Office.

Vers. 7. For a Bishop must bee blameless, as the steward of God: not self-willed, nor soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre.

In the third place, because amongst the Elders, they that labour in the Word and Doctrine are the chief; the properties of this Elder, whom hee calls a Bishop, are twelve, whereof hee spake in the former Epistle to Timothy. (1) Hee ought to bee free from any just blame, lest his Authority be diminished, yea so far from blame, that nothing bee found in him unworthy the steward of God, who ought to bee so much the more blameless, by how much his office is more holy. (2) Hee ought not to bee self-willed, or such an one that obstinately pleases himself, for hee that is too self-willed, is ready to dis∣please all others. (3) Not soon angry, for hee that is so, cannot bear with the infirmities of the people of God, or regard them. (4) Not given to wine and drunken∣ness. (5) Not contentious; No striker. (6) Not given to filthy lucre, free from covetousness.

Vers. 8. But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate,

This hee confirms, because it is requisite, that accord∣ing to his abilities hee bee ready to receive strangers, or the banished servants of God. (7) That hee esteem and love good men, such as excel others. For it is the sign of a man of little honesty, to hate those that are good, upon any pretence. (8) That in all things hee bee modest, sober, of a sound minde, or prudent. (9) That hee bee just, desirous to restore every man his own. (10) That hee bee pious and holy, who by his life and conversation may teach others. (11) That hee bee con∣tinent and temperate, having dominion over his affecti∣ons 〈…〉〈…〉.

〈…〉〈…〉. Holding fast the faithful word, as hee hath been taught, that hee may be able by sound Doctrine both to exhort, and to convince the gain-sayers.

(12) That hee bee not a Divine onely, but that by faith hee cleave to the truth, not onely able to feed the flock, but to stop the mouthes of barking Wolves.

The Second Part of the Chapter.

Vers. 10. For there are many unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers, especially they of the Circumcision:

The second part of the Chapter follows, wherein hee gives an account of what diligence and care ought to bee used in the choosing of Pastors, viz. Because false Teachers did at that time abound: Hee also describes those whom hee would have rejected from this Office, whereof are, (1) unruly or refractory, who will not bee reduced into order, casting off the yoak of subjection, or of the Eldership, or of any other lawful jurisdiction, whether they bee such as withdraw themselves from obe∣dience to Authority, either Natural or Civil, to whom they ought to submit in the Lord. (2) Vain talkers, who given to vain boasting, follow after vain subtilties, or frigid and trifling speculations, which conduce no∣thing to holiness, and the fear of God. (3) Deceivers, or seducers of mens mindes, who either by their corrupt Doctrine, corrupt the Gospel, or by their fair rhetorical speeches so inchant (as it were) the mindes of men, that they will no longer admit the sound way of teach∣ing: Of which sort, for example sake, hee points out the Jews Doctors to bee, who dwelt in Crete.

Vers. 11. whose mouthes must bee stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucres sake.

Hee advises him that these are not onely to bee refuted, but forbidden to preach either publickly or privately; whereof hee gives seven Reasons:

Reas. 1. Because they draw whole Families from sound Doctrine, and drive them to perdition, and that either by teaching errours, or by ill applying the general Doctrine, to foment the lusts of men, and that for filthy lucres sake.

Vers. 12. One of themselves, even a Prophet of their own said, The Cretians are always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

Reas. 2. Because they followed the disposition of their Nation, lyars, given to idleness, serving their own in∣temperance, and bellies, like beasts, which hee proves by the testimony of the Cretian Poet, Calimachus or Epime∣nides, to which Testimony Paul himself assents.

Vers. 13. This witness is true; wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may bee sound in the faith.

Reas. 3. Because a severe reproof of this kinde of Teachers, and the Cretian Disciples cleaving to them, was very conduceable to the procuring and maintaining of their soundness in the faith: Therefore they were se∣verely to bee reproved.

Vers. 14. Not giving heed to Iewish fables, and com∣mandements of men, that turn from the Truth.

Reas. 4. Lest otherwise the Cretians should attend to fabulous traditions, and Jewish fictions, touching Legal Ceremonies, and the Precepts of these kind of men, who could not beat the pure Doctrine of Christ, but indea∣voured to corrupt it with their leaven.

Vers. 15. Unto the pure all things are pure, but unto them that are defiled, and unbeleeving, is nothing pure: but even their mind and conscience is de∣filed.

Reas. 5. Because the truth of Christianity hath deter∣mined contrary to the Precepts of these Judaizing Teachers, asserting, That to the pure, all things are pure, i. e. to Christians, purged from their sins by Faith in Christ, all meats, and other creatures, which were un∣clean by the Ceremonial Law, were now lawful after Christ was exhibited, that the faithful may use them with a good conscience.

Defiled] Reas. 6. Because the same 〈…〉〈…〉, that nothing can bee used purely by them, who are not justified by Faith in Christ, but that their minds and consciences which falsely acquit them, being not renewed, are polluted: and so hee convinces them of vanity, who from the observation of Ceremonies endeavour to attain to holiness.

Vers. 16. They profess that they know God, but in works they deny him, being abominable and diso∣bedient, and to every good work reprobate.

Reas. 7. Because although those Teachers did pro∣fess themselves worshipers of God, yet in works they de∣nied him, because they were enemies to the Righteous∣ness which is by Faith, and to the fruits of the Spirit, wherefore they were abominable hypocrites, rebells a∣gainst the Truth of God, and unmeet for the perfor∣mance of any good work: From which reasons it is ma∣nifest, that those false Teachers are to bee restrained, that they teach neither in publick nor private.

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.

CHAP. III.

HEE proceeds to instruct Titus in his office, to which end hee adds eight other Precepts.

Vers. 1. Put them in mind to bee subject to principa∣lities and powers, to obey Magistrates, to bee ready to every good work.

Precept 1. That hee command all Christians, quiet∣ly to give respect to Civil Order, i. e. That they submit themselves to the supreme Magistrate, and the inferiour Powers or Magistrates, that they bee obedient to Ci∣vil Laws, and shew themselves ready and chearful to e∣very good work, for the promoting of which, Magi∣strates are appointed.

Vers. 2. To speak evil of no man, to bee no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

Precept 2. Of the duties of Charity towards any our of the Church, or within it, these duties are four. (1) That they respect the credit and reputation of o∣thers, speaking evil of no man. (2) That they bee free from strifes and contentions. (3) That they follow after moderation and equity, being ready (when need requires) to part from their private right. (4) That they bee gentle towards all, even the worst of men.

Vers. 3. For wee our selves also were sometime foo∣lish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts, and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Hee gives two Reasons why gentleness should bee shewed towards some.

Reas. 1. Because wee before our conversion were such, as they now are; wee are all of us by nature, upon many considerations to bee blamed, yet wee desired to bee treated courteously and mildly by all: Therefore let us deal accordingly with those who are not yet converted: Hee sets down five diseases of our Natures. (1) Wee were foolish, because all the wisdome of men is meer va∣nity, so long as wee know not God, for wee are igno∣rant of the right rule, and the true fountain, and the due end of our actions. (2) Disobedient, Because men by nature, do nothing of those things which either God or conscience command, but that which pleases themselves. (3) Straying, viz. from the true way which leads to eternal life, and being deceived with errours, they go further off from God daily. (4) Serving, with delight, divers lusts and pleasures, which reign together, and as it were, by turns challenge a dominion over all the un∣regenerate. (5) Wee were destitute of the true love of God, living in malice and envy, rejoycing in the hurt, and sorry for the good that befalls our neighbour: ha∣ting one another, when all of us were most worthy to bee hated of God.

Vers. 4. But after that the kindness, and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

Reas. 2. Because wee, although perverse, yet at length were converted by the Grace of God: Therefore ought wee to use gentleness towards those that are un∣converted, and hope well of them, who may possibly bee converted by the same Divine Grace.

Kindness] Hee explains this reason, and commends the grace that was shewed to us in our conversion, and proves it by eleven Reasons.

Reas. 1. From the more remote cause, viz. the good∣ness and kindness of God, which rejoyceth to put forth it self for our advantage, and to communicate good to us.

Reas. 2. From the neerer cause, which is 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the love of God, wherewith God is affected to man-kind above all other creatures.

Reas. 3. From the instrumental cause, or the man∣ner of revealing the Gospel, which hath no less gra∣ciously shined forth upon us, and without our procure∣ment, than the Sun (from whence the similitude of shi∣ning forth or appearing is fetch't) rises upon us without our help.

Reas. 4. From the next cause of our conversion, which is the effectual manifestation of God, as a Saviour, made to us, who as soon as hee manifests himself to our hearts, not as our Judge to condemn us, but as our Saviour, to save us, by this manifestation of himself hee draws our hearts to him, and converts us.

Vers. 5. Not by works of Righteousness, which wee have done, but according to his mercy hee saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

Reas. 5. By way of removing all our works, and all merit in us, which either went in time before our effe∣ctual calling, or which could bee fore-seen and conside∣red, as if wee had done them.

Reas. 6. Expresly affirming that mercy is the cause of salvation,

Reas. 7. Making God the Author of the Sacraments, or the external means of salvation, and also the Author of our regeneration, and so of the internal means where∣by wee are led to salvation (conceive the same of other means) which are not from our selves, but the Holy

Ghost, or God the sole Author, who alone without us instituted the layer of Baptism for a Sacrament, and the grace signified by Baptism (viz. the washing of us from the filth of our sins, and the renewing of the Image of God in righteousness and holiness) hee alone works in us.

Vers. 6. Which hee shed on us abundantly, through Iesus Christ our Saviour.

Reas. 8. From the meritorious cause of the graces of the Spirit, plentifully shed upon us, which is Jesus Christ our Saviour, both the fountain from whom, and the chanel through whom, the grace of God is conveighed to us.

Vers. 7. That being justified by his grace, wee should bee made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Reas. 9. From the nature of free Justification, seeing wee are justified not by works, but by the grace of Christ.

Reas. 10. From the manner of entring upon life eter∣nal, to the possession whereof, wee are admitted, not as buyers or Merchants, but as heirs appointed.

Reas. 11. From the instrumental cause, hope, or faith, which relye upon the free promises of God (not any of our merits) and altogether exclude our works, so that wee are made heirs of life, according to the hope, which the promises of God have given to us.

Vers. 8. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, That they which have be∣leeved in God, might bee careful to maintain good works; these things are good and profitable unto men.

9. But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentious, and strivings about the Law, for they are unprofitable, and vain.

The third Precept is this, That hee conjoyn with the Doctrine of faith, the Doctrine of good works, pro∣ceeding from faith, and urge it with Authority, and see that the faithful maintain, or bee Patrons of good works, seeing life is freely bestowed upon them: Hee gives two Reasons of the Precept. Reas. 1. Because this saying concerning this Precept is a faithfull saying, or wor∣thy to bee beleeved, and most necessary and true, which cannot frustrate or deceive those that obey it.

Good] Reas. 2. Because this kinde of Doctrine is good and profitable unto men, because it tends to the glory of God, the confirmation of our selves, touching the certainty of salvation, and to the edification of o∣thers in the faith, and the conversion of Infidels.

Foolish] Precept 4. That hee restrain foolish que∣stions, wherewith men use to intangle themselves, and to hinder themselves from holding any thing firmly in the known truth: Such are Genealogical questions, or Chronological, and contentious dispu∣tations, and strivings about Law-ceremonies, or the like.

For they are] Hee adds the Reason, Because though those questions make a shew of wisdome, yet they are foolish and vain, and unprofitable, nothing tending to edification in faith and holiness of life.

Vers. 10. A man that is an heretick, after the first and second admonition, reject:

Precept 5. Wherein the Apostle enjoyns Titus to re∣ject by Excommunication the man that is an Heretick, or that holds contrary to sound Doctrine, and makes a di∣vision or sect in the Church, or breaks the unity of the Church by any errour of his (when hee is openly con∣victed before the Presbytery, and admonished the first and second time) and neither trouble himself and the Church, more than needs, with the disputations of such kinde of men, or spend that time which is appointed for in∣structing of the Chuch, in vain disputations with these perverse men.

Vers. 11. Knowing that hee that is such, is subverted and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

Hee subjoyns a Reason, because it is in vain to dispute against one convinced of obstinacy already; for hee hath fallen from the truth, and is so overthrown, that hee will not indure to bee edified any longer, and rejecting the light offered in the admonishing of him, hee makes it plainly appear that hee doth violence to his own con∣science.

Vers. 12. When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Ty∣chicus, bee diligent to come unto mee to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to Winter.

Precept 6. Concerning private affairs, whereby hee recalls Titus from Crete, and wills him to come to Nico∣polis, where the Apostle seems not to have been when hee wrote these things (as the addition of some unskilful Scribe hath set it down in the end of the Epistle) but there hee intended to Winter.

Vers. 13. Bring Zenas the Lawyer, and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing bee wanting unto them.

Precept 7. Concerning private matters also, That hee would assist Zenas and Apollos in their journey, men very well skilled in the Scripture, but no wise weal∣thy.

Vers. 14. And let ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they bee not unfruit∣ful.

Precept 8. That hee instruct not onely the faithful a∣mongst the people, but also the Preachers of the Gospel, or those that are of the Pastoral order, that they go be∣fore others in the communication of their goods, and distributing according to necessity. The reason whereof is given, lest whilst they exhort others to good works, they themselves should bee without fruit.

Vers. 15. All that are with mee salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace bee with you all. Amen.

Hee concludes the Epistle, (1) With commendations sent to Titus from the Brethren. (2) With salutations sent from himself to the faithful in Crete. (3) With an Apostolical benediction, where hee comprehends not Titus onely, but the Churches also, to whose use this Epistle was written, sealing up his wish, and the truth of the whole Doctrine, with his AMEN.