Titus 1

Titus 1:2

Promised] hath out of meere grace made a decree thereof, in the behalf of all those that are his Before] namely, from everlasting, before the beginning of succession of times, which was divided into ages.

Titus 1:3

His word] namely, his foresaid decree.

Titus 1:4

After the] in respect of faith and the spirituall life thereof, of the communication whereof I have been an instrument towards thee: and which is the same in thee and in me, even as a Son is of the same nature with the father, see Romans 1:12 2 Peter 1:1.

Titus 1:5

That are wanting] namely, which I had not established when I was present Elders] namely, Pastors and Conductors, where there is a competent number of beleevers.

Titus 1:6

Having faithfull] as well to avoid scandall, as because that in the guiding of children, and of a family, the Church may have a triall of the piety, zeal, prudence, watchfulnesse, and other vertues necessary for a Pastor. Now he means that this condition should be considered in those who are to be promoted to the ministerie, not to those who are so already, to whom such calamities of having evill children may happen without their fault, and ought not to be therefore rejected.

Titus 1:7

Not selfe-willed] the Greeke word signifies a proud, intractable, wilful, scornful, & unasfable man.

Titus 1:8

Lover of good men] or of goodnesse, See 1 Timothy 3:3. Sober] or wise, and understanding.

Titus 1:9

The faithfull] namely, the pure and sincere doctrine, which is apt to edifie and holily to instruct.

Titus 1:10

Unruly] the Italian, stubborne; against the reprehensions, admonitions, and orders of the Church Vaine talkers] all, whose discourses availe nothing towards spirituall edification.They of the] namely, the Christianized Jowes, who would retain Mosaicall ceremonies, together with Christianity, as things necessary to salvation.

Titus 1:11

Must be stopped] that is to say, they must be confuted and reproved, with so much evidence, and reason of authority, that they may not have any thing to reply, with any ground or colour.

Titus 1:12

One] namely, the Poet Epimenides, who was a Southsayer, and false Prophet, See upon Acts 17:28. 1 Corinthians 15:3. Of themselves] namely, Cretians, or Candiots: Such as those Jewes were that were born there, or dwelt there, though they were of another Nation and originall.

Titus 1:13

Sharply] without any respect, or connivencie.

Titus 1:15

All things] namely, meats, and other of Gods creatures, in which false doctors retained the distinction of cleane and uncleane, appointed by Moses his ceremoniall Law: Which being disannulled by the Gospel, the use of them is pure and holy to believers, who are purified by Christs blood, and sanctified by his Spirit. As contrariwise, the spiritual uncleannesse of unbeleevers, makes even those things which were allowed by Moses to be uncleane unto them Their mind] those two parts of man which seem to be most pure after sinne, namely, the mind which preserves some light of knowledge: and the conscience, which applies that light, to testifie and judge of mans actions. Now, by that inward corruption of ignorance and perversnesse, every thing is made impure to man: because the first hinders him from knowing how he should conform himselfe to Gods Wil in what he doth, and undertaketh; and the second takes away his wil from doing it. By the first he tempts, by the second he offends God.

Titus 1:16

They professe] namely, these seducers Reprobates] forsaken of God. So that they can neither judge soundly, nor rightly in any thing, See Romans 1:28. 2 Timothy 3:8.