ruly. A bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God, &c. steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; i. 49 accused of riot, or un- with it; and if any one is thought of in that secT. view, let it be one who is known to be blameless in his conduct, the husband of only one wife, Titus to whom he entirely confines himself, neither 1. 6. allowing of polygamy, or divorce, or an irregular commerce with any other women; and let him be one who hath believing children, if he have any that are grown up, not accused of any kind of debauchery, or ungovernable in their temper and disposition, which would render them a reproach rather than an honour to the 7 For a bishop must Christian name. I must insist on a care in be blameless, as the this respect, for it is evident, that the disorders of children often reflect a dishonour on their parents, and indeed arise from something amiss in them but a bishop, or overseer of a Christian congregation, which the elder we speak of, by virtue of his office, is, must necessarily be blame less, as he is, in that society over which he presides, the steward of God, who is appointed in his name, to take care of his family. must not therefore be fierce and self-willed, obstinate, morose, and arrogant, not soon provoked to be angry, not one who sits long over his cups, and loves to drink large quantities of wine, not a striker of others, by which, whatsoever, his provocation may be, he always degrades himself in the eyes of those that are witnesses of the quarrel, nor greedy of sordid and infamous gain: But he ought to maintain g a character directly the opposite of all these, and to be hospitable, benign, sober, and grave in 8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; d Believing children.] This is mention ed with great propriety; for, if a man were not careful to instruct his children in the principles of Christianity, there would be great reason to doubt, whether he were hearty in the belief of it himself, and under a governing sense of its truth and importance; and, if a man had only unbelieving children in his house, that is, such as were so obstinate that they could not be brought to embrace Christianity, by any of the arguments which could be laid be fore them in that age of miracles, it would be a great discouragement, and in some circumstances, a great hindrance to him, from pursuing the duties of a Christian elder, or bishop. And those cvils, into which such obstinate infidel children might fall, would very probably, bring a re proach upon the family, which might, in He his a degree, hurt the character of him who It e For a bishop must be blameless.] f. Self-willed, obstinate, morose, and ar- 50 Reflections on the character of a Christian bishop. SECT. his deportment, righteous, holy, devout, and Titus faithful word, as he temperate in all things: Holding fast, in the 9 Holding fast the most resolute manner, the faithful word which hath been taught, that 1.9. he hath been taught by those who were commis- he may be able by sioned to publish it to the world, that so he may sound doctrine both be able both to instruct others in sound doctrine, vince the gain-sayers. and to convince and silence those that contradict Ver. น. IMPROVEMENT. to exhore and to con NEVER let it be forgotten by any that call themselves Chris1 tians, that the faith of God's elect is the acknowledgment of the truth which is according to godliness. Never let the great design of Christianity be lost in an eager contention for any of its appendages, or any of its parts. Yet alas, how often has it, in particuJar instances, been wounded almost to death, in a furious attempt to rescue it, and that sometimes perhaps, from only an imaginary danger. That we may be more sensible of its vital influence, let us ever retain the hope of that eternal life which it proposes, as the great end of all our pursuits; even of that life which God that cannot lie hath promised. Let us rejoice to think that so immense a superstructure has so firm, so divine a foundation; and let us never give it up for any thing that a flattering world, always ready to engage, and slow to perform, can promise. Let us ever be very thankful for the provision God hath made 3 for the manifestation of his word, through preaching, and for his goodness in raising up faithful pastors to his church, overseers in 7, 8 every age, who have been blameless, sober, just, holy, and temperate. Such may all be that appear under that sacred character; able, by their doctrine to instruct, by their reasoning to convince, by their practice to edify; ever solicitous, that they may not negglect their pastoral services, that they may not lord it proudly over their brethren, that they may not be transported by furious passions, or misguided by rash conclusions, or perverted by low Tinterests, and the greediness of filthy lucre; but that they may approve themselves the faithful stewards of God, and promote the good order of his house; and so far as their influence can reach, the happiness of every member of his family. 6 In order to this, let them look well to their own houses, that nothing may be wanting on their part to make their children tractable, faithful and sober. And let the children of ministers consider the obligations they are under to cultivate a teachable spirit, and to maintain the strictest decency in their whole deportment, as remembering the superior advantages they may be supposed to enjoy for religious improvement, and how much a minister's reputation and usefulness depend upon the regularity of his family. SECT. Paul cautions Titus against seducing teachers, and the native vices of the Cretans; and advises him to accommodate his exhortations to the different sorts of persons with whom he conversed, according to their respective sexes, ages, and circumstances. Titus I. 10, to the end. Chap. II. 1—8. Trus I. 10. FOR there are many unruly and vain I ers. TITUS I. 10. SECT. ii. Titus HAVE particularly insisted upon it, that a talkers and deceivers, bishop should be able to convince gainsayers, especially they of the as well as to instruct candid and obedient hear- 1.10. circumcision; And indeed the precaution is very necessary at present, and particularly in the place where you now preside; for there are many disorderly persons] and vain talkers, who are deceived in their own minds, in consequence of which it is no wonder if they are active in deceiving others. And this is especially the case with those of the circumcision, who are so eager to impose on their Gentile brethren the ceremonies of the Mosaic law, as if Christianity itself were insufficient to save us without them: Whose mouth must therefore be stopped by solid 11 arguments, and their unreasonable clamours silenced by the strenuous exercise of discipline: for they are persons who are so active in spreading these mischievous notions, that they overturn whole families, teaching things which they ought not for the sake of infamous gain; hoping by their doctrines to secure the favour of some rich men, who never think they can do enough for those preachers that support their own factions and dividing notions. 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for fil thy lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet I know that there are many such at present in 12 of their own, said, The your island; and I remember that Epimenides, Cretans are always li- one of their [countrymen], and a poet in such ars, high renown, that I may call him a kind of prophet of their own, has said, the Cretans are always liars, pernicious savage beasts, and yet a A prophet.] Epimenides, whose words Paul here quotes, is said, by Diogenes Laertius, to have been a great favourite of the gods; but Aristotle says he never foretold any future event; which, as Dr. Scott justly observes (Scott's Christian Life, VOL. X. slory Vol. III. p. 650), is a plain argument that 52 He reminds him of the national character of the Cretans. ii. Titus 13 This witness is buke them sharply, be SECT. slow bellies, a wretched compound of luxury ars, evil beasts, slow 15 I know they value themselves highly upon the b Cretans are always liars, &c.] Perhaps it might have been in some views more proper to have translated this Greek verse in such a manner, that it might have read as a verse in English, "False Cretans !" "Savage beasts, with bellies slow!" It is evident the poet here suggests a remarkable contrast, to shew what a mixture there was of fierceness and luxury in the characters of the Cretans. Savage beasts are ge nerally active and nimble; but these men, while they had the fury of lions and tigers, indulged themselves so much in the most sordid idleness and intemperance, that they grew (as it were) all belly; and like a breed of swine common in the eastern countries, were often so burdened with fat that they could hardly move. As for their proneness to falsehood, it is well known that liv, to talk like a Cretan, was a proverb for lying (as xoziviaev, to live like a Corinthian, was for a luxurious and debauched life). See Erasm. Prov. p. 642, 643), and it is remarkable that Polybius scarce ever mentions this nation without some severe censure. See Raphel. e Polyb. in loc. c Rebuke them severely.] Anoloμws, with a cunning severity. From whence Mr. Blackwall infers, that it is a vain pretence that only gentle and soft expressions are to be applied to people that renounce good prin good of men, that turn from 15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled, ciples, and corrupt the gospel. Black. Vind. Vol. I. p. 308, 309. But Paul speaks of reproving vice, not error; and if any consequence is to be drawn from one to the other, the remark is to be admitted with much caution, considering to what a degree pride and passion often transport men, even in the management of theological controversies, beyond all bounds of prudence, charity, and decency. Timothy is exhorted to rebuke with all longsuffering (2 Tim. iv. 2), and some account for the difference, by the different tempers of the reprovers; supposing that of Timothy might be warmer than that of Titus; others, by the different character of the persons to be reproved; as the Ephesians seem to have been more gentle, obliging, and complaisant, the Cretans more obstinate, rough, and headstrong. But the best reply seems to be this, that there is a degree of long-suffering and gentleness, very Consistent with all that severity which faithfulness requires; which is not that of boisterous passion, ill-nature, and scurrility, but of meek, though resolute zeal for God, and friendship to the offender; which yet will not be silenced by trifling excuses, nor fail seriously to represent the fatal consequences that may attend the evil reproved. To the pure all things, are pure. filed, and unbelieving, good conscience towards God, according to the SECT. is nothing pure; but best of his knowledge, is accepted of him, whe even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They profess that they know God; but in being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. works they deny him, CHAP. II. 1. But which become sound doctrine : 2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temin charity, in patience: perate, sound in faith, ii. 53 ther he do, or do not, abstain from such parti-Titus Such is the temper and character of many! Chap. speak thou the things But do thou, O Titus, not only guard against 11.1. the infection thyself, but endeavour to fortify others against it, and speak the things which become wholesome doctrine, doctrine which may tend to promote the health and happiness of those minds by which it is imbibed. And en- 2 deavour to suit thy instructions to the different characters of persons whom thou addressest. When, for instance, thou art applying thyself to aged men [admonish] them to be watchful against temptations, which might dishonour their advanced years, by drawing them into any unseemly behaviour: to be grave in their whole deportment, avoiding such levities as are, even in youth itself, rather pardonable than commendable, but in those who are quitting the stage of life highly indecent. Press it upon them, that they be sober and temperate in the use of animal pleasures, as their highest relish for them may well be supposed, by this time, to be abated. In a word, that they be sound, healthful, and vigorous in the several graces of the Christian temper, and particularly in faith, in love, and in patience; that the principles of Christianity may be retained, and have a suitable effect upon their hearts, and produce un bounded G 2 |