Titus 3

Titus 3:1

TO be subject] Romans 13:1. 1 Pet. 2. 13.

principalities and powers] Some conceive that there were divers in rete and other parts who were infected with the doctrine of Judas Galileus, of whom Gamahel speaketh, Acts 5:37. who denyed that any ought to be called Lords save God; and that the people of God ought to pay tribute to none: and for this cause the Apostle both her and elsewhere presseth the doctrine of obedience to all civil Magistrates under the name of principalities and powers.

Titus 3:2

brawlers] Gr. fighters.

all meeknesse] Though all sinners are not alike to be handled, but on some we are to have compassion, others to save with feare, pulling them out of the fire, Jude 1:23. yet the Ministers of God must doe nothing in rage or passion, but with the spirit of meeknesse, shewing all meeknesse to all men, Gentiles as well Jewes, enemies as well as friends, and that especially out of this consideration, that the best of Christians before their conversion were as bad as the worst of them, whose carriage is most offensive to the Church, v. 3.

Titus 3:3

we out selves] 1 Corinthians 6:11.

Titus 3:4

kindnesse and love] Or, pitie. See Chap. 2. 11.

Titus 3:5

Not by, &c.] 2 Tim. 1. 9.

works of righteousnesse] That is, such as aredone according to the Law of God, which is the rule of all righteousnesse: so that here all workes are excluded from being meritorious causes of our salvation, not onely the works of the ceremoniall Law, but also morall; not onely done before our conversion, but after; for here the mercie of God is set against all works done by us, and to it alone is our salvation ascribed.

washing of regeneration] By the regeneration and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which is like unto a Bath of water, whereby the filth of our sinnes is washed away and cleansed, Ezekiel 36:25-27. whereof the Font of Baptisine is a sign and seal. See the like manner of speech, Romans 4:11. 1 Peter 3:21.

and renewing of the Holy Ghost] The renewing, which the vertue of the Holy Ghost worketh, who applyeth the blood of Christ to the soule of the faithfull as the expiation for sinnes, whereupon a man is made a new creature regenerated accorcording to the image of God in righteousnesse and holinesse.

Titus 3:6

abundantly] Gr. richly.

Titus 3:8

maintaine good workes] Gr. goe before others, or excell in good.

Titus 3:9

avoid foolish questions] 1 Timothy 1:4. 2 Tim. 2. 23.

Titus 3:10

A man that is an heretick] An obstinate defender and spreader of erroneous doctrine, repugnant to the foundation of faith, and tending to the disturbing and distracting of the Church.

after the first and second admonition] This word comprehendeth not onely warning given by the Church, but instructions resolving of his doubts, cleare refutations of his errour, friendly exhortations both in private and publike.

reject] Do not troublke thy self to dispute any more with him, for that were to cast holy things before dogges, Matthew 7:6. giveno more eare to his replies, eavils, and objections, but according to thy office excommunicate him, hold him for a profane person, and as a member cut off from the body of the Church, Romans 16:17. 1 Corinthians 5:13. Gal. 1. 8, 9. & 5. 12. 2 Thessalonians 3:14.

Titus 3:11

condemned of himselfe] Sinneth wilfully and in a high degree, being convinced in his own conscience, that he shuts his eyes against the light, and resisteth and opposeth the known truth.

Titus 3:12

to Nicopolis] A Citie in Macedonia, which had that name, as some affirm, given it from 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because at that Citie, as S. Jerome writeth, Augustus got a famous victory against Antony and Cleopatra.

Titus 3:14

maintain good works] Or, prosesse honest trades.