SAint Paul a Servant of God, and an Apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the Faith and Truth, &c. ver. 1. having ordain'd Titus the first Bishop of the Church of the Cretians; as he did Timothy of the Ephesians: he begins here to shew him, in a very solemn and blessed Stile, for what end he thus left him in Crete, ver. 6. As particularly [Page 6] to Ordain and Settle the inferior Ministry; the due qualifications whereof he next declares, ver. 6. and then proceeds to set forth the life of a good Bishop: manifesting the necessity of their Faith­fulness, Ability, and Zeal, because of Deceivers, and that the mouths of those evil corrupt Teachers (who crept in Houses, and swarm'd about the Church) might be stopped, to ver. 12. Then he gives him some description of the people whom he was set over, with admonitions concerning them, &c. Now these let us briefly consider with parallel Instances of the great Numbers of pretended false Christians among us, and the directions here for their reformation: concluding with an earnest recommendation of all the Duties laid down in this Epistle, as now requir'd indispensibly both of Mi­nisters and People.

First then, The Apostle begins his description of these Cretians with an irrefragible testimony of one of their own Poets, ver. 12. one of themselves; even a Prophet of their own said, the Cretians are always Liars, evil Beasts, slow-bellies. ( i. e. de­ceitful, false, sensual, carnal, and earthly-minded) which is plain enough, howsoever Poetical: and as St. Paul affirms in the next verse this Witness is true; whence necessarily follows his admonition, wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be [Page 7] sound in the Faith; not giving heed to Jewish Fa­bles, and Commandments of men that turn from the Truth. This beastliness, or impurity of their lives (notwithstanding their Conversion to Chri­stianity) polluted and corrupted their Profession of the purest Religion, which none but the pure can rightly understand and practice: and so continu'd them sinful Brutes, and guilty Infidels still. For as it follows, ver. 15. Unto the Pure all things are Pure, but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing Pure; but even their Mind and Consci­ence is defiled: well therefore might there be so many Hereticks, Seducers, and Hypocrites among such filthy Pretenders; yea and Atheists too, or worse: for so are they, who profess (as St. Paul here concludes their Character) That they know God; but in Works they deny him, being abo­minable, disobedient, &c. These are call'd Pra­ctical Atheists, and are thus far worse than the Speculative, in that they act contrary to their de­clar'd Principles; their Lives run contrary to their Creed: O they do the greater dishonor to Almighty God. Now every customary habitual Sinner par­ticularly is such; and such are the common Pro­phane, Unjust, Vitious, and Uncharitable Wretches of this vilest Age, who fill our Church and Na­tion. These unreformed Sinners who make up [Page 8] the generality of our People of all Ranks and De­grees, are the English Cretians, and the Atheistical Christians: whose Lives and Conversations prove their ignorance and denyal of God, and of all true Religion; whatsoever their Faith or Profession may be: as will be manifest from a brief discussion of these Words with deductions of some few In­stances: They profess that they know God. Now to know God, is to understand as much as Nature, Reason, and Revelation discover to us of his Be­ing, or his Perfections and Attributes included therein; and of that Worship and Service due to him from us his Creatures, which we call Reli­gion in general. Thus far as men ought we to know God; but much more as Christians must we know him to be, not only our Creator, Preser­ver, &c. but our great Lord and Judge, our mer­ciful Redeemer, Saviour, and Sanctifier too, as well as Lawgiver, in his only begotten eternal Son, and Holy Spirit. Yea, further must we thus draw near or come unto God that we may please him, and in order thereunto we must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Heb. xi. 7. And then moreover, we must obey his Laws, live up to his Gospel of Grace and Salvation, which is our Christian Pro­fession; if we would truly and rightly know him. [Page 9] Then, and not till then, we may well profess that we know God: since hereby alone we shall know our selves that we know him, if we keep his Com­mandments. Herein shall we be fully satisfi'd, when we thus endeavour to love, adore, and imitate his infinite Perfections as his Laws direct; thus to renew his Image upon our souls, and re­semble him as far as we can to our own sole happi­ness; purifying, following, and uniting our minds to the Divine. For whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; yea, hereby know we that we are in him; so he that professeth to know him, or saith, he abideth in him, ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked. But he that saith I know him, and keepeth not his Commandments is a lyar, and the truth is in him. 1 Joh. ii. 3, 4, 5, 6. But in Works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedi­ent, and unto every good Work reprobate: So to deny God in our Works, is to allow our selves in any known wilful sin, that is hateful and dishonourable to his Nature, and transgressing his most Holy, Just, and Good Laws. To continue in any wicked Customs, sinful Habit, or any evil Course of Life without timely Repentance and Amendment: to have hereby seared Consciences, hardned Hearts, and stupify'd Wills, reprobate Minds, and corrupt Judgments; ever prone to im­piety, [Page 10] backward and unwilling to do good; per­verse and stubborn in acts of iniquity, following the bent and inclination of our vile Lusts and Af­fections, and so easily yielding to the Devil's sug­gestions, and the World's deluding Charms and Allurements; thus frequently and notoriously Re­belling against God: to slight God's sacred Mini­stry, resist the good motions of his Holy Spirit, disregard the most pious Instructions; and neglect the means of Grace and Salvation ordain'd in Christ's Church Militant here upon Earth. Thus do the many pretended Professors of a Deity, and Vaunting Worshippers, and Religionists deny God, and all; by their common, inconsiderate, foolish doings, by their devilish, sensual, earthly living, by their secret sins, and avowed Crimes so odious in God's all-pure Eyes, and nauseous to every good Soul. Hence they form such Notions of the Divinity, and favour such Doctrines, and Interpretations of Scripture (which they read to their own destrustion) as might raise their defile­ments in Mind and Conscience; and please their Corruptions most: thus would they make God like one of themselves, have his ways as their ways; or else they seem to set up the vile Deities of the Heathens, to profess only by their Deeds a a cruel Saturn, a wanton Jupiter, a thievish Mer­cury, [Page 11] and a drunken Bacchus: or with the grossest Idolaters in Egypt to Worship Leeks and Onions, and make their Bellies their Gods. What less do our Self-Contradictors, inconsistent, ridiculous Professors manifest? Do not their Actions belye their Mouths? And are they not thus far worse than the very Ethnicks, or Atheists, denying the only true God, whom yet they affirm to own, &c. As for instance, to expostulate this Case with all Rational People, and Christians: let us consider in the general, that those who live and act con­trary to the Divine Perfections, and Laws, do so far deny the same: and such, who deny God's Attributes, which are essential to his Being, do thus deny God. So in particular, this consider, first in relation to his Holiness, Purity, and Good­ness in the Abstract: does not all manner of Irre­ligion and Prophaness plainly contradict the most Holy Being? Is not every unclean Thought and Desire, every filthy Discourse, and lustful beast­ly Action diametrically opposite to God's all-pure Nature? And is not all manner of ill-nature, and evil-doing absolutely contrary to the most lovely Essence, to Goodness it self? If so, what are the common, false Swearers, and all the guilty takers of God's most holy Name in vain? What are the Contemners, Neglecters, and Prophaners [Page 12] of his holy Word, and Ministry; of his Sacra­ments, and other Ordinances; of his true Church, and most pure Religion? What are the Sacrilegi­ous Robbers of Churches, Robbers of God in Tythes and Offerings, greedy encroachers upon the Pastors Divine Rights, and bold Invaders of holy Church's Patrimony; the proud Despisers of holy Persons, and domineering Violaters of things Sacred, thus bringing a Curse upon the whole Nation? If so, what are the Fornicators, Whore­mongers; the Adulterers, and Adulteresses; the Brutes, and Sodomites; what are the lascivious vile obscene Wretches, the carnal and earthly minded Herds of Animals? In short, what are the selfish Unrighteous, the wicked vicious ungod­ly sinful Livers? If so, what are any such better than Atheists? Yea, are not they rather worse, and dot they more shamfully deny, by these abo­minable Courses, that most holy pure and good God, whom yet they profess to know.

So secondly, Consider this Point in reference to God's Justice, Mercy, and Truth:

Can any thing more directly affront the Just and Righteous Judge of all the World; than Ra­pine, Violence, and Oppression; than Fraud, Knavery, with all sorts of Dishonesty, and Un­righteous Dealing?

What can bid defiance more to our most grati­ous long suffering compassionate heavenly Father; than Cruelty, Tyranny, and barbarous Usage; than Malice, Envy, dire Revenge, Hatred, and all manner of Uncharitableness? Can any thing more impudently contradict the only Wise and True God; him, who is Truth it self: than Falshood, Dissimulation, Perjury, Scepticism, Infidelity; than Diffidence, Deceit, Lying, with all kind of Guile and Hypocrisy?

So thirdly, In relation to God's infinite Wis­dom, and Power; or his Omnipotence, Omni­science, and Omnipresence: how bold Presum­ption on the one Hand, and slavish Despair on the other, or distrust of Providence; with crafty De­signs, and secret Sinning, &c. does call these a­dorable Attributes into question? Will not humane Strength and Policy, carnal or worldly Wisdom bend and submit hereto? Shall not all Pride, Ar­rogance, Ambition, Avarice, Intemperance and Sensuality tremble hereat? Upon these Considera­tions then, are not all Cheats, Knaves, and Ly­ars; all Robbers, Thieves, and Murderers; all Tyrants, Usurpers, and devouring Oppressors: Are not all spiteful haughty Conceits, all per­verse Self-Lovers; all blood-thirsty encroaching Villains; all sorts of Unbelievers and Hypocrites; [Page 14] all evil Contriving, Crafty, Sly or Clandestine Sinners; all Debauchees, Gluttons, Drunkards, proud Boasters; with all Covetous Persons, who are Idolaters, and whom particularly God ab­horeth:

Are not all these, I say, with the others before­mentioned, such abominable, disobedient, and evil reprobate Wretches; by leading such wicked Lives, so contrary to the whole Divine Nature, and to all True Religion; while they profess to know God, &c. That they thus plainly deny their God and Saviour; and commence the worst of Infidels, and Atheists: whatsoever Faith, or Knowledge they may pretend to? Now the like Instances may be made in reference to all the Sublime Truths, and Injunctions of the Gospel, or all the Duties of Christianity; from which the generality of its Professors so grosly vary; and wherein so many do deceive, and are deceived: but these may be reserv'd for another Season; and what has been said, may suffice at present for de­monstration of the matter in hand.

So we shall now proceed to the Apostles dire­ctions for the Reformation of all: and especially for the management of those false Teachers, Scepticks, and Seducers, whom he chiefly aims at, and describes here, ver. 10. and this he lays upon [Page 15] his Bishop, particularly to convince such, ver. 9. Including withal the Offices of the inferior Mini­stry: as I noted in the beginning of this Discourse, and may regularly proceed upon: having hitherto only cleared the Text at first proposed.

In all this Epistle it is evident, says a Divine Preacher, that St. Paul looks upon Titus as ad­vanc'd to the Dignity of a Prime Ruler of the Church, and entrusted with a large Diocess, con­taining many particular Cities under the imme­diate Government of their respective Elders; and those deriving Authority from his Ordination, as was specified in ver. 5. And now looking upon Titus under this qualification, he addresses a long Advice and Instruction to him, for the discharge of so important a Function: it being the peculiar Office of every Bishop within his own Jurisdicti­on, by Prayer, and Imposition of Hands, (as the Apostles did) to order and seperate Men for the Offices of Deacon, and Elder, i. e. Presbyter or Priest in the Church of Christ: and in like man­ner to Confirm all whom the Inferior Ministers ad­mit Members of, or receive into the Church-Com­munion by that initiating Sacrament of Baptism, as our Saviour positively Commissioned all his Ambassadors, Stewards, or Ministers of his Gospel upon Discipling the World: Mat. xxviii. 19, 20. [Page 16] And as Philip the Deacon Baptized the Samaritans, and then came the great Apostles, Peter and John, down from Jerusalem, to Confirm them with Prayer and Imposition of Hands, Act. viii. And as our Bishops, the Prime Successors of the Apostles, after our Infant-Baptism, and Pious Education upon the Promises and Solemn Vows, and care of fit Sponsors, &c. (as our Church most Charitably directs) have accordingly practised from the very Primitive times: which may sufficiently ease and satisfie all Sureties, &c. both in their Duty, and discharge of their Trust: and so might equally con­vince our Antipedobaptists, and all other Gainsayers to the Laudable Antient Apostolical Orders of Infant-Baptism, Confirmation, &c. Which, with our whole excellent Constitution, let us all duly and respectively observe, under our Sacred Gospel-Ministry, as true sound Members of the best Esta­blished Church in the World: with particular Re­verence of the highest Order of Episcopacy, our Spiritual Hierarchy, whereto alone it belongs to Govern and Preside over the whole Ecclesiastical Body. There is no one thing (says a learned Writer) more clear and evident in the Christian Religion, than that our Saviour invested the whole Apostolical Order (not in St. Peter only, but all the Apostles) with a Supremacy of Power over [Page 17] his Church; and that they in pursuance of this his Divine Institution ordained Bishops to succeed them in their Supremacy of Power through all follow­ing Ages. That the Apostles were Superior to all other Officers in the Church, is out of questi­on, and granted on all Hands: and that the Bi­shops succeeded them, is as unquestionable from all the clearest Records of Antiquity; their Suc­cession, especially in the most famous Churches, being deriv'd by the most Antient Writers from the Apostles themselves, and was as easily and certainly know to those Men that have transmitted it to us, as any learned Man may know the Succession of the Archbishops of Canterbury from the Reign of Queen Elizabeth to this time. And also 'tis evident, that they modell'd the first Settlement of Churches according to the then present State of the Roman Empire. But as this Power was at first given to the A­postles, so was it equally divided among them; so that every one exercis'd Supreme Power with­in the Bounds of his own Jurisdiction, and all together in the Catholick Church: or as St. Cyprian states it, Epist. 52. that as there was but one Church Founded by Christ throughout all the World, but this Church was made up of several distinct Members; so there was but one Episcopacy, and that consists in the agreement, and unanimous [Page 18] care of all Christian Bishops: so that the whole Body of the Church was govern'd by the whole Body of the Apostles, and their Successors; but the several parts of it were allotted to the Charge of single Bishops, who govern'd them with par­ticular care, but so as to have regard to the Peace and Unity of the whole.

This is the only Notion (says my Author) that this wise and good Man (than whom there is not a more eminent example for both upon Record) seems in all his Writings to have had of the Ca­tholick Church; and so this he improves to the utter Confutation of the Pope's Supremacy; and likewise of all our Dissenters confused wild pre­tences: resembling the Popish Legends, Supersti­tions, &c. ‘All whose presumptuous, covetous, Teaching, creeping into Houses, leading Captive silly Women, deluding sinful weak Souls, 2 Tim. iii. 6.’ with all their deceitful, hypocritical, or in­sulting, rigid, greedy, devouring ways, ought to undergo such Episcopal Judgment and Rebuke, and be so silenced, &c. as these Sceptical lying Cretes, and avaritious Jewish Deceivers; whom the great Apostle here warns their proper Bishop of, that he may proceed against them sharply: or as himself judged too obstinate Sinners, or Here­ticks and Schismaticks, (as he did the incestuous [Page 19] person before, 1 Cor. v.) wicked Hymeneus, and Alexander, whom he deliver'd unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. 1 Tim. i. 20. This is the very power of true Excommunication, which with Absolution, call'd the power of the Keyes, our Saviour delegated immediately to the Supreme Governors of his Church. Matth. xvi. 18, 19. John xx. 21, 22, 23. And thus was Titus to manage the Stubborn, and Heretical within his Diocese; Chap. iii. 10, 11. ‘A Man that is an He­retick, after the first and second Admonition, re­ject: knowing, that he that is such, is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.’ Yet these our Rulers must especially avoid all Pride, Ambition, Tyranny, Idleness, Corruption, and Covetousness, with all Vice, Passion, or Self­ishness: wherewith the Princes of the World, and Civil Magistrates too often exercise Authority, and Dominion: but we must all dischage our Sa­cred Function, and do all things with the greatest humility, and in the true Gospel Spirit of Meek­ness and Charity, strictly imitating our blessed Sa­viour, and giving good Example to all others. Matth. xx. 25, 26, 27, 28. 1 Pet. v. 1, 2, 3, 4. ‘And now thus must the Younger obey their El­ders, &c. ver. 5. who may thus rebuke with all, with the highest, i. e. Divine Authority; and let [Page 20] no Man despise them;’ as St. Paul here sums up the Episcopal Office to Titus, Chap. ii. 15. which is the first direction for the Reformation of all: ‘and particularly, for the suppression of the many unruly and vain Talkers, and Deceivers, urging the Commandments of Men that turn from the Truth, legendary Fablers, &c. Like the bigotted Jews: whose Mouths must be stopped, who sub­vert whole Houses, Teaching things which they ought not, for filthy Lucre's sake. Who (with the rest before testified of, and described:) must therefore be rebuked sharply, that they may be sound in the Faith, and become pure and unde­filed, Chap. i. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15.’ That none may give heed to fables; nor regard needless controversies, or any jarring disputes: but avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and stri­vings about the law: for they are unprofitable and vain, Chap. iii. 9. Thus comes in the next Directions, which all should constantly observe, and so dili­gently mind and practice the sound, grave, un­corrupt, sincere Doctrine, which they are dayly Taught under the true Gospel-Ministry in our ex­cellent Communion. Then would aged men be so­ber, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience. And the aged women likewise would be in be­haviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, (not [Page 21] lyars, or slanderers:) Not given to much wine, teachers of good things: teaching the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, to be discreet, chast, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Then would young men likewise be ex­horted to be sober-minded Chap. ii. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. Then would servants too, be obedient to their own ma­sters, and please them well in all things, not answer­ing again. Not purloyning, but shewing all good fide­lity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Sa­viour in all things, ver. 9, 10. Then would Chri­stians in general remember their necessary Duties and Obligations signified in the verse following, and elsewhere. ‘For the grace of God, that bringeth salvation, hath appeared to all men, teaching us, that denying ungodliness, and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purifie unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. These things must we speak, exhort; and preach both in our life and doctrine, ver. 7, 8.’ As thus too, Must our Bishops rebuke with all authority, and let no man despise them. verse 15. [Page 22] And thus farther, ‘Must they, and we, and all be, as we put others in mind to be, subject to Principalities and Powers, to obey Magistrates, whose Civil Authority, how great soever in Church-Matters, supposes the Spiritual Authority of the Church: and neither should interfere with the other, &c.’ See Bishop Parker's Religion and Loyalty, and Letter. Thus moreover ought we all to be ready to every good work, to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men, Chap. iii. 1, 2. So finally thus is pressed on the general Reformation, with these indispen­sible Duties both of Clergy and Laity, (here briefly recommended) concluding all, verse 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Wherein the Apostle exemplifies the state of Unbelievers and Sinners before Conversion, and regeneration; and their blessed condition after through Sanctification, Justification, &c. For we our selves also were sometimes foolish, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice, and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man ap­peared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour: that being justified by his grace, [Page 23] we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. This is a faithful saying, and these things (says St. Paul to his Bishop) I will that thou affirm con­stantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works: these things are good and profitable unto men.

Wherefore (As 'tis in Heb. xiii. 16, 17, 18.20, 21.) to do good, and to communicate forget not, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit your selves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.

Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience in all things, willing to live honestly.

Now the God of Peace, that brought again from the dead the Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.