HOMILY II.] HOMILIES ON TITUS. has received great attention. Sins are not so prevalent by nature, as to overcome so much previous care. But if, occupied in the pursuit of wealth, he has made his children a secondary concern, and not bestowed much care upon them, even so he is unworthy. For if when nature prompted, he was so void of affection or so senseless, that he thought more of his wealth than of his children, how should he be raised to the Episcopal throne, and so great rule? For if he was unable to restrain them, it is a great proof of his weakness ; and if he was unconcerned, his want of affection is much to be blamed. He then that neglects his own children, how shall he take care of other men s ? And he has not only said, "not riotous," but not even " accused of riot." There must not be an ill report, or such an opinion of them. Ver. 7. " For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God ; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker." For a ruler without, as he rules by law and compulsion, perhaps does not consult the wishes of those under his rule. But he who ought to rule men with their own consent, and who will be thankful for his rule, if he so conduct himself as to do everything of his own will, and share counsels with no one, makes his presidency tyrannical rather than popular. For he must be " blameless, as the steward of God, not self- willed, not soon angry." For how shall he in struct others to rule that passion, who has not taught himself? For power leads on to many temptations, it makes a man more harsh and difficult to please, even him that was very mild, surrounding him with so many occasions of an ger. If he have not previously practiced himself in this virtue, he will grow harsh, and will injure and destroy much that is under his rule. " Not given to wine, 1 no striker." Here he is speaking of the insolent man. For he should do all things by admonition or rebuke, and not by insolence. What necessity, tell me, for in sult? He ought to terrify, to alarm, to penetrate the soul with the threat of hell. But he that is insulted becomes more impudent, and rather despises him that insults him. Nothing pro duces contempt more than insult ; it disgraces the insolent person, and prevents his being re spected, as he ought to be. Their discourse ought to be delivered with much caution. In reproving sins they should bear in mind the future judgment, but keep clear of all insolence. Yet if any prevent them from doing their duty, they must prosecute the matter with all authority. " Not a striker," he says. The teacher is the physician of souls. But the physician does not strike, but heals and restores him that has stricken him. " Not given to filthy lucre." v, see p. 438, note. Ver. 8. " But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate." Ver. 9. " Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught." You see what intensity of virtue he required. " Not given to filthy lucre," that is, showing great contempt for money. " A lover of hospi tality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy " ; he means, giving away all his substance to them that need. " Temperate " ; he speaks not here of one who fasts, but of one who commands his passions, his tongue, his hands, his eyes. For this is temperance, to be drawn aside by no passion. " Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught." By "faithful" is here meant " true," or that which was delivered through faith, not requiring reasonings, or questionings. " Holding fast," that is, having care of it, mak ing it his business. What then, if he be igno rant of the learning that is without ? For this cause, he says, " the faithful word, according to teaching." 2 " That he may be able both to exhort, and to convince the gainsayers." So that there is need not of pomp of words, but of strong minds, of skill in the Scriptures, and of powerful thoughts. Do you not see that Paul put to flight the whole world, that he was more powerful than Plato and all the rest? But it was by miracles, you say. Not by miracles only, for if you peruse the Acts of the Apostles, you will find him often prevailing by his teach ing previously to his miracles. " That he may be able by sound doctrine to exhort," that is, to retain his own people, and to overthrow the adversaries. " And to convince the gainsayers." For if this is not done, all is lost. He who knows not how to combat the adversaries, and to " bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," and to beat down reasonings, he who knows not what he ought to teach with regard to right doctrine, far from him be the Teacher s throne. For the other qualities may be found in those under his rule, such as to be " blameless, to have his chil dren in subjection, to be hospitable, just, holy." But that which characterizes the Teacher is this, to be able to instruct in the word, to which no regard is now paid. Ver. 10. "For there are many unruly and vain talkers, and deceivers, especially they of the circumcision ; " Ver. ii. "Whose mouths must be stopped." Seest thou how he shows that they are such? From their not wishing to be ruled, but to rule. For he has glanced at this. \Vhen therefore thou canst not persuade them, do not give them charges, but stop their mouths, for the benefit of 2 The Greek does not exclude the sense of teaching others.