WELCOME TO TITUS; ACCOMPANIED BY PRAYERS AND FRIENDLY FOR HIS SUCCESS, WISHES And for the prosperity of his Church & Congregation; BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF THREE DISCOURSES, DELIVERED AT THE POULTRY CHAPEL, BY JOHN CLAYTON. TUNBRIDGE WELLS: PRINTED BY ISAAC CLIFFORD, BOOKSELLER, &c. SOLD BY JACKSON & WALFORD, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD. TO BE HAD ALSO IN THE VESTRY OF THE CHAPEL. 1847. A WELCOME TO TITUS. NEVERTHELESS, GOD WHO COMFORTETH THOSE WHO ARE CAST DOWN, COMFORTED US BY THE COMING OF TITUS.-2 COR. VII. 6. THE excellent individual, whose name is mentioned in my text, is justly celebrated in the inspired annals of the christian church. A Gentile by birth and by religion, he was called and converted by the ministry of Paul in the season of his youth; and hence he is styled by the great apostle, in the first chapter of the epistle addressed to him, "Titus, mine own son, after the common faith." He was his pleasant companion in several of his missionary tours, and settled for some time at Corinth, where he was instrumental in terminating some lamentable disputes, and rectifying several of the abuses, which had crept into that religious community. After this, he travelled through various parts of Macedonia, and meeting with Paul, gave him B a favourable account of the improved state of things at Corinth. Thither he was desired by his father in the gospel to return, and convey to the disciples the second epistle to the Corinthians. To this visit of the youthful labourer in the churches, a reference is made in the language of my text, and the connexion, which express the pleasure which the apostle and his fellow labourers shared on his arrival, and which the members of the church participated. Nevertheless, he adds, notwithstanding all the anxieties and painful apprehensions which we felt, and the opposition which we had to encounter, "God who comforteth those who are cast down, comforted us by the coming of Titus." There were several features in the character and course of this faithful servant of Christ, which are deserving of particular notice. He was not only a man of most decided piety, but he was possessed of considerable gifts, as well as eminent graces, to which there is a reference in several parts of this epistle; so much so, that he was constituted a president of the churches in Crete, and had a commission from the apostle, to ordain elders, to arrange the affairs of discipline, and to fulfil the various important functions consigned to him, as described in the letter which he had from Paul's hand. He was a man of peaceable and gentle spirit, and was much engaged in healing the breaches among the early christians, He was ready to acts of benevolence, and occupied himself in collecting 66 from the richer, to supply the needs of the poorer believers. He was no mercenary who was greedy of filthy lucre, for having some other modes of meeting his own wants, he laboured a while, accepting nothing for his services. He was affectionately desirous both of the temporal and spiritual welfare of those to whom he dispensed the word of life, and diffused joy among those to whose interest he was devoted. His own heart was gladdened in its turn, and thus mention is made of him, and of the gratified church, in the closing verses of this chapter. Therefore, we were comforted in your comfort, yea, and exceedingly the more joyed we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all, and his inward affection is more abundant towards you, while he remembereth the obedience of you all." We may just observe further concerning this devoted man of God, that we learn from the 4th of the 2nd of Timothy, ver. 9, he went and preached throughout Dalmatia; and, we are told on good authority, that he returned to Crete, propagated the gospel in the neighbouring islands, lived to a great age, and was interred in the isle, which had so long been blessed by his wisdom, beneficence, and zeal. The words which I have selected as the guide of our present meditation, were suggested to me by the circumstances in which you are now placed, as a church and congregation, and on which I trust I may offer my early congratulations. Most truly can I say, that you |