Master Bezaes sermons upon the three chapters of the canticle of canticlesMaster Bezaes sermons vpon the three chapters of the canticle of canticles

6 Of as little force is that objection of them who allege these words of the Apostle, 1. Tim. 4.16. In doing this thou shalt save both thy self and those which hear thee. For there is but one Jesus Christ, that is to say, one Saviour, Act. 4.12. who hath alone ⟨p. 132⟩satisfied for our sins, Joh. 1.29. and by whose obedience we are made just, Rom. 5.19. The Apostle therefore meaneth not in the person of Timothy to set the Pastors in the place and room of Christ: God forbid; seeing himself declareth that he is not therefore justified before God, though he know nothing by himself, but hath performed his charge irreprehensible, 1. Cor. 4.4. but he speaketh so in respect of the office & duty of pastors which is to preach and announce the secrets of God: 1. Cor. 4.1. that is to say the word of reconciliation, 2. Cor. 5.19. and 20. which is the Gospel, for the salvation of all them which believe, Rom. 1.16. But they are of all others marvellous impudent, who to maintain their Idolatry or rather impiety, allege that which the Apostle saith of himself, Coloss. 1.24. namely, that he fulfilleth the surplusage of the afflictions of Christ in his flesh, for his body which is the Church, as though he were not alone omnisufficient to blot and put forth our sins, (a blasphemy most execrable) whereas the Apostle by these words meant to say no other thing, but that in the afflictions and sufferings of the Saints, Jesus Christ, as a man would say, suffereth in their persons, because he accounteth himself as it were wounded in them, according unto that which he said unto the same Apostle, wherefore persecutest thou me,