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A fort for the afflicted Wherein are ministered many notable & excellent remedies against…A fort for the afflicted VVherin are ministred many notable & excellent remedies against…
A fort for the afflicted Wherein are ministered many notable & excellent remedies against the storms of tribulation. Written chiefly for the comfort of Christs little flock, which is the final number of the faithful, by John Knox.A fort for the afflicted VVherin are ministred many notable & excellent remedies against the stormes of tribulation. Written chiefly for the comforte of Christes little flocke, which is the final number of the faithfull, by Iohn Knoxe.
Imprinted at London : At the three Cranes in the Vintry, by Thomas Dawson, 1580Imprinted at London : At the three Cranes in the Vintree, by Thomas Dawson, 1580
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
By these Presidents the holy Ghost teacheth them, that like as they did not possess, nor obtain the first interest of that land by their own strength, but that the Lord God did freely give it to them, so likewise were they not able to brook nor enjoy the same, by any power of themselves.
By these Presidents the holy Ghost teacheth them, that like as they did not possesse, nor obtaine the first interest of that lande by their owne strength, but that the Lorde God did freelie giue it to them, so likewise were they not able to brooke nor enioy the same, by any power of themselues.
For albeit that God should have in one moment destroyed all their enemies: yet if he should not have been their perpetual safeguard, the wild beasts, should have troubled them. And if they had demanded the question, why wilt thou not destroy the wild beasts also? he answereth, least thou forget the Lord thy God, and say in thy heart, my strength hath obtained this quietness to my self.
For albeeit that God shoulde haue in one moment destroied al their enemies: yet if hee shoulde not haue beene their perpetual safegarde, the wilde beastes, shoulde haue troubled them. And if they had demaunded the question, why wilt thou not destroy the wild beasts also? he answereth, least thou forget the Lorde thy God, and say in thy heart, my strength hath obtained this quietnesse to my selfe.
Consider, dearly beloved, that such things as the spirit of God foresaw dangerous and damnable unto them, the same things are to be ⟨image 13⟩feared in us: for all things happened unto them in figures. They were in Egypt corporally punished by a cruel tyrant: we were in spiritual bondage of the Devil, by sin and incredulity. God gave to them a land that flowed with milk and honey, for which they never laboured: God hath opened to us, the knowledge of Christ Jesus which we never deserved, nor yet hoped for the same. They were not able to defend the land, after they were possessed in it: we are not able, to retain our selves, in the true knowledge of Christ, but by his grace only. Some enemies were left to exercise them. Sin is left in us, that we may learn to fight. If enemies had not been, wild beasts should have multiplied amongest them. If such beasts as we think most do trouble us, were not permitted so to do, worse beasts should have dominion over us, that is to wit: Trust in our self, arrogance, oblivion, & forgetfulness of that estate from which GOD hath delivered us, together with a light estimation of all Christs merits, which sins are the beasts that (alas do devour no small number of men. Neither yet let any man think, that if all kind of crosses were taken from us, during