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…

But (beloved in the Lord) the sword of anguish and of dolour hath now pierced the tender heart of Christs mother (that is,¹ of his very church•) that the cogitations of many hearts are sufficiently revealed. The fire is come, which as it hath burnt away with a blast, the stubble, Hay and Wood: so in trying the gold, silver, and precious stones, it hath found such dross and dust, that the whole mass may appear to be confused. For who now calleth to mind that the same voice, which forespake our dolours, forespake also our everlasting comfort with Christ Jesus? Who delighted now in his amiable promises? Who rejoiceth under the cross? yea, who rather doeth not fear, tremble, grudge, and lament, as that there were no help in God, or as that he regardeth not the trouble which we suffer? These are the imperfections, that continually remain in this our corrupt nature: the knowledge whereof ought to move us earnestly to cry: O Lord increase our faith,² be merciful unto us, and let us not drown in the deep for ever. Which if we do with unfeigned hearts, •hen yet shall Christ Jesus appear to our ⟨image 46⟩comfort: his power shall be known to the praise and glory of his own name, in despite of all his conjured enemies▪ And this is the chief and principal cause of my comfort and consolation in these most dolorous days, that neither can our infirmities nor daily desperation hinder or let Christ Jesus to return to us again.

But (beloued in the Lorde) the sworde of anguishe and of dolour hath nowe pearced the tender hearte of Christes mother (that is,¹ of his very church•) that the cogitations of many heartes are sufficiently reuealed. The fire is come, which as it hath burnt awaye with a blast, the stubble, Haye and Wood: so in trying the golde, siluer, and precious stones, it hath founde such drosse and duste, that the whole masse may appeare to bee confused. For who nowe calleth to minde that the same voice, which forespake our dolours, forespake also our euerlasting comforte with Christ Iesus? Who delighted nowe in his amiable promises? Who reioiceth vnder the crosse? yea, who rather doeth not feare, tremble, grudge, and lament, as that there were no helpe in God, or as that hee regardeth not the trouble which wee suffer? These are the imperfections, that continually remaine in this our corrupt nature: the knowledge whereof ought to moue vs earnestly to crye: O Lorde increase our fayth,