The sick mans salve Wherein the faithful christians may learn both how to behave…The sycke mans salue VVherin the faithfull christians may learne both how to behaue…

Phile. Cast the eyes of your• mind with strong faith on the seed of the woman, which hath trodden down the serpents head, and destroyed his power, as he sayeth by ⟨p. 353⟩the Prophet:¹ O hell, I will be thy destruction,² which by death hath put him to flight that had Lordship over death, even the Devil, that he might deliver them, which through fear of death were all their life time subdued unto bondage, which also (as the Apostle saith) hath spoiled rule & power,³ & hath made a show of them openly, and hath triumphed over them in his own person.⁴ So shall you be sure to escape his grievous assaults. For the Son of God appeared for this purpose, even to destroy the works of the Devil. Christ was figured by that brazen serpent, which God commanded Moses to set up in the wilderness, adding this promise unto it,⁵ that whosoever being stricken of the fiery Serpents did look on that, he should be healed. After this manner, is it between Christ and ⟨p. 354⟩us. If that fiery serpent the devil hath stricken and wounded us, let us look upon Christ with strong faith, and we shall surely for Gods promise sake be made whole, as Christ him self testifieth, saying: As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness:⁶ so must the son of man be lifted up, that all that believe on him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For god sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be saved through him. If Satan therefore hath either wounded you already, or else goeth about so to do, fear not, repair unto Christ, look on him with the eyes of your faith, so shall you be free from his venomous chaws. For as you are now tempted,