handout)" Red Cross battles these sins both nights of the battle through two Holy Sacraments. On the first night the well in which Red Cross is thrown by the dragon symbolizes the Sacrament of Baptism. Through this Baptism Red Cross is wiped clean of all sin and is now better prepared for day two's battle.On the second day Red Cross begins to hold his own against the dragon. Red Cross has undertaken Baptism and is now Christian. He no longer embodies "man under law", but now he is "Christian man or man under grace" (dragon handout). The dragon's attacks on day two symbolize various sins and Red Cross' defenses represent the power of God. The dragon's tail attack or "sting" typifies the sin of lust and how under any circumstances it is always "infixed" in Red Cross and humanity (I.xi st.39). The dragon's claw-attack symbolizes doubts of God and his everlasting power. Both attacks are defended and then counter-attacked by Red Cross. To the first attack Red Cross reacts by "cutting off the sting at the tail with the 'sword of spirit which is word of God'"(Heb. 4:12; dragon handout). With the dragon's second offensive, Red Cross, again with the same sword, removes one claw and cuts the other one off at the foreleg. This exemplifies the word of God and how it removes some doubts while other doubts one just have to live with, but can avoid acting on. Although Red Cross makes some damaging blows to the dragon, he still loses the day and ends up toppled again, but this time next to a tree. His nigh forwearied feeble feet did slide, And downe he fell, with dread of shame sore terrifide. There grew a goodly tree him faire beside, Loaden with fruit and apples rosie red,... (I.xi.st.45-46)The tree symbolizes the grace received from the sacrament of Holy Communion. From this tree leaked an oil, representing God's grace, that washed out and healed Red Cross's wounds. "In the gospel of Nicodemus, Seth heals his father, Adam with 'oil' flowing from...
