From all we know of the moral darkness of the Gentile
world before Christ came, and from its best estate as we learn
from the classical writers of the Golden Age of Roman literature,
it looks as if the whole world was under the devil's power ; and
nothing more diabolical can be imagined than the condition of
society. And from the day of Christ's death, and its redemption
from Satan's almost unrestrained control, the power of Christ
has been gaining the ascendancy. The devil was about to make
his final assault on Christ; but it will be in vain. He will judge
and condemn the world as it is, will cast Satan out of his do-
minion over it which he has so long enjoyed. And then He said
to the * disciples, "And I, if I be lifted up from the eartli, will
draw all men unto Me."

After giving expression to His own deep emotion, He directs
ithe remainder of His discourse chiefly to the Hellenists — ^f or they,
as well as the Jews, knew that lifting up signified crucifixion;
and by that, which puzzled both parties, they could not under-
hand how He could draw all mankind — Jews and Gentiles —
unto Him.
