14.  This  grace  was  not  in  the  Old  Testament,  because  the
law  threatened,  did  not  bring  aid ;  commanded,  did  not  heal ;
made  manifest,  but  did  not  take  away  our  feebleness :  but  it
prepared  the  way  for  that  Physician  who  was  to  come  with
grace  and  truth ;  as  a  physician  who,  about  to  come  to  any
one  to  cure  him,  might  first  send  his  servant  that  he  might
find  the  sick  man  bound.  He  was  not  sound ;  he  did  not  wish
to  be  made  sound;  and  lest  he  should  be  made  sound,  he
boasted  that  he  was  so.  The  law  was  sent,  it  bound  him ;  he
finds  himself  accused,  now  he  exclaims  against  the  bandage.
The  Lord  comes,  cures  with  somewhat  bitter  and  sharp
medicines :  for  He  says  to  the  sick,  Bear ;  He  says,  Endure ;
He  says,  Love  not  the  world,  have  patience,  let  the  fire  of  con-
tinence cure  thee,  let  thy  wounds  endure  the  sword  of  persecu-
tions. Wert  thou  greatly  terrified  although  bound  ?  He,  free
and  unbound,  drank  what  He  gave  to  thee ;  He  first  suffered
that  He  might  console  thee,  saying,  as  it  were,  that  which
thou  fearest  to  suffer  for  tlryself,  I  first  suffer  for  thee.  This
is  grace,  and  great  grace.  Who  can  praise  it  in  a  worthy
manner  ?

15.  I  speak,  my  brethren,  regarding  the  humility  of  Christ.
