and even made himself worshipped as God, with incense and sacrifices, not only of their animals, but even of their own children and of their own lives; and he, their enemy and tyrant, what return did he make them? How did he treat them? He tortured their bodies with the most barbarous cruelty, he blinded their minds, and by a path of pain and misery conducted them down to everlasting torments. It was this tyrant that the Divine Word came on purpose to overthrow, and to release mankind from his wretched thraldom, in order that the unfortunate creatures, freed from the darkness of death, rescued from the bondage of this savage monster, and enlightened to know what was the true way of salvation, might serve their real and lawful Master, Who loved them as Father, and from slaves of Satan wished to make them His Own beloved children: That being delivered from the hands of our enemies, we might serve Him without fear. The prophet Isaias had long ago foretold that our Redeemer should destroy the empire which Satan held over mankind: And the sceptre of their oppressor Thou hast overcome. [9:4] And why did the prophet call him oppressor? Because says St. Cyril, this heartless master exacts from the poor sinners who become his slaves heavy tribute, in the shape of passions, hatreds, disorderly affections; by means which he binds them in a still faster servitude, while at the same time he scourges them. Our Saviour came then, to release us from the slavery of this deadly foe; but how?---in what manner did He release us?---Let us learn from St. Paul what He did: Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal to God, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the like of men. [Phil. 2:6] He was already, says the Apostle, the Only-begotten
