Before the coming of Christ men knew that they were weak, for the law brought out man’s weakness, and showed that he was always breaking it; but until Christ came, the truth was never fully brought out, that man in his nature was totally opposed to God, and could not be improved. If the poor man lying at the pool of Bethesda, in John 5, could only have got to the place of healing, he would have been healed, but he had no strength; and if you could only keep the law, and be what you ought to be, you would be all right for time on earth. But you cannot. The law says you are to love the Lord with all your heart, and you do not. The law says you ought to be holy, and you are not. The law says you ought to keep the commandments, and you have not; and therefore the law only condemns you. The law discovers the weakness of man; but until Christ came, there had not come out this, that man was “dead.” You will find this word “dead” often in Scripture. “You hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins.”