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This mystery of eternal life, even from the beginning of the human
race, was, by certain signs and sacraments suitable to the times,
announced through angels to those to whom it was meet. Then the
Hebrew people was congregated into one republic, as it were, to
perform this mystery; and in that republic was foretold, sometimes
through men who understood what they spake, and sometimes through men
who understood not, all that had transpired since the advent of Christ
until now, and all that will transpire. This same nation, too, was
afterwards dispersed through the nations, in order to testify to the
scriptures in which eternal salvation in Christ had been declared.
For not only the prophecies which are contained in words, nor only the
precepts for the right conduct of life, which teach morals and piety,
and are contained in the sacred writings, not only these, but also the
rites, priesthood, tabernacle or temple, altars, sacrifices,
ceremonies, and whatever else belongs to that service which is due to
God, and which in Greek is properly called latreia, all these
signified and fore-announced those things which we who believe in
Jesus Christ unto eternal life believe to have been fulfilled, or
behold in process of fulfillment, or confidently believe shall yet be
fulfilled.
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