SACRED

(The word mystery lias been by some traced to the Hebrew ^rsjf), to hide, whence mystar, a thing concealed; formed from which is the Gr. piov, old French mestier — Enelish mystery, and old English mister, a trade or craft, the learnine of which was thing occult and mysterious; but the more direct derivation appeals to lie from the Gr. /jueoi.) The word mystery is primarily used in shaking of certain truths set forth iii the Old and.New Testament, to the full understanding of which human reason cannot attain. Thus all the Old Testament figures and prophecies were mysteries to the lei part of the Jews, until they received their accomplishment in Christ. Among the mysteries set forth in the New Testament the most prominent are, the doctrine of the satisfaction of Christ, the forgivene of sins for the sake of his sufferings, and eternal life in a future world; plritual nnlon between Christ and his church | the grac >n our hear.. the resurrection from the dead. But the greatest of sacred or scripture mysteries is, doubtle , the Incarnation of the Son of God": the advent of Christ in the fulne of time, of the seed of Israel, and his participation in our nature, according to the flesh; •' being in the likene of man," and " found in fashion as a man." but " very Cod of very God." "God over all. ble ed forever*" "The Word was Kith God and was God," says John; "and the Word was made flesh." This is the mystery, and, "without controversy, great is the mystery iine " lot Ood-Hkenett), God, manifest in the flesh." or "Cud was manifest in the flesh," as the most correct Is held to be— Otoe t avrp'<iOn tv aapxi. The e are some of the numerous mysteries scattered throughout the old and New Testaments, and which rightly come under the denomination of sacred mysteries. For an account of profane mysteries, see infra. UY8 TERIES, [s. 821]