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The development of the Messianic idea after the conclusion of the canon remains, as we have seen, far behind that which precedes in the time of the Old Testament prophecy. It affords no progress, but rather a regress. Only Alexandrianism contains thoughts in which the active leaven (fermenta cognitionis) of the Old Testament literature continues to work; but they come far short of the apostolic thoughts, for the New Testament fulfilment extends far beyond the Old Testament preparation, and performs that which had not entered into any human heart. Hence Paul (Rom. XVI, 25) calls that which has been revealed in the history of fulfilment (Rom. XVI, 25): "a mystery which has been kept secret during everlasting ages" and (Eph. III, 5 compare ver. 9) which remained unknown in the earlier generations, and was a secret concealed in God from the eons. Even Old Testament prophecy, therefore, appears to the apostles compared with the actual revelation in the New as a deep silence.