For sometimes the Holy Ghost caused what was to be a type of the future to be performed openly, and sometimes He also uttered sayings about things that were to happen in the future, as though they were then taking place, or had already taken place. And unless readers know this method, they will not be able to follow the words of the prophets as they ought. I would mention, for example, certain words of prophecy, that you may follow what I have said.
When it says by Isaiah: He was led as a sheep to slaughter, and as a lamb in the presence of its shearer, it speaks as though the suffering had already taken place. And when it says again: I stretched out my hands to a disobedient and gainsaying people, and when it says: Lord, who hath believed our report, the words are spoken as though they meant news of events that had already taken place. Moreover I have shown that it often calls Christ a Stone in parable, and also Jacob and Israel in figurative speech.
And again when it says: I will see the heavens, the works of Thy fingers, except I understand the operation of His Word, I shall hear the words without understanding them, as your teachers require, when they think that the Father of the universe, and God unbegotten, has hands and feet and fingers and soul like a compound living creature, and even for this reason do they teach that the Father Himself was seen of Abraham and of Isaac.
Happy therefore are we who were circumcised with the second circumcision by knives of stone. For the first circumcision, which is yours, has taken place, and still takes place, by iron, for you remain hard of heart. But ours is that circumcision, which being second in number, for it was made known later than yours, circumcises us from idolatry, and in fact all vice, by sharp edged stones, that is to say by the words that were spoken by the apostles of the Corner Stone, and the Stone cut without hands. For our hearts have been so circumcised from evil that we even rejoice as we die for the name of that noble Rock, as it gushes forth living water for the hearts of them who have loved the Father of the universe by Him, and gives to drink of the water of life to them that desire it.
But when I say this you do not understand. For you have not understood the things prophesied for Christ to do. And you do not even believe us when we lead you to the written words. For Jeremiah cries aloud as follows: Woe to you, because you have left a living spring, and have dug for yourselves cisterns that are broken, which will not be able to hold water. Is there to be a desert where the mountain of Sion is? for I have given Jerusalem a bill of divorce in your presence.