Page:Mahometanism in its relation to prophecy - or, an inquiry into the prophecies concerning antichrist, with some reference to their bearing on the events of the present day (IA mahometanisminit00philrich).pdf/140

 Millions and millions laid down their lives to suffer the most cruel deaths in testimony of their faith in Christ: and when the sword of the persecutor was sheathed, millions of other generous Christians renounced the pleasures of this life, and betook themselves to the deserts of Egypt, of Syria, and of Arabia, in order to consecrate themselves to the perpetual and exclusive service of Jesus, whom alone they loved, for "they loved not their lives unto death." Well might the Apostle add, m the twelfth verse, "Therefore rejoice, O ye heavens, and ye that dwell therein." For if the angels rejoice over the sinner that doeth penance, what shall not be the joy of these heavenly spirits over the just, who give their lives by martyrdom fer the love of Christ, and who consecrate themselves to His love in the most holy monastic state, renouncing the world, and the pleasures of the world.

But it was to be expected that this bright vision would seen be troubled; while the probationary state of man endures, the bright blue sky of God's serene heaven must often and often be clouded over, and storms and tempests must try the shrubs and trees even in God's sacred Eden, the Catholic Church, to prove whether they be truly and firmly rooted in Christ; and so no sooner does St. John be-