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/268

 fore, of Constantine indicated the completion of the first fermentation of humanity, namely, the fermentation of the pagan element. This was, it seems to me, the leavening of the first "measure of meal," spoken of by our Lord.

The second fermentation dates from Constantine to Luther, and this may be called the fermentation of the heretical element: which is the same as the Antichristian element: the element of the "False Christs" foretold by our Saviour. Amongst these the culminating and crowning personage is the False Prophet Mahomet. This fermentation came to its utmost height in the time of Luther, and issued in the severance of the northern nations from the Catholic Church, as it had previously severed the east from her dominion by the heresies that ensued upon Constantine's conversion, crowned as they were by the great apostasy of the Man of Sin, Mahomet. This fermentation, while it severed the chaff from the good grain, led to all those glorious definitions of Divine truth, by which the Church has guarded the deposit of revelation from the days of the Council of Nice down to those of the Council of Trent: and this was, as I think, the leavening of the second "measure of meal" spoken of by our Lord.

The third fermentation dates from Luther to