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/275

 lance between the statements of prophecy, and the phantoms of his own brain.

But while, on the other hand, we may feel convinced who and what is the great Antichrist so often foretold in Divine Scripture, let us never forget those remarkable words with which St. John ushers him into our consideration: "Little children, there are many Antichrists." The inspired Apostle tells us who these Antichrists were,—they were seducing spirits, that had gone forth from the apostolic communion. And so, though Mahomet be the great and crowning Antichrist, all heresies are Antichrist, and Mahomet is the Antichrist above all others, because his heresy is the greatest and the worst that has ever desolated the Church.

We have shown the absurdity of those interpreters who would refer to the pope and the religion of the pope,—that is, to the Catholic religion, the Divine prophecies relating to Antichrist, but we have also shown that all such interpreters of prophecy are themselves emissaries and disciples of Antichrist. What remains but that all who adhere to Catholicity in these perilous times should look well to themselves, and earnestly pray for grace to live worthy of their holy vocation, so that they be