CHAPTER XXV

THE OPPONENTS OF RELIGIOUS LIFE STRIVE TO PROVE THAT RELIGIOUS ARE ANTICHRISTS

As the enemies of religious speak much about the dangers which will befall the Church in her latter days, by the instrumentality of those whom they call the emissaries of Antichrist, we will now examine what means they use in order to ascertain who these emissaries of Antichrist will be. They assert that, these seducers will be, neither barbarians, nor Jews, nor Gentiles. But, this opinion is contrary to the prophecy of the Apocalypse: "Satan . . . shall seduce the nations which are over the four quarters of the Earth, Gog and Magog" (Apoc. xx. 7). On these words, the Gloss says: "Satan will first seduce these two nations; he will then proceed to deceive others." Or, according to another interpretation, by Magog is understood all persecutors who proceeded, at first by secret, and, afterwards, by open persecution. Hence, barbarians are not excluded from the persecution of Antichrist, as they would persuade us.

             But those who affirm that the emissaries of Antichrist will be neither Jews, nor Gentiles, are of opinion that they will be Christians, on account of the words of St. Paul: "Having an appearance indeed of godliness" (2 Tim. iii. 5), i.e., as the Gloss explains, "of the Christian religion." They hold, that the words of the Apostle apply to those, by whose instrumentality evil is to befall the Church in the latter days. But, in this assumption they make a great mistake. For, St. Paul did not mean, that the same men would be guilty of all the vices which he enumerates, but that some of his words would apply to some men, and that other parts of his reproof would be true of other persons. Hence, it is not necessary that all those who are likely to endanger the Church, should present an appearance of piety. It is merely implied that some of them will do so. In like manner, the early Church suffered persecution from believers and unbelievers alike. "In perils from the Gentiles . . . in perils from false brethren" (2 Cor. xi. 26).

             The emissaries of Antichrist, we are next told, will not be found among the manifestly wicked. This opinion is, however, clearly opposed to the 82nd Psalm (Deus quis similis erat tibi). The Gloss explains that the whole of that Psalm treats of the persecution of Antichrist. It adds, that, among his other emissaries, the "Philistines" signify them that are drunk with worldly luxury. St. Gregory, likewise, (20 Moral.), expounding the words of Job xxx., "Now I am turned into their song," says: "These are the words of the Church in her latter days, when oppressed by her enemies." Job says, in the same chapter: "The strength of whose hands was to me as nothing, and they were thought unworthy of life." St. Gregory interprets the passages which follow, of those who led manifestly evil and carnal lives.

             It is maintained, that the ministers of Antichrist will be found among those who seem to be good men. The proof of this assertion is supposed to exist in the words of Our Lord: "Take heed of false prophets" (Matt. vii. 14), and by other texts of the same nature. But, although some of the emissaries of Antichrist may wear an appearance of piety, it is not necessary, that they shall all seem godly. Christians of the early Church were persecuted, both by the impious, and by the apparently pious.

             The argument, that no one can lead another astray, unless he wear an appearance of virtue, is untrue. For, many more are misled by the pleasures of this world, and by fear of its sufferings, than by any seeming godliness.

             We are, further, told, that the ministers of Satan will be found among those who devote themselves to study. The proof of this opinion is said to lie in the words of St. Paul, "ever learning and never coming to a knowledge of the truth" (2 Tim. iii. 7). The inapplicability of this passage to the point in question, is shown by the fact, that St. Paul was referring, not to men who seduce others, but to silly women who suffer themselves to be led astray. Granted, however, that the words apply to men who mislead others, they can only refer to such, as, in their studies, depart from the way of truth. Hence, the text is often interpreted of heretics. Those who hold a contrary opinion, however, quote in support of it the following words of St. Gregory (13 Moral.), on Job xvi.: "Mine enemy hath beheld me with terrible eyes." "The incarnate Truth," says St. Gregory, "chose for His preachers, poor and simple men. But, Antichrist will send, as his Apostles, men who are cunning, and double-tongued, and imbued with the wisdom of the world."

             St. Gregory explains in another passage, who will be the learned men whom Antichrist will send. Commenting on the words of Isaias (xviii. 2), "who sendeth ambassadors upon the sea, and in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters," St. Gregory says: "He sends his ambassadors upon the sea; for he scatters his preachers throughout the world. The 'vessels of bulrushes,' signify the hearts of such as are wise in this world's wisdom. Hence, he that sendeth ambassadors in vessels of bulrushes upon the waters makes his preachers depend upon the wisdom of the world, and lead their vacillating hearers into sin." Therefore, the true preachers of Antichrist, are learned men, who lead worldly lives, and attract men to vice. But even if Antichrist were going to ruin the Church, by means of learned men, it would not be by their agency alone.

             We are, further, told that the envoys of Antichrist will be found among those learned men, whose opinion is esteemed as peculiarly weighty and valuable. "As if a man should consult God," it is said of Architophel (2 Kings xvi.). The seducers who will appear in the latter days of the Church are supposed to be typified by Architophel. For, as Architophel adhered, first to David, and then to Absalom; so, they will take part, first with Christ, and then with Antichrist. St. Paul says of them, first, that they will have an appearance of godliness, and then, that they will be, "men corrupted in mind, reprobate concerning the faith" (2 Tim. iii. 5). Stress is also laid on the words, "they came forth from us" (1 Ep. John ii. 19), which mean, as the Gloss says, "they shared with us in the Sacraments." But this quotation is no argument. For, St. Paul does not say of the men to whom he refers, that, at first they wore an appearance of piety, and that then, laying it aside, they became infidels. What he means is, that while these men had a superficial semblance of godliness, they were, at the same time, infidels at heart. There are many heretics who agree with the Church about the Sacraments; and there are some who receive the Sacraments, at least exteriorly. Even, if, on this account, they are typified by Architophel, that would not make it necessary for them to resemble Architophel in the astuteness of his counsels. This comparison is purely a figment of the imagination; just as the correspondence between the plagues of Egypt and the persecutions of the Church, is imaginary.

             It is, likewise, maintained, that the Apostles of Antichrist will be found among those who have vowed to obey the counsels. The ground for this opinion is supposed to exist in the following passage of St. Gregory. Commenting on the words of Job (xxx.), "at the right hand of my rising," St. Gregory says: "Calamities shall arise at the right hand of my rising. For, those who were believed to be chosen members of Christ, now come forward to persecute the Church." These words do not, however, apply, in any special manner, to those who are under an obligation to keep the counsels; for, by the right hand, or the chosen members of Christ, all good men are signified. This we know by the following passage of St. Gregory (ibid.): "All the faithful of Holy Church are spoken of under the name of the right hand." Even, however, though perfect men be understood by the expression, "right hand," this is no proof that the passage we have quoted is especially applicable to religious. For, men may be perfect in the order of charity, even though they be married. Prelates, in like manner, are in a state of perfection. Hence, it is not only religious who are meant by the chosen members of Christ. The fallacy contained in this argument makes it easy for us to see that which underlies the ensuing one. The enemies of religious assert, that religious are the future emissaries of Antichrist, on account of the words: "It will come to pass that Herod will seek the child to destroy him" (Matt. ii. 13). The Gloss comments on this passage, thus: "As soon as Christ came into the world, persecution arose against Him--a type of the future persecution of the Saints." From this it is argued, that, as at the coming of Our Lord, He was opposed by those who seemed to be the most wise and holy among men, (to wit the Scribes and Pharisees), so at the end of the world, the faithful of Christ will be attacked by those who will seem to be the best and wisest, viz., by learned and religious men. This argument, however, carries no weight. For, not only the Scribes and Pharisees, but the High priests, Annas and Caiphas, and the civil rulers, Herod and Pilate, persecuted Our Lord. Neither were all those who persecuted Him Scribes; for, some were only Pharisees. Hence, this argument does not prove, that the future persecutors of the Church are to be learned rather than illiterate religious, or religious rather than bishops, or religious rather than secular sovereigns, and dignitaries.

             From all the foregoing arguments, then, we are intended to conclude, that the heralds of Antichrist will be Christians, apparently virtuous, devoted to study, strong in giving advice, religious men, bound to the observance of the counsels. Thus, although names are not mentioned, the victims of this infamous charge are as clearly designated as if they were named. If Socrates be the son of Sophroniscus, we mean the same person, whether we speak of him as Socrates, or as the son of Sophroniscus. The mode in which the accusation is brought against religious is inexcusable; and it proves that a personal attack is intended.

             We will now refute the calumny point by point.

             1. The first error lies in defining the heralds of Antichrist as one race of men, when, as we know by the Gloss on Ps. lxxxii., Antichrists will spring from all classes of men.

             2. The second error lies in the fact, that, though diverse authorities may be quoted in support of individual points, no class of men furnishes all the necessary conditions. The emissaries of Satan who will mislead men may, perhaps, exist in great numbers; of which some may be religious, some astute in counsel, some learned, etc. But, perhaps, among all the number, not one will be found possessing all these qualifications.

             3. Even were some such men found amongst religious, other such might, likewise, be found amongst men who are not religious. Hence, this argument does not tell more against religious, than against seculars.

             4. If some religious are to be emissaries of Antichrist, all religious will not be his adherents. Perhaps very few religious will join Antichrist; as he is to recruit his ranks from all classes of men.

             5. It is praiseworthy to be a Christian, a learned man, a prudent counsellor, and a religious. These attributes, therefore, are no reason for concluding, that their possessor is to be a forerunner of Antichrist. Rather, if we are to believe Our Lord's teaching that, "every tree is known by its fruits," (Matt. vii.), we ought to expect good works from good men, and evil deeds from wicked men. Guided by this rule, we should look for the future emissaries of Satan among bad men.