Портрет художника в юності

           Hehadlongbeenpatient,pleadingwiththesinfulsoul,givingittimetorepent,sparingityetawhile.Butthattimehadgone.Timewastosinandtoenjoy,timewastoscoffatGodandatthewarningsofHisholychurch,timewastodefyHismajesty,todisobeyHiscommands,tohoodwinkone’sfellowmen,tocommitsinaftersinandtohideone’scorruptionfromthesightofmen.Butthattimewasover.NowitwasGod’sturn:andHewasnottobehoodwinkedordeceived.Everysinwouldthencomeforthfromitslurkingplace,themostrebelliousagainstthedivinewillandthemostdegradingtoourpoorcorruptnature,thetiniestimperfectionandthemostheinousatrocity.Whatdiditavailthentohavebeenagreatemperor,agreatgeneral,amarvellousinventor,themostlearnedofthelearned?AllwereasonebeforethejudgementseatofGod.Hewouldrewardthegoodandpunishthewicked.Onesingleinstantwasenoughforthetrialofaman’ssoul.Onesingleinstantafterthebody’sdeath,thesoulhadbeenweighedinthebalance.Theparticularjudgementwasoverandthesoulhadpassedtotheabodeofblissortotheprisonofpurgatoryorhadbeenhurledhowlingintohell.

           Norwasthatall.God’sjusticehadstilltobevindicatedbeforemen:aftertheparticulartherestillremainedthegeneraljudgement.Thelastdayhadcome.Thedoomsdaywasathand.Thestarsofheavenwerefallingupontheearthlikethefigscastbythefig-treewhichthewindhasshaken.