Портрет художника в юності

           ButeventhenhowmercifulwasGod!HetookpityonourpoordegradedparentsandpromisedthatinthefullnessoftimeHewouldsenddownfromheavenOnewhowouldredeemthem,makethemoncemorechildrenofGodandheirstothekingdomofheaven:andthatOne,thatRedeemeroffallenman,wastobeGod’sonlybegottenSon,theSecondPersonoftheMostBlessedTrinity,theEternalWord.

           —Hecame.Hewasbornofavirginpure,Marythevirginmother.HewasborninapoorcowhouseinJudeaandlivedasahumblecarpenterforthirtyyearsuntilthehourofHismissionhadcome.Andthen,filledwithloveformen,Hewentforthandcalledtomentohearthenewgospel.

           —Didtheylisten?Yes,theylistenedbutwouldnothear.Hewasseizedandboundlikeacommoncriminal,mockedatasafool,setasidetogiveplacetoapublicrobber,scourgedwithfivethousandlashes,crownedwithacrownofthorns,hustledthroughthestreetsbythejewishrabbleandtheRomansoldiery,strippedofhisgarmentsandhangeduponagibbetandHissidewaspiercedwithalanceandfromthewoundedbodyofourLordwaterandbloodissuedcontinually.

           —Yeteventhen,inthathourofsupremeagony,OurMercifulRedeemerhadpityformankind.Yeteventhere,onthehillofCalvary,Hefoundedtheholycatholicchurchagainstwhich,itispromised,thegatesofhellshallnotprevail.