Портрет художника в юності

           Theywillrepentindeed:andthisisthesecondstingofthewormofconscience,alateandfruitlesssorrowforsinscommitted.Divinejusticeinsiststhattheunderstandingofthosemiserablewretchesbefixedcontinuallyonthesinsofwhichtheywereguilty,andmoreover,assaintAugustinepointsout,GodwillimparttothemHisownknowledgeofsin,sothatsinwillappeartotheminallitshideousmaliceasitappearstotheeyesofGodHimself.Theywillbeholdtheirsinsinalltheirfoulnessandrepentbutitwillbetoolateandthentheywillbewailthegoodoccasionswhichtheyneglected.Thisisthelastanddeepestandmostcruelstingofthewormofconscience.Theconsciencewillsay:Youhadtimeandopportunitytorepentandwouldnot.Youwerebroughtupreligiouslybyyourparents.Youhadthesacramentsandgraceandindulgencesofthechurchtoaidyou.YouhadtheministerofGodtopreachtoyou,tocallyoubackwhenyouhadstrayed,toforgiveyouyoursins,nomatterhowmany,howabominable,ifonlyyouhadconfessedandrepented.No.Youwouldnot.Youfloutedtheministersofholyreligion,youturnedyourbackontheconfessional,youwalloweddeeperanddeeperinthemireofsin.Godappealedtoyou,threatenedyou,entreatedyoutoreturntoHim.O,whatshame,whatmisery!TheRuleroftheuniverseentreatedyou,acreatureofclay,toloveHimWhomadeyouandtokeepHislaw.No.Youwouldnot.