Портрет художника в юності

           Evertobeinhell,nevertobeinheaven;evertobeshutofffromthepresenceofGod,nevertoenjoythebeatificvision;evertobeeatenwithflames,gnawedbyvermin,goadedwithburningspikes,nevertobefreefromthosepains;evertohavetheconscienceupbraidone,thememoryenrage,themindfilledwithdarknessanddespair,nevertoescape;evertocurseandrevilethefouldemonswhogloatfiendishlyoverthemiseryoftheirdupes,nevertobeholdtheshiningraimentoftheblessedspirits;evertocryoutoftheabyssoffiretoGodforaninstant,asingleinstant,ofrespitefromsuchawfulagony,nevertoreceive,evenforaninstant,God’spardon;evertosuffer,nevertoenjoy;evertobedamned,nevertobesaved;ever,never;ever,never.O,whatadreadfulpunishment!Aneternityofendlessagony,ofendlessbodilyandspiritualtorment,withoutonerayofhope,withoutonemomentofcessation,ofagonylimitlessinintensity,oftormentinfinitelyvaried,oftorturethatsustainseternallythatwhichiteternallydevours,ofanguishthateverlastinglypreysuponthespiritwhileitrackstheflesh,aneternity,everyinstantofwhichisitselfaneternityofwoe.SuchistheterriblepunishmentdecreedforthosewhodieinmortalsinbyanalmightyandajustGod.

           —Yes,ajustGod!Men,reasoningalwaysasmen,areastonishedthatGodshouldmeteoutaneverlastingandinfinitepunishmentinthefiresofhellforasinglegrievoussin.