The Devil. "But the beings that people the earth come upon it successively. So also, in heaven, new stars arise—different effects of varying causes."
Anthony. "The varying of causes is the will of God!"
The Devil. "But to admit several acts of will in God is to admit various causes, and therefore to deny his unity.
"His will is inseparable from his essence. He can have but one will, having but one essence; and inasmuch as he externally exists, he acts eternally.
"Contemplate the sun! From its surface leap vast jets of flame, casting forth sparks that disperse beyond to become worlds here-after;—and further than the last, far beyond those deeps where thou seest only night, whirl other suns,—and behind them others again, and beyond those yet others ... without end!"
Anthony. "Enough! Enough! I fear!—I will fall into the abyss!"
The Devil (pauses, and rocks Anthony gently in the midst of space).
"Nothingness is—not—there is no void! Everywhere and forever bodies move upon the immovable deeps of space! Were there boundaries to space, it would not be space, but a body only: it is limitless!"
Anthony (stupefied by wonder):