He sees,
but does not understand
(J.
C. Ryle, "Inspiration" 1877)
The Bible alone explains the
state of things that we
see in the world around us. There are many things
on earth which a natural man cannot explain . . .
the amazing inequality of conditions,
the poverty and distress,
the
oppression and persecution,
the shakings
and tumults,
the constant
existence of uncured evils and abuses
--all these things are often puzzling to him. He
sees,
but does not understand. But the Bible makes it all
clear. The Bible can tell him that the whole world lies
in wickedness--that the prince of the world, the devil,
is everywhere--and that it is vain to look for perfection
in the present order of things. The Bible will tell him
that neither laws nor education can ever change men's
hearts, and that no man will do much good in the world,
unless he always remembers that human nature is
fallen,
and that the world he lives in, is full of sin.