Who can
enumerate?
(Lewis
Bayly, "The Practice of Piety--Directing a
Christian how to live, that he may please God" 1611)
Oh, with what a body of sin are you compassed
about, in this world of wickedness!
What are your eyes--but windows to behold vanities?
What are your ears--but flood-gates to let in the
streams of iniquity?
What are your senses--but matches to give fire
to your lusts?
What is your heart--but the anvil whereon Satan
has forged the ugly shape of all lewd affections?
You see in daily experience, that . . .
he who was rich yesterday, is today a beggar;
he who yesterday was in health, today is sick;
he who yesterday was merry and laughing,
has cause today to mourn and weep;
he who yesterday was in favor, today is in disgrace;
and he who yesterday was alive, today is dead!
And you know not how soon, nor in what manner
you shall die yourself!
Who can enumerate . . .
the losses,
the crosses,
the griefs,
the disgraces,
the sicknesses,
the calamities,
which are incident to sinful man?