Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

How unworthy is it for dust and ashes kneaded together in time, to strut against the Father of Eternity? Much more unworthy for that which is nothing, worse than nothing, to quarrel with that which is only being, and equal himself with him, that Inhabits Eternity.

2. What being we have, had a beginning. After an unaccountable Eternity was run out, in the very dregs of time, a few years ago we were created, and made of the basest and vilest dross of the world, the slime and dust of the Earth; made of that, wherewith Birds build their nests; made of that, which Creeping things make their habitation, and beasts trample upon; How monstrous is pride in such a Creature, to aspire, as if he were the Father of Eternity, and as Eternal as God, and so his own Eternity?

3. What being we have, is but of a short duration in regard of our life in this World. Our life is in a constant change, and flux, we remain not the same an entire day; youth quickly succeeds Child-hood, and age as speedily treads upon the heels of youth; there is a continual defluxion of minutes, as there is of sands in a glass. He is as a Watch wound up at the beginning of his life, and from that time is running down, till he comes to the bottom; some part of our lives is cut off every day, every minute. Life is but a moment, what is past cannot be recalled; what is future cannot be ensured: If we enjoy this moment, we have lost that which is past, and shall presently lose this by the next that is to come.

3. What being we have, is but of a short duration in regard of our life in this World. Our life is in a constant change, and flux, we remain not the same an intire day; youth quickly succeeds Child-hood, and age as speedily treads upon the heels of youth; there is a continual defluxion of minutes, as there is of sands in a glass. He is as a Watch wound up at the beginning of his life, and from that time is running down, till he comes to the bottom; some part of our lives is cut off every day, every minute. Life is but a moment, what is past cannot be recalled; what is future cannot be ensured: If we enjoy this moment, we have lost that which is past, and shall presently lose this by the next that is to come.