Chapter VIII. How the will of man by Gluttony, Curiosity and Pride, and by all the senses of the Body rebels against the Divine Voice

At this the old Beldam, raging mad leaps out of the Bed, and forgetting all her sickness, comes forth with her hair about her ears, her garment rent, her breasts naked, scratching her wounds, gnashing her teeth, and infecting the very air with her virulent breath. If there yet remain any thing of reason in the Sinner, how can he be but wholly confounded at such a sad meeting and attack of the miserable will as this? What, says she, is this your Conjugal Faith and Fidelity? do you thus compassionate my sorrows? Is this your forbearing to add grief to my wounds? Perhaps it seemed to you, that something of my too great Dowry was to be taken from me; but this being taken away, what's left me? This is all you gave to me miserable Paralytick, and you did once know how all its Services were distributed. But now if perhaps you have forgotten the triple malignity of this worst of Diseases of which I am sick, yet I have not forgotten it. For I am Voluptuous, I am Curious, I am Ambitious, and by reason of these three Ulcers there is no soundness in me, from the sole of my foot to the crown of my head. Therefore my jaws, and the obscener parts of my body are deputed to pleasure, seeing you will needs have me recount all particulars a new. The wandring foot, and undisciplin'd eye serve Curiosity. The ears and tongue are at the beck of Vanity, whilst by the former the oil of Sinners makes fat my head, and by the other I my self supply, when they seem to have come short, or to have done too little in my praises. For I am greatly delighted both to receive praises from others, and, as opportunity serves, to praise my self also; ever desiring to be commended and extolled by my own mouth, and by the mouths of others. To which Disease your wit or reason is wont especially to administer very much matter or nouriture. Moreover, the hands which are free to be moved every way, these we do not depute to any special work, but they exhibit a very diligent service; sometimes to Vanity, sometimes to Curiosity, and other whiles to Pleasure. All which things being so disposed, none of them could ever yet in any one thing fully satisfy me; because the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing; and I wish sometimes, when I am beholding something that likes me, that my whole body were made an eye; or when I am at meat, that all my members were turned into jaws. And do you now attempt to take from me this little comfort, which I in a manner beg? Thus she. And with indignation and fury going away, I am in possession, said she, and long, long will I hold it.