A pastime for parents

Child. This cometh to pass, not because some men are by nature less wicked then others: but because God by his providence doth limit, and restrain mens corruptions more or less, which he doth for the good of mankind: for if men were wholly left to themselves, corruption would so exceedingly break out into all manner of villainies, that there should be no living in the world.

Child. This commeth to passe, not because some men are by nature lesse wicked then others: but béecause God by his prouidence doth limit, and restraine mens corruptions more or lesse, which hée doth for the good of mankinde: for if men were wholly left to themselues, corruption would so excéedingly break out into all manner of villanies, that there should bée no liuing in the world.

Father. It seemeth by this that man is a most contagious and vile nature.

Child. The nature of man in regard of the corruption thereof, is the worst of all natures except the Devil, yea worse then the nature of beasts, as ⟨image 18⟩Lions, Wolves, Dogs, Swine, &c. for there is in mans nature some thing of every beasts nature. For he is proud as the Lyon, cruel as the Wolf, greedy as the Dog, crafty as the For, filthy as the Swine, lecherous as the Goat, &c. For look what degree of goodness we had in our first creation in Adam: the same degree of evil have we in the corruption of our nature by his fall.

Child. The nature of man in regard of the corruption thereof, is the worst of all natures except the Diuell, yea worse then the nature of beasts, as ⟨image 18⟩