[ 1813] Mans Nothingnesse.
JOsephus Phavorinus a learned Physitian of Italy,* 1.1 marvelled at nothing in the World but Man, and at nothing in Man but his mind; And Abdala the Saracen King of Toledo being asked what he most wondred at upon the stage of the World?* 1.2 answered, Man; One calls God an immortall Man, and Man an immortall God; Another sets him out as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a little World, and the World 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a great Man: Now these Men were not certainly so well∣knowing of Gods word and Mans sin, and of the matter that Man was made of, as they should have been, Whereas such as know God in his most excellent glory, and Man in his best estate to be but Vanity, turn'd from his Innocency to Iniquity;* 1.3 must and do acknowledg themselves to be less then the least of Gods mercies,* 1.4 such as he created being Nothing, recreated being worse then nothing, and without great Mercy on his part are like to fall again to No∣thing.