Already from aboue such sweet inspires Of quickning mercy kindling my desires With glad assurances of Grace that I Would not lay downe and change my misery For all the worlds best happinesse that can Be coueted by any carnall man To glut his greedy senses with for his Must haue its end but mine eternall is I meane my happinesse in that I see The sweet opposer of my miserie Is now at hand But here I must retire My wearied Muse awhile till my desire Obtaine its happy complement and I Behold my solace with a clearer eie Yet ere I rest deare Father lo I come To tell in briefe this is â—he totall summe Of these my weake disputes and this is all That I can answer thee as Prodigall Here I haue acted out my part and now Great Maker lo it doth remaine that thou Enter the Theater lest haplesse I By leauing't thus should leaue a Tragedy Imperfect to beholders eyes which might Strike them with sorrow more then with delight Come then and perfit it that all may see There 's nothing hath perfection but from thee Lo I remaine the Prodigall be thou The louing Father see with pity how I am beset with miseries and see What great necessitie I haue of thee That haue not ought without thee see agen How earnestly I thirst for thee and then Looke backe vpon thy promises whereby Thou' rt bound to vs that are in misery Thus Father pity me thy sonne and then With lasting fauour take me home agen Into thy armes of mercy where when I Am knit againe by that eternall tie Of thy redeeming loue my tongue and pen Shall be continuall trumpeters to men To tell thy mercies and what thou hast done For him that was so prodigall a sonne O quickly then deare Father quickly hie To him that is so full of misery Now is the time behold my tedious plaint Hath tyred out my soule and she 'gins faint In these her deepe extremes my teares and groanes Enforce a silence to her weeping Tones These are her latest words Come mercy flye And take me vp Come quickly or I dye Thus ouercome with griefe my dolefull Muse Kept silence with my soule for euery sluce My weepers had brast forth in teares to stop The passage of my plaints and ouer-top My sighes from flying vp aloft till 〈◊〉 Had grieu'd so much that all within â—as dry My braine had lost its moisture to indite Some dreary song my pen might weepe to write To giue continuance to my griefes and heere Because I saw that Mercy was so neere I did resolue to rest my selfe and stay Vntill my soule had seene a happier day Proclaimed from aboue I meane wherein She shall be ransomed from death and sin And all her present miseries till when Come rest with me my wearied Muse and Pen For here I vow you shall not speake againe Till Mercy raise you to a sweeter straine The end of the first Booke AVSTINS VRANIA OR THE HEAVENLY MVSE The second Booke Wherein is set forth the great mystery of Mans Redemption by Christ Iesus and the free-will and merits of Papists being experimentally confuted the true and only meanes whereby we are to obtaine saluation is plainely declared to the great comfort of all those that either are or desire to be true Christians By S.A. B. of Arts of Ex. Colledge in Oxford 2. COR. 1.3 4. Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Iesus Christ the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort who comforteth vs in all our tribulation that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble by the comfort wherwith we our selues are comforted of God PSAL. 66.16 Come and heare all yee that feare God and I will declare what he hath done for my soule PSAL. 89.1 I will sing the mercies of the Lord for euer with my mouth will I make knowne thy faithfulnesse to all generations LONDON Printed by F.K. for Robert Allot and Henry Seile 1629. TO THAT HONORABLE GENTLEMAN Mr. IOHN ROBARTS Sonne to my Lord Robarts Baron of Truro in Cornwall the accomplishment of all true happinesse both in Grace and Glory c. Noble Sir I Haue here emboldned my selfe to intreate you also since you came hither so seasonably to be the second God-father of these my lowly conceptions and my hopes are that you will bee the easier wonne hereto because you haue so good a Compartner as my great Fauourer your diuine Tutor Neither is this all but I had many other most vrgent incitements to forward these my lawfull presumings first in that it was my happines to be your Countryman whence I thought it no meane disparagement both to my selfe and Country especially to your Honour that our Cornwalls Muses should not finde a Patron within their owne limits Secondly your happy growth in all vertuous perfections within these late yeeres as my selfe also amongst others haue seriously obseru'd to the great comfort of my soule with your extraordinary zeale and primarie deuotions to all diuine exercises hath been inough to inuite if not enforce mee to the humble presentment of these my desires and vtmost seruices to forward you If my Muse had here play'd the wanton I should haue thought her too toyish and altogether vnworthy your more serious and iudicious aspect but shee has been somewhat affected with those passions that were sometimes yours shee hath been bath'd in the teares of a deare mothers death but especially she hath desir'd to bee in all things heauenly and to please you euen in diuine contemplations and therefore cannot despaire of your good patronage I will no longer stand in commenting either on your vertues or mine owne endeauourings only I shall intreate you to know that there is none more sincerely desires your perfection in goodnesse then my selfe though haply you may haue many far better furtherers and in confirmation of this I haue heere humbly presented you this deare though poore conception of mine who like a weeping infant new brought into the world beseeches you with teares for its Patronage which if you but please to blesse it with and so make it liue famous in the world by being yours you shall not faile of his continuing prayers and thankfulnesse who desires to be euer Your true seruant in the Lord Iesus Samuel Austin From my Study in Exeter Colledge in Oxford this 11. of Aprill 1628. AN ADVERTISEMENT TO THE READERS ON my second Booke Good Readers IF I here come farre short of mine owne aymes and your expectations I shall intreate you to make this vse of it the apprehension of that great Mystery of saluation which I here treate of is a matter of far greater difficulty then at first I took it for yea sure it is an Art so hard and of so heauenly a nature that flesh and blood can neuer attaine the knowledge of it but it must be reuealed vnto vs from our Father which is in Heauen Whence it came to passe
AVSTINS VRANIA OR THE HEAVENLY MVSE IN A POEM FVLL OF MOST FEELING MEDITATIONS for the comfort of all soules at all times By S.A. B. of Arts of Ex. Colledge in Oxford Aut perlegas aut non legas What e'r thou be whose eyes doe chance to fall Vpon this Booke reade all or none at all LONDON Printed by F.K. for Robert Allot and Henry Seile 1629. An Apologie for my Muse that it chose this subiect before any other which might seeme more pleasing to the Times I Write not newes of Ree or our late Fleet For Rochels ayde or of the States that meet In our great present Parliament to cure Those wounds our dearest England doth endure For her both hid and open sinnes Oh no It is not fit for me who am so low To speake when greater tongues are tyde but I Bring newes from Heau'n wrapt in a mystery The sweetest newes that e'r was heard and such That cannot chuse but please yet 't is not much And therefore easier to be borne In briefe It is a remedy ' gainst euery griefe Of these our present troublous times I meane To those alone that crie Vncleane vncleane And faine would be washt white from sinne and be Secur'd also from all the miserie That followes it those Iudgements now that threat Our Englands fall if Mercy proue not great Thus haue I thought the safest way to please By writing what might giue to all men ease S. A. E Musaeo meo in Coll. Exon. in Oxonio 26. Maij 1628. AVSTINS VRANIA OR THE HEAVENLY MVSE Being a true story of mans fall and redemption set forth in a Poem containing two Bookes whereof one resembles the Law the other the Gospell Wherein is chiefly imitated the powerfull expressions of holy Scripture very necessary to be read of all both Diuines and others especially those who labour vnder the heauie burden of their sinnes and would faine be comforted By S.A. B. of Arts of Ex. Colledge in Oxford 1. TIM 4.12 Let no man despise thy youth c. IOHN 3.16 For God so loued the world that he gaue his onely begotten Sonne that whosoeuer beleeueth in him should not perish but haue euerlasting life ROM 5.19 21. For as by one mans disobedience many were made sinners so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous That as sinne hath reigned vnto death euen so might Grace reigne through righteousnesse vnto eternall life by Iesus Christ our Lord. LONDON Printed by F.K. for Robert Allot and Henry Seile 1629. TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFVLL THE especiall fauourer of my Studies Mr. Dr. PRIDEAVX the Kings Professor of Diuinitie and the most deseruing Rector of Exeter Colledge in Oxford Grace and peace c. Reuerend Sir IT may haply seeme strange vnto you to receiue such a Present as this from my hands but when you haue well consider'd it and the occasion of it I doubt not but without further wondring you will be ready to challenge it before any other as your owne principall due It is not your minde I know that I should here proclaime vnto the world the many dutifull ties and speciall engagements wherein I stand bound vnto you how that next vnder God I haue liu'd in this happy place aboue this foure yeeres especially by sucking in the sweet ayre of your continuing fauours and not so onely but how in a neerer kinde of reference you haue vouchsafed to take me into your owne Diuine Tutorage and honour'd me beyond all desert with the priuiledge of vsuall disputes before your selfe amongst those that were your Noble Scholers How much these and the like may serue for the illustration of your goodnes I well know not in that you plac'd your fauours on so low and worthlesse a subiect but I am sure they stand with my credit for euer to remember them for which and for diuers other particular respects if I had not iust occasion to present you these first fruits of my Studies which were nourish'd vp in your owne Garden yet here againe I could appeale vnto you as to a common Patron or Godfather as it were of the Diuiner Muses If I had made choice of any other Muse then Vrania or if my Subiect were not Diuine I would not haue presum'd to approach your eyes with it or intreate the world might know it vnder your Patronage But since all these circumstances doe so happily conspire and if these my labours may also prooue any way beneficiall to Gods Church and Children by your good approuement let them I beseech you as my first conceptions haue leaue to breathe forth their sorrows to the world vnder your Name Neither let it bee accounted my pride that I seeke after the vain-glory of the world by being in Print for these I hope can sufficiently witnesse for mee that if I glory in any thing it is with Paul in my infirmities after this manner would I haue the world take notice of me and to amend in themselues what they finde defectiue in me but if any thing herein seeme praise-worthy I would intreate all men to know that this came from a higher Spirit and my selfe can glory in nothing of it but by being the Instrument If you knew but the paines I haue suffer'd in trauell hereof how many precious houres and dayes I haue detain'd from those sports and vanities which are common to others yea how much time I haue stolne from my other priuate Studies which lay of necessitie on mee in this place and sacred them onely to this and then againe when I came about it with earnest intents how vnaptly I was disposed for it how ready for any thing besides it what drowzinesse would set vpon me and when I went sometimes more happily onwards by the strength of Gods Spirit what Legions of euill thoughts would suddenly interrupt me in briefe what heauy and hard conflicts and what a tedious trauell I haue had as God knowes in the producing of it I dare promise my selfe it would make your yeelding heart e'en bleed to thinke on 't Had I gone about any any worke of vanitie I am sure I should haue had the World Flesh and Diuell at hand to forward it but this hath shewed it selfe to be a worke of a contrary nature and hath had all these as earst Nehemiah had Sanballat and his complices conspirators to hinder it But now thankes bee to my God after two yeeres tedious trauell I haue at length finished it And since it has growne vp hitherto vnder your Tuition I doe here also humbly commend it to you for its future preseruation and fauour in publishing it which if you please but daine mee I dare promise its life shall prooue so thankefull vnto you as besides mine owne prayers procure you the blessings of many other soules for preseruing it To which great fauour I shall onely craue this one addition for the crowning of my desires that I may alwayes retaine my wonted priuiledge in being euer Your Worships
shades may bid adue While his sweet rayes come vsh'ring in the day Or run as Iohn before to make the way And here great Lord come raise mee vp so high According to thy word that now mine eie May soare vp to thy Mercy-seate and there As Heau'ns pure eyes fixt in a holier Spheare Bee freed from all corruptions taint while I Go bathe my soule in that sweet Theorie Of thine eternall loue and when I see Those high prerogatiues I haue by thee How thou hast made mee free from death from sin From hell and all those miseries wherein I now lye plung'd and those whereto I tend As of my selfe and lesse thy Grace descend And quickly come and take mee vp alas I needs must fall and when it comes to passe That thy sweet Comforter shall come and tell To my sad soule againe that all is well VVith mee and when I feele thy quickning Sprite That harbenger and pledge of true delight Beare witnesse vnto mine that I am made Free man of Grace whereof I 'ue but a shade Whiles here on earth but shall hereafter haue The very substance much as I can craue Or shall know how to wish as earst to me Thou didst declare in that sweet mysterie Of thy great loue then shall my tongue and pen Be wholly votaries to thee and then My sad Vrania whose now weeping eies Are quite worne out with plainings teares and cries When she but apprehends those gladsome raies Shall metamorphose all her notes to praise And I myselfe with all I haue will be As one that 's wholly consecrate to thee Who am alone redeem'd by thee Oh then Here come my God here quickly come agen And take me vp here let me sweetly heare Those heau'nly tunes againe which did while-ere Giue such reuiuals to my soule that I Was almost past my Sea of miserie Ne'r to be plung'd in it againe if thou Hadst not so suddenly with-drawne the brow Of that sweet Sun-shine of thy Grace whereby I 'gan to see the blessed libertie Of those who are the sonnes of God But come Great Maker now and what thou hast begun In me thy creature perfit vp that so When after-ages shall both see and know How kindly thou hast dealt with me they may Appeale to thee in like extremes and pray To thee alone for helpe seeing that I Dauids poore man did humbly call and crie To thee and was deliuer'd for if he Were heard they 'le say then doubtlesse so shall we What wilt thou more This is the time and place As earst I said thou seest I want thy Grace So much poore soule as scarce I 'm able call To thee for Grace and if thou 'lt let me fall Alas I 'm ready to consent altho It be my thraldome to eternall woe Ne'r thence to be redeem'd againe nay more Alas I cannot chuse but fall so poore And weake a wretch am I that faine if I Might haue my will 〈◊〉 decreed to die I 'd seeke out opportunities wherein I would enact sâ—me higâ—â—vnhallowed sin That might exclude not quite from thee alas Such are the deeds my selfe would being to passe And none but such and then how canst thou haue A fitter opportunitie to saue Then now thou hast in me Was euer man Brought neerer yet to hell then now I am That want but one vnhappie step Oh no There 's none can fall to greater deepes of woe Vnlesse he fall to hell it selfe for I Am the next step so full of miserie As quite ore-come with it or one whose sense Is dull'd with its exceeding violence That so I cannot feele my selfe vnlesse It be like him that 's in a drowzinesse Or some vnhappie Lethargie whereby He dully feeles but knowes not how to crie Or plaine himselfe or call for helpe and sure This dangerous sicknesse is beyond the cure Of humans best preseruatiues which can At most but reach vnto the outward man To ease or comfort that awhile but when Those heauie pangs oppresse the soule O then All these are vaine for what were it if I Should liue in body whiles in soule I die Alas this were the life of death when that Which is my bodies life is dead But what What doe I meane Why is my troubled sprite Distracted thus Can griefe be infinite Which rises from that inward sight of sin Whereby we waile that wofull â—ase wherein We see our selues by nature and whereby We learne betimes to climbe so humbly hie As wholly to forsake our selues and cast Our hopes alone on thee who onely hast The treasures of eternall life Sure no This is that happie path by which we goe Into the way of sauing 〈◊〉 and this Is that sweet mâ—lium to our future bliâ— Through which indeed we must before we may Approach those 〈◊〉 of eternall day Here then deare God here will I humbly waite With lowly confidence in this my straite A straite more great then Dauids was when hee Did earst betake himselfe alone to thee Because thy mercies were so great and here Because thy mercies also are full neere In mid'st of humanes greatest deepes that hence We might obserue 't is thy Omnipotence And Goodnesse onely that relieues when wee Are ready to despaire because we see Nought else but death within our selues and how There 's nought beside can doe vs good that thou May'st be made all in all because I say Thou art so good here will I humbly stay Vntill thy mercies raise me vp euen here Confounded in my plaints without a teare To tell my further griefes to verifie That sorrow in extremes is alwaies drie Here will I lay me downe here will I stay Alas because I haue no more to say For lo I 'm dead in sinne and griefe Oh then Here let thy goodnesse shew it selfe my Pen And Muse can speake no more till thou descend And teach them more needs must I make an end And thus in deepes of this my silent griefe I humbly waite for answer of reliefe Here laying downe my selfe much like a man That 's carelesse growne I sleepingly began To drowzie out my dayes not caring how I plai'd the Prodigall with time for now Said I Sure I can doe no more mine eies Are wearied with my teares my sighes and cries Haue quite ore-whelm'd my feeble soule and I Am plunged in so deepe a miserie That now I know not what to doe alas For who am I My pilgrim-daies doe passe Away as shades and still the more I haue Of life the more I doe approach my graue All this I see aye me and more then this That very cloud that hinders all my blisse My sinnes doe still increase on me yâ—â— they Will haue no interruptions though my day Be clouded ere so much they will not cease To vex my soule nor let me liue in peace Alas and these distract me quite while I Haue not