teaching and admonishing Thus Aaron-like to God he doth present Our prayers praises tythes and offering For Aarons Office Christs did represent And makes them giue to God an acceptable sent Prayer is mans best fence the Angells ioy The Deuills torture Gods sweet sacrifice We by her meanes all blessings here enioy By prayer we obtaine here to be wise By prayer with th' Almighty we aduise By reading he doth answere vs againe But our Lip-labour he doth all despise Ah what doe then those simple people gaine Which in a tongue vnknowne doe mutter praiers vaine Oh! when the Spirit with vnderstanding pray's And ev'n the Heart with sighs and groanes vp sends To him that willing able is alway's Vs from Hell Death and danger to defend Then as a Bullet doth the welkin rend Blowne with the force of Powder and of Fire So doe our Prayers vp to Heau'n ascend By Zeale and Force of spirituall desire Where they of God obtaine all things they can require Moses gain'st Amalec doth more preuaile By Prayer and by holding vp his hands Then mighty Iosuah though he doth assaile Them with his strong and most selected bands At Iosuahs short sweet Prayer the Sun still stands Till hee 's auenged of his enemy's Elisha all the Host of God commands Him to relieue in his necessity's Ev'n Fiery Horse and Charrets keep him where he lies Prayer is able by plaine strength to wring From hand-breadth Cloud an Ocean of Raine And Captiues out of Babylon to bring To worship in Hierusalem againe The Angell striv'd with Iacob but in vaine Without a Blessing he will not vnloose Zenacharibs whole Host was spoyl'd and slaine By Hezekias Prayer when we close With God by Prayer we our holds must neuer loose The Rains-horns Trumpets which seav'n Priests did blow Most liuely doe strong Prayer represent Which with the peoples shout did ouerthrow Proud walls of Iericho to astonishment Of all the wicked that therein are pent This was the musick Aarons sonnes did sound With Trumpets when to warre the people went When Daniel in Lyons Den was found True Prayer from their jawes him kept both safe and sound T is not our words God lookes on but the mind Not to the place but to the true intent In dungeon Ieremy did comfort find And Iob vpon the dunghill takes content Three Children in the fiery Fornace pent Are heard when Praises they to God doe sing The Thiefe from Crosse as gratefull Prayers sent As from his Temple Solomon the King The Hermits Cell may oft as loud as Steeple ring Not that from publike Prayer I purloine Of which Gods house hath her denomination Where Priests and peoples hearts and voices ioyn To teare the skies with cryes and supplication Oh Force vnited of a Congregation In Gods owne house of Prayer gathered For Praise Petition or for Deprecation God nought denyeth so petitioned And wee thus from all euill are deliuered When Peter slept with chaines in prison bound On each side Souldiers Keepers at the doore The Church doth pray though hee sleepe fast and sound And God him loosed from his chaines therefore And when the Angell lighteth him before The Iron Gate opes of his owne accord Pauls Dauids Samuells a thousand more Of Prayers you may find vpon record All which may seem to bind toth ' Peace our angry Lord. I all conclude with his most heav'nly one Who did in day's of his Humility With loudest cry's in Spirit sigh and groane For Freedome of that dire calamity Which came on him for our Iniquitie And though he Legions could of Angells call To saue him from inhumane cruelty Yet Lamb-like did before his Shearer fall Submitting to his Fathers will and pleasure all Without vs God will nothing for vs doe We therefore must prepare to fight alway And without God we can nor stand nor goe And therefore must be alwayes swift to pray If these so pray'd when Foes did them assay When Flesh and Bloud with Flesh and Bloud did fight What shall we in this dangerous great affray When we encounter with spirituall might Which in his Agony did Christ our Head affright But ah we at our first conuersion pray Most feruently oft for the nouelty But after negligent cold sleeping say Our Pater-noster in security Thou sleep'st secure but ah thine Enemy Doth watch thee thyn ev'n napping to surprise We then to God withall our hearts doe cry When as no thoughts withdraw vs otherwise Alas but few or none pray often in this wise Oh! that a man of base and filthy mould Should dare fall downe before Gods glorious Throne His wants and imperfections to vnfold And haue his heart like Nabals dead as stone When Angells that come neere that holy One Are faine their face to couer with their wings So bright his Glorious Maiesty hath showne Who is the Lord of Lords and King of Kings The searcher of our reines and tryer of all things When I no longer able am to fight Like Moses let me lift vp hands and pray Against the inuisible Amalekite That spiritually doth seeke my soule to slay When I with Faith two words Our Father say I pardon beg for Sin Freedome from paine Gods Heyre and Sonne Christs Brother I that day Am made and gifts of Holy Ghost doe gaine Then let me neuer mumble ouer words in vaine But I confesse though I doe often proue There is no comfort like this one to pray That is bestow'd on man from Heav'n aboue Yet find I Satan prest and busie ay Mee in this holy duty to assay By wandring Thoughts and vaine imaginations Which oft'doe lead my Mind so far astray I am bereau'd of Heav'nly cogitations And change for idle fancy 's holy meditations But Prayer doth so please my Muses straine That I omitted haue of Praise to sing The Sacrifice we offer here againe For all the Bounty of our heav'nly King I liken her to Prayers either wing Forgiuing wrongs and Almes vnto the poore Our holy liuely spirituall Offering Of Body Soule Heart Tongue and all our store With true Obedience to God for euermore Whilst here of Benefits no end we find How should we euer make an end of praise Oh happy Bands that vs for euer bind Ev'n when our Soules and Body's Chrisi shall raise Our praise shall be eternall like our day's He that his time in praise and hymnes would spend I him referre to Dauids heav'nly Layes Diuinely by the holy Spirit pend My Muse now out of Breath cannot this Mount ascend Oh let my voyce and heart together ioyne God of the lips accepts not but the heart Grant that my life in Holinesse may shine That Conscience may euer beare apart Presumptuous man that darst thy Maker thwart To poure out fond petitions base and vaine When thou consid'rest before whom thou art Him that doth all leud lying lips disdaine And Hypocrites rewardeth with infernall paine If prayer be right pure sincere and meeke It neuer empty shall returne againe For God will
And taught how to assault our enemy's They with our Sword may be discomfited And we from Hell and Bondage safe deliuered I of this Military Art doe know No Tutor like to holy supplication Prayer who vse of all our Armes doth show The Serieant Maior of our Militation Diuinest Prayer holy Meditation Whereby with God we haue sweet conference About the mysteries of Mans Saluation And call the Angells downe for our defence 'Gainst Flesh's Worlds and Deuils hostile violence Prayer who though her knees bow in the dust Yet are her vpper parts aboue the sky And doe into th' Almighty's presence thrust To craue of all we want a new supply Which like to clouds of incense vp doe flye If offered by his Sonnes sweet mediation Whose iust requests no Father can deny Oh offer mine then That this Meditation May be directed by thy Spirits illumination True Prayer is the opening the desire Ev'n of our Heart and Soule to God aright Them powring out to him that doth require We should lay open all before his sight The Sacrifice wherein he doth delight A sure defence to him that right doth pray The Scourge wherewith we Sin and Satan smite And powers all and policies gainsay Our surest Refuge in each dangerous Affray For Christian Souldier neuer kneeleth downe And lifts his heart vp towards Heav'n to pray But all his Foes spirituall him arowne Assault and labour him herein to stay Then is it time for him about to lay With his sharp Sword to put them all to flight And for to arme each part lest they him slay With Greaues Belt Brestplate Shield and Helmet bright In Faith Hope Patience Truth and Righteousnesse to fight By rules of Art I Prayer may diuide To these two Heads Thankesgiuing Inuocation The second I in three doe subdiuide Petition Intercession Deprecation First seekes Gods Glory and our owne Saluation The second doth for others make petition So Christ doth intercede by mediation By last we doe intreat for sins remission And be deliuer'd from all ill and superstition But as the Sauldier be he ne're so strong Well arm'd and skil'd in points of Schoole-defence If that his spirit faint is laid along So if we in our Armes haue confidence And not relye on Gods sole Prouidence His Spirit which helpeth our infirmities And doth instruct to pray with reuerence Sending vp heart and soule by sighs and cry's For all our Armes and strength our Foes will vs surprise For Spirit is the cause efficient Of all our prayers that to Heav'n ascend Though Faith be the Internall instrument By which we all things aske doe apprehend With Faith and Spirit Prayer Heav'n doth rend And whatsoeuer shee in Christ his name Doth aske the Father downe to vs will send This Pagans saw though otherwise to blame That Christians nothing beg but they obtaine the same All Blessings spirituall and temporall Publike and priuate for our Selues and Friends All that in this life or a better fall To vs almighty God for Prayer sends When Heau'n is shut vp that no dew descends If we forsake our sins and pray for raine The Heau'n on vs abundant showers spends Though Foes vs captiue from our City's traine Yet Prayer makes vs Free and brings vs home againe If Dearth Drowth Pestilence be in the Land Or City's be besieg'd by enemies Then if the cause thereof we vnderstand Our sins And seeke by Prayer remedy God will be mercifull accordingly Yea if a Stranger of an Heathen Nation Doe call on God by Prayer heartily And of his life doe seeke a reformation His Prayer shall be heard by Christ his mediation Thus Prayer is for all things profitable If her true obiect she doe neuer misse One God who gracious willing is and able And of our Heart the only Searcher is All things that are in Heau'n and Earth are his We must no person in the Deity Omit when as we pray to him for Blisse All workes externall in the Trinity Are one though their internall haue variety Diuinest Pater-noster whose one Word In it more heau'nly matter doth containe Than one whole hour's babbling can afford Suddaine abortiues of an idle braine With tedious turnings repetitions vaine Out tumbling all that in their stomach lies Which often goe beyond this Prayers straine As if they were more feruent or more wise Than he that for our patterne did it first deuise Pure Prayer made by serious meditation Or by this holy patterne rightly pend Briefe spirituall sublime ejaculation With feruent Fury doth to Heau'n ascend And to the marke like swiftest arrow tend God is in Heau'n thou kneelest on the ground To him therefore no rash petitions send Therein let matter more than words abound And inward sighs and groanes than outward plaints and sound But Prayer though by thy two mighty wings Of Loue and Meeknesse thou to Heau'n canst sore And come in presence of the King of Kings By pard'ning wrongs and giuing to the poore Presume not on thy merits ere the more That Brightnesse who doth sit vpon the Throne Angells not able are to stand before Alas how dar'st thou then there stand alone Without the mediation of the Holy One. Like birdlime merits so thy wings besmeare That thou not able art to take thy slight Aboue the Firmament or to come neere That euershining Lamp of Heau'nly Light Which ought thy Prayers to direct aright In Knowledge Meeknesse and Humility By which we feele and haue and inward sight Of our vnworthinesse and misery And seeke else where for worth and true felicity Eu'n to that liuely Fountaine of the Lamb Which is a deepe well wondrously profound From which by Prayer breaking vp the dam We draw vp waters which doe there abound The depth of this rich Well no Grace can sound But feruent Prayer when as Shee doth desire To coole her thirst with waters therein found wherewith if once we coole our thirst like Fire The more we drinke thereof the hotter's our desire An Oxes lowing barking of a Dog Grunting of Swine doth more the Lord delight Than Prayers which the World and Flesh so clog They come not from vs with a Heart and Sprite And as no salue or medicine hath might To heale the wound which Iron doth containe So Prayer neuer profiteth that wight In whom Hypocrisie or guile remaine For these still fester deeper to the Patients paine God is our Soules Physitian and know's best What for her sicknesse is best remedy And therfore when we needfull things request Of him for this our lifes necessitie He better then his Patient can descry What is most fit to keepe him from the graue And cure him of his spirituall malady Wherefore when we receiue not what we craue We know Christ better know's than we what need we haue Gods Word 's the Sword whereby our Lord doth sway And rules his Church here as he is a King As Priest he offers praises and doth pray As Prophet he glad tidings vs doth bring Most wisely
either grant vs what we seeke Or giue vs that shall be our greater gaine Mine Heart mine heart Lord doth reioyce amaine Ay in thine House of Prayer to abide Where Swallow's build and Sparrow's are full faine To lay their young ones by thine Altars side Mee neuer let the Spirit of Prayer be deny'd But since I ought to pray continually How should my Pen of Prayer make an end My Sauiour praying on the Crosse did dye With Prayer Steuen his Soule to Heav'n did send But I began with Prayer let mee end With Praises to the Horne of my Saluation Who sure I hope his blessed Spirit did send To guide mee in this holy Meditation Which fills my Tongue with Praise Heart with Admiration FINIS VRANIA OR THE HEAVENLY MUSE LONDON Printed by WILLIAM STANSBY 1625. TO MY EVER HONORED FRIEND M. IOHN MAYNARD one of the Gentlemen of his Maiesties Priuie Chamber in Ordinarie MY deare Vrania wilt thou now forsake My Cottage and to Court thy selfe betake Dost hope thou there as here shalt find retire I cannot but thy simplenesse admire But since thou needs wilt goe I 'le thee commend vnto the Muses most familiar Friend Who had not his great Princes Loue and Grace Him brought from Muses Groues to 's Royall place Might on his Front haue worne thy Crowne of Bays And beene the Prince of Poets in his dayes Hee 'le leaue all profit pleasure honour gaine The heav'nly Muse alone to entertaine Oh happy Court most blessed Courtiers yee That from the Muses Springs transplanted bee This 't is makes Arts and Learning so increase Hence followeth all our happinesse and Peace The Muses needs must dance when Courtiers sing All follow the example of the King Yours truly deuoted R. A. VRANIA ABout the Season Lawyers tongues doe rest And make for Ceres honour long vacation I freed from tumults which me erst opprest Dispose my mind to holy Meditation And thinking how I might a subiect find Delightfull pleasing sweet and profitable My heart to better and inrich my mind And tongue acquaint with Phrases delectable As Traueller that meets with diuers wayes I long deliberate to chuse the best And fairest Path to Mount where Lawrell Bayes The Numbers crowne that are diuinely drest One while I sought in measures Comicall To maske the Graces all vpon the Stage Or in a Tragique Scene vp Ghosts to call Of Worthys slaine by cruell Tyrants rage Anon I would the Vnion celebrate Which made a Damaske Rose of Red and White The fairest Flower of Brittons happy State Which Roses then now Kingdomes doth vnite I thought likewise to sing that happy Peace Our Iland-world enioyeth by this Vnion Which makes our honour riches strength increase And haue with Heav'nly Arts such free communion Then I th' admired Prudence would rehearse Of Brittons Scepter-swaying Solomon Matter which would immortalize a Verse And saue such Splendour from obliuion Prone was my flesh the winged wag to sing Of wanton Venus and her Bitter-sweet That glads the Tast but doth the Bowells wring For chaster eares a Subiect far vnmeet Whilst wauering thus in fruitlesse inquisition Yet vnresolv'd of any course I roue Behold I see an heav'nly Apparition Some Herauld doubtlesse from the Queene of Loue Her gesture and her grace Angelicall With wings whereby her selfe to heav'n shee reares Her countenance faire sweet celestiall Her voyce like Musicke of the heav'nly Spheares A glorious Garland crown'd her golden head Bedeck'd with all the Flowers sweet and gay That could on Tempes Plaines be gathered By learned Sisters in their fairest May. Immortall Flowers which spring and flourish ay And ay their verdure and sweet sent retaine Like heav'nly Arts which neuer doe decay But by their vsing greater glory gaine On shoulders hangs her azure mantle light With siluer spangles all adorned faire Twinkling like brightest Starres in frosty night As they are moued by the gentle aire Her nether parts to hide from vulgar eye A Kirtle like Heav'n Conopy did couer Where all the Signes of Heav'n embroidred fly And all the Graces seeme about to houer I saith shee am Vrania to thee sent From thine adored Mistresse Queene of Loue I rauish Soules aboue the Firmament That they in Numbers like the Spheres may moue With Siluer Key I doe vnlocke the mind Of Mortalls sealed vp in Ignorance That oft their Soules aboue the Stars they find When Bodyes lye on ground as in atrance For I the Spirit am of Contemplation Th' Ehxir of Ambrosia diuine Pure Angells food Soules sweetest delectation The Helicon where both the Sisters nine Art teacheth Art Experience Policy And Practice guild's the tongue with Eloquence But none reach lofty straines of Poesie That haue them not by heav'nly insluence Hence 't is that Clerks which gaine immortall praise By their deepe learned Eloquence in Prose Their numbers cannot to such honour raise As one that scarce the Rules of Grammer knows It is beyond the reach of will or wit A holy Flame of heav'nly Loues pure fire A soaring high transcendent furious fit Whose Life light heate and strength loue doth inspire Loue 's her Beginning and her End is Loue Loue is the Soule and Life of Poesie No Poeme without Loue did euer proue No more then Musicke without Harmony The Loue of Honour and of Cheualry So rais'd the old blind Greeks Heroique quill Hee lifts Achilles valiant acts more high Than his that conquer'd all the world at will The loue of Ciuill and Self-gouernment Him taught to frame such an exact Ulisses That hee who by this Patterne did inuent Roomes glorious author such perfection misses Eglogues of Loue are Muses first delights Till thorough country pleasures shee doth come To sing in state of Honour Armes and Knights And out of old Troys ashes raise vp Rome The wanton all whose speeches were in Verse Who sings in Fictions all Dame natures story In ev'ry sentence doth his Loue rehearse But ah base Lust obscureth all his glory So Loues old rigid Cato vertues lore He makes them dance the measures cunningly To loues Lucretius Dame natures store Hee turnes all Pliny into Poetry And as the obiect of our Loue exceeds So strikes the Muse on high or lower strings Who lowly late did maske in Shepheards weeds In high Heroiques of Armes and Honour sings My Darling Bartas who on Angells wings Beholds the Six Day 's of the Worlds Creation Was so in loue with Heav'n and heauenly things Hee wholly on them fixt his Contemplation And wen he on the Seuenth Day comes to rest He them all orders to his Makers Glory Doubtlesse he fram'd a new world in his brest Whereof he so Diuinely sings the story It was this heav'nly Loue that did incite The warlike Shepheard such sweet notes to sing His loue vnto Gods Statutes day and night Doe strike so loud his Harpe and Violls string And as Wind-Instrument to him repay's That sounds it sweetest musicke for his breath So