Which sever'd into mangled parts, were stak'd
In cursed triumph round the speechless field.

MRS. CLAYPOLE.

Sever'd, didst thou say-oh woes my heart!
Butcher'd, and sever'd! O thou potent Heaven :—
Burst my sad bosom-Pagan wrath supreme;
The skies permissive; and the good undone !
My dismal soul foreboded something wild;
Alas! alas! he was too kind to live.

Be still, my meddling heart, and know that God
No reckoning tenders of his ways to man,
But his steps keep the palpable obscure.
Yet will I ever mourn the kind, the good;
Matrons of England, join the plaintive strain.
O dark and perverse fate! but yet high Heaven
Doth reign; and let the crouching earth be mute.

END OF BOOK FIRST.

H'

ARGUMENT OF BOOK SECOND.

The female patriot-Her anxiety to know the religious state and safety of our ancestors in the dark ages-Favourable report of this Advance of Popery over Great Britain in the seventh and eighth centuries-The basis of Popery and Priestcraft stated, applicable to all sects-First Bishops of Rome unexceptionable--Allusion to Cyprian, Augustine and the pristine hermits-Image worship introduced-The Scriptures suppressed-Remarks-Transubstantiation admitted-Good works-Indulgences-ResultsThe practicability of Man's discovering and preserving a knowledge of the Divine character in his own strength-Fatal effects of this attempt-The Inquisition-General account of the Church of Rome-Vital godliness nevertheless prevalent in Great Britain for a long period after Oswald's reign-The Culdees-Description of their mode of performing the sacred function-Persecution of them by the Papacy-Their final suppression anno 1250.Mrs. Claypole's reflection on this Narrative-Eulogy on Holy Writ-Dreadful case of the want of it-Sketch of gospel truthOriginal sin-Prophecies of the Messiah as the remedy-Abra. ham's prescience of Christ-Sacrifices what?-David's prophecies of Messiah-Isaiah-Zachariah-Elijah-The Baptist-Advent of the Saviour-Cromwell's panegyric on these themes-Some Papists nevertheless good Christians-Eulogy on Cardinal Borromeo of Milan-Dawn of the Reformation-Wickliffe, translation of the Bible-Reform generally predicted by the destruction of the more conscientious or ventrous-History of Sir John Oldcastle, Baron Cobham-Portrait of him, King Henry V., and Archbishop Arundel-Their different views-Account of Lord

Cobham's desmesnes-His early life, and share in the French wars-His christian labours in time of peace-Connection with Wickliffe-Cobham sends missions to teach christianity among his peasants-Account of his labours of love-Its happy effects on his retainers-A sketch of their manners-schemes of the Priesthood to ruin him-they succeed with King Henry-Cobham's interview with the King-Their mutual expostulations-Various topics of true and false religion introduced in their dialogue— Cobham committed to the Tower-Escapes to Wales-Dismal situation there-Taken captive-Trial-His noble behaviour➡ Description of his martyrdom-Triumph of Popery, and dark state of the Empire.

BOOK SECOND.

CROMWELL.

'Tis an auspicious token of the age,
And argues gainful merchandize of mind,
And reciprocity of fruitful thought
Within a ripen'd State; when modest woman,
In bashful cast, smit with beseeming fears,
Lest she break up an interdicted hoard,
Doth push her fond solicitude beyond
Domestic exigency; and in guise

Of unobtrusive, but unfeign'd concern,
Revolve the springs of welfare in the realm,
Exulting in the prosperous acclaim,

And brimming o'erflow of a nation's joy:

Nor shrinking from the staid and stern lament

Of men that rue dishonour and defeat.

Such mental use adorns her, whose fair lot

It is to fence the blossoms of the State.