Bruce’s strength lay in his familiarity with Jesus Christ.  His preaching was with power, because Christ was with him.  On one occasion, being late for the service, a certain person reported, saying, “I think he will not come to-day, for I overheard him in his room say to another, ’I protest I will not go unless thou goest with me.’” He was talking with Jesus about going to preach.  In his prayers he was brief, but “every word was as a bolt shot to heaven;” and in preaching he was slow and solemn, but “every sentence was as a bolt shot from heaven.”  He, having finished his work, entered into glory, saying pleasantly to his children, as the dying hour drew near, “I have breakfasted with you this morning, and I shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this night.”  That night he entered the heavenly city.

They who are truly alive to the holiness, justice, and goodness of God, and dwell in the radiance of His blessed face, will get views of the Church and her mission, that will inspire to greatest service and noblest sacrifices for Christ and His cause.  They will arise far above ordinary life, in effort, enthusiasm, power, and stability in the Lord’s work.

* * * * *

Points for the class.

1.  Why did the king insist on having bishops in the Church?

2.  How did the Presbyterian ministers oppose them?

3.  In what way did the king authorize that which corrupted Church services?

4.  What device for public worship was ratified by parliament?

5.  What significant providence accompanied this daring act?

6.  What champion of freedom arose at this time?

7.  Wherein lay Bruce’s great strength?

8.  How may we, too, become inspired for service?

X.

Approaching A crisis—­A.D. 1622.

The Church confronts greatest temptations and dangers when at peace with the world.  A period of outward prosperity is almost certain to result in moral deterioration and produce membership of inferior mould.  The appointments of God in divine worship being few, simple, and spiritual, are likely to be displaced by the showy, deceptive, sensuous inventions of man when the Church is honored with success.  The Holy Spirit then withdraws in measure; frigid formality quickly follows; the services, however beautiful, become artificial and spiritless.

God has good reason for sending upon His Church periodical trials, hardships, persecutions—­storms that winnow the wheat, fires that melt the gold.  Such tests of faith purify the Church, run off the dross, throw out the counterfeits, break off the dead branches.  The people of God are then distinguished; their heroic qualities are called into action; they become burning and shining lights in the surrounding darkness.  This severe process may reduce the enrollment, yet it mightily strengthens the ranks.  The Lord Jesus would rather have one of ten if true, than all the ten yea, ten times ten if untrue.  Christ Jesus prefers 300 who can wield the sword of the Lord and of Gideon, to 30,000 who are indifferent or faint-hearted.