ABERDEEN, _March 13, 1637_.
[234] This seems to mean mould, or fashion, yourself and them.
CXLVI.--_To MR. JAMES BRUCE, Minister of the Gospel_.
[MR. JAMES BRUCE was minister of Kingsbarns, in the Presbytery of
St Andrews; admitted in 1630. Prelacy and the English ceremonies
had then, for a considerable time, been imposed upon the Church
of Scotland. But Bruce, like many other of her ministers, being
in principle decidedly favourable to Presbytery, refused to
conform. He was, however, permitted to continue in his charge,
the Bishops at that time removing very few, because the
introduced ceremonies were so unpopular, that it was judged
dangerous and impolitic to enforce a rigid and universal
compliance with them. Bruce made an early public appearance
against the attempts of the Court to impose the Anglo-Popish
liturgy, or Service Book, in 1637. He was a member of the Glasgow
Assembly, 1638. He died at Kingsbarns, May 26, 1662, when the
storm of persecution was about to break upon the Church of
Scotland, being thus taken away from the evil to come.]
(_MISJUDGING OF CHRIST'S WAYS._)
REVEREND AND WELL-BELOVED BROTHER,--Grace, mercy, and peace be to
you.--Upon the nearest acquaintance (that we are Father's children), I
thought good to write to you. My case, in my bonds for the honour of
my royal Prince and King, Jesus, is as good as becometh the witness of
such a sovereign King. At my first coming hither, I was in great
heaviness, wrestling with challenges; being burdened in heart (as I am
yet), for my silent Sabbaths, and for a bereaved people, young ones
new-born, plucked from the breast, and the children's table drawn. I
thought I was a dry tree cast over the dyke of the vineyard. But my
secret conceptions of Christ's love, at His sweet and long-desired
return to my soul, were found to be a lie of Christ's love, forged by
the tempter and my own heart. And I am persuaded it was so. Now there
is greater peace and security within than before; the court is raised
and dismissed, for it was not fenced in God's name. I was far mistaken
who should have summoned Christ for unkindness; misted faith, and my
fever, conceived amiss of Him. Now, now, He is pleased to feast a
poor prisoner, and to refresh me with joy unspeakable and glorious! so
as the Holy Spirit is witness that my sufferings are for Christ's
truth; and God forbid that I should deny the testimony of the Holy
Spirit and make Him a false witness. Now, I testify under my hand, out
of some small experience, that Christ's cause, even with the cross, is
better than the king's crown; and that His reproaches are sweet, His
cross perfumed, the walls of my prison fair and large, my losses gain.
I desire you, my dear brother, to help me to praise, and to remember
me in your prayer to God. Grace, grace be with you.
Yours, in our Lord Jesus,