shadow of earth's happiness more fleeting than that which the passing cloud casts yonder on the heath. And so eagerly does he run after the spectre, that neither the tears nor the execrations of thousands dying under his feet, nor the sword of eternal wrath which gleams over his head, can stop him in his frenzied pursuit. Sure there is something miserably wrong in the human heart. Surely the true eyes of the human understanding have been indeed put out. The shadow that falls from yonder mountain, and hides the vale in gloom, is itself brightness, compared with that cloud that broods on the human mind, and benights all its faculties. So dreadfully dim is mortal vision, that it cannot discern the glory of God himself, even when he comes to redeem, to forgive, and to save. O, when shall that star arise, which led the wise men of old to the manger of Bethlehem, and guide the way of every man to the feet of Jesus! who, although he created the heavens, and heard the harps of angels sing his glory divine, died, to make us wise unto salvation? Surely the time will come, for the Lord hath sworn it, yea, he hath sworn it, by himself, when the earth shall return to its allegiance, and be cured of its folly."

Here the holy man looked to his companion, whom he had forgotten in his contemplations; and casting his eye of faith far into days yet to come, and filled with the blessedness which the promises of God have pledged to the world, exclaimed, "Yes, my friend, we have the God that made all these worlds to support us. We have his promise, that truth shall ultimately prevail. Let us boldly do our duty, that we may be partakers of that joy unspeakable, which shall fill the hearts of the just, when all shall be complete in Christ, and when these stars shall melt away at his second coming."

When Mr. Bruce had withdrawn his mind from these contemplations, he parted from the peasant, and returned to the cave, by wife or child no longer made cheerful.

CHAPTER VIII.

AFTER the loss of his family, Mr. Bruce continued to instruct and comfort his scattered flock with more assiduity and zeal than ever. The sufferings he had endured had given a bolder and firmer tone to his character. The more he saw the devastations of cruelty and tyranny spreading around him, the warmer his heart glowed with the love of liberty, and the blessings which accompany it. The lovely flowers, which, that he might guard and cherish them, had hitherto rendered him more careful of himself, were now gathered into a place of safety. With nought to bind him to earth, but an ardent desire to instruct and counsel the presbyterians, so as they might best attain the glorious purposes they had in view, he now ventured forth boldly, and seized with eagerness every opportunity of strengthening and consoling them. Thus employed, for a considerable

time, he wandered from place to place, always visiting, as often as he durst, the people of his former charge.

But, in proportion as Mr. Bruce became more conspicuous among the persecuted party, the malignity of his enemies, and their exertions to cut him off, increased. And what they had so long and so eagerly sought was now drawing near.

One Sabbath evening, in the depth of winter, he met, according to a previous appointment, a few of his own flock, in a remote house, not very far from the place where he had so often concealed himself. There he preached a sermon; and, as if he had felt some presentiment that this sermon would be his last, he exhorted his hearers, towards the close of his discourse, with extraordinary warmth aud energy, to be faithful to the death, to live peaceably, to bear all with patience; assuring them that God would most certainly plead his own cause, and deliver his servants from oppression. He represented how much Christ had suffered for them, and with what meekness and resignation;-what blessings they would secure to posterity, and what rewards they would themselves receive, by bearing nobly up against the storm that beat on them so severely. On

ving the little audience, whose hearts had ned, whose eyes had wept, whose faith had reased, and whose purpose to bear all, for the ise in which they had engaged, had been more nly established, while listening to his discourse, said to them, in a cheerful manner,-"My ends, when we part in these times, we have ry little certainty of meeting again. But our st friend, Jesus Christ, goes with us all. He company enough. And should any thing hapn to any of us, when we have no one to give us sistance, he will take care of us.”

When he had thus said, he left the house, fearg that he had been already too long there, as it as not improbable that some notice of the meetg might have reached the persecutors. Both ecause it was the safest place, and because he eant to spend the remaining part of the Sabbath ight in private prayer and supplication to God in ehalf of the suffering people, he withdrew, unacompanied, to the cave, never suspecting that any of his enemies observed him. But there had been Judas among those who embraced him at parting.

One of those spies, whom we have had occasion to mention before, eager to gain the reward