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.'

We

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. 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 Bruce had withdrawn his mind from these contemplations, he parted from the peasant, and returned to the cave, by wife or child no longer made cheerful.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 and 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 leaving the little audience, whose hearts had burned, whose eyes had wept, whose faith had increased, and whose purpose to bear all, for the cause in which they had engaged, had been more firmly established, while listening to his discourse, he said to them, in a cheerful manner,- My friends, when we part in these times, we have very little certainty of meeting again. But our best friend, Jesus Christ, goes with us all. He is company enough. And should anything happen to any of us, when we have no one to give us assistance, he will take care of us.'

When he had thus said, he left the house,

fearing that he had been already too long there, as it was not improbable that some notice of the meeting might have reached the persecutors. Both because it was the safest place, and because he meant to spend the remaining part of the Sabbath night in private prayer and supplication to God in behalf of the suffering people, he withdrew, unaccompanied to the cave, never suspecting that any of his enemies observed him. But there had been a 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 offered to any one who should bring information which might lead to the apprehension of Mr. Bruce, took the following method to compass his design.

With the consent and privacy of Macduff, he entirely forsook his house, lived among the peasants, and, as he was one who had formerly sworn the covenant, he manifested the deepest contrition for the aid he had given to those who sought the ruin of the covenanters. He gave proof of the greatest zeal in everything which had for its end their safety; revealed to them many schemes which were contrived for their destruction; and showed always the most sensible alarm lest he should fall into the hands of those he had last deserted. By these artifices, he gained the confidence of those with whom he now associated; and had continued with them more than a month, supporting always the same character, before Mr. Bruce happened to visit his people. The night of which we have spoken was the first time he had ever got into 6

his presence. Mr. Bruce noticed him: but, both from the manner in which he behaved during the meeting, and from the account he had received of him, he entertained no suspicion of his real designs. This man, if he deserve the name, dogged Mr. Bruce, through the darkness of night, to the cave; and, as soon as he saw him enter, sped to the village, to give information.

It was midnight when he reached the curate's house. And although this monster would not have risen from his bed at that hour to save a soul from death, he instantly got up, and, with the malignant satisfaction of an evil spirit, when it hath compassed some infernal aim, hastened to inform the few soldiers who were in the village. No time was lost. It was at first resolved to bring Mr. Bruce to the village, and send him thence, to be executed in Edinburgh. But, as the appearance of a Dutch fleet on the north coast of Scotland had, at that time, occasioned the withdrawing of most of the troops from the West, they were afraid that the handful they could collect, would not be sufficient to repel the peasants, whose ardent attachment to Mr. Bruce, they had every reason to suspect, would excite them to attempt a rescue. Urged by this reason, and determined, at any rate, to make sure of Mr. Bruce's death, Macduff said to the commanding-officer, Go, and shoot the rebel wherever you find him. The king will reward you for it.'

The soldiers, about ten in number, set out from the village, conducted by the spy, and led by an officer well fitted to execute a bloody com