ch 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.

The Presbyterian Church made great progress under the Covenant of 1581
and overspread the kingdom. After ten years of prosperity came another
declension. Again she was reclaimed and revived by the renewing of the
Covenant of 1596. Once more she became exceedingly prosperous and
popular; but her popularity resulted in weakness. Multitudes "joined the
Church" merely for place, privilege, and power. These soon made
themselves felt on the wrong side: they controlled the courts of God's
House. Faithful ministers contended for the truth, resisted the
innovations, protested in the name of Jesus, and suffered because they
would not consent to do evil. They were overpowered and sometimes were
displaced, sometimes imprisoned, sometimes banished. Their farewell
sermons were heart-rending. Amid the sobs and wails of the affectionat