Preaching Without Fear Or Favour: Previously Unpublished Sermons on Hebrews 11 by Robert Bruce

Born into a noble Scottish family in the sixteenth century, Robert Bruce turned his back on earthly prestige and wealth to enter the ministry. He was Minister of Edinburgh for twelve years, preaching to the King and the court. These sermons on Hebrews 11 show a truly remarkable example of post–reformation preaching, heard in the Great Kirk of St Giles, in the heart of Scotland’s capital. David Searle has undertaken the huge task of putting these sermons into the English alphabet, translating them from the Braid Scots, so they can edify the church today.

About the Author :
Robert Bruce was born into a noble Scottish family in the 16th century. Turning his back on worldly wealth, he entered the ministry. He preached to many, including the King. David Searle was a former Director of Rutherford House, a theological research and study centre in Edinburgh. Prior to that he pastored two Churches of Scotland before moving to Bangor, County Down in Northern Ireland where he pastored Hamilton Road Presbyterian Church for eight years from 1985.

Review :
The ‘lessons’ Bruce brings out from the text, appear to be relevant, courageous and specific for his original hearers. Valuable, also, for earnest Christians, who are eager to learn of and live out the enduring principles of faith expounded in Bruce’s searching sermons. David Searle has done us a great service: making available a rich Biblical resource of potent evangelical conviction and powerful pastoral instruction which otherwise would have remained for ever illusive and inaccessible to the ordinary person. … allows the force of Bruce’s theology, whose training in rhetoric and scholastic organisation of material allows for a prose that is compelling as it is nourishing, to come right through. … a detailed Reformed treatment of a seminal biblical text brought to light. Bruce’s understanding of the struggles of the as yet imperfectly sanctified believer, always leaves us with hope, and greater zeal to follow the Lord more fully. Read this excellent work, and you will find it will build your faith, and draw you closer to Christ. Your reading and meditation will more than compensate David Searle for the immense effort he has put in to this translation. What kind of preaching is needed in the churches? Today, as at all times, it is surely preaching which is direct, clear, truthful and appropriately simple. All these qualities are present in the preaching of Robert Bruce whose sincerity and passion break down the walls of the centuries separating our day from his, impressing on us both the nature and glory of  faith.  Robert Bruce, therefore, was no abstract theologian. He knew the pastoral and missional context of his people and is not afraid to apply the Word of God to their real and felt needs. What is even more striking is how relevant his applications are to us in the 21st century. David Searle has performed a most valuable service in both transcribing and translating these materials, thus making them accessible to a contemporary audience. The publication of this work will do much to enhance our appreciation of Bruce as a distinguished preacher, scholar and spiritual leader of his time.  Bruce’s sermons are deeply theological, expounding among other themes the nature of faith and justification.  At the same time, they are direct and personal, with amazing pastoral insight, graphic illustration and pithy application.