Archibald Bruce (1746–1816), was a Scottish theological writer.

Life

Bruce was born at Broomhall, Stirlingshire, and, after studying at the

University of Glasgow The University of Glasgow (abbreviated as ''Glas.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals; ) is a Public university, public research university in Glasgow, Scotland. Founded by papal bull in , it is the List of oldest universities in continuous ...

, was ordained, in 1768, minister of the Associate ( Anti-Burgher) congregation of Whitburn. In 1786 he was appointed professor of divinity by the General Associate Synod, and continued to hold that office till 1806. Being dissatisfied with the action of his synod, he left it and formed, along with Thomas M'Crie the Elder and two others, the 'Auld Licht' Anti-Burgher ' Constitutional Associate Presbytery'. This led to a sentence of deposition being passed on him by the former body. He died 28 February 1816.

Writings

Bruce's major writings were: * ''The Kirkiad, or the Golden Age of the Church of Scotland'', a

satirical Satire is a genre of the visual arts, visual, literature, literary, and performing arts, usually in the form of fiction and less frequently Nonfiction, non-fiction, in which vices, follies, abuses, and shortcomings are held up to ridicule, ...

poem, 1774. * ''Free Thoughts on the Toleration of Popery'', 1780. * ''Annus Secularis'', the centenary of the revolution 1788, a long dissertation on religious festivals. * ''Queries'', on the commemoration of the revolution, 1797. * ''The Catechism modernized'', 1791, a cutting satire on lay patronage, and its effects, in the form of a parody on the

Westminster Assembly The Westminster Assembly of Divines was a council of Divinity (academic discipline), divines (theologians) and members of the English Parliament appointed from 1643 to 1653 to restructure the Church of England. Several Scots also attended, and ...

's Shorter Catechism. * ''Reflexions on the Freedom of Writing'', 1794, à propos of a proclamation against seditious publications, bearing the motto "What Britons dare to think, he dares to tell". * A poem ridiculing the pretensions of the pope, 1797. * ''Lectures to Students'', 1797. * ''Life'' of

James Hog of Carnock James Hog (1658?–14 May 1734) was a Scottish Presbyterian minister at Carnock, known for his role in the Marrow Controversy within the Church of Scotland. Life He was the son of Thomas Hog, minister of Larbert, Stirlingshire (d. 1680?). After ...

, 1798. * ''Dissertation on the Supremacy of the Civil Power in Matters of Religion'', 1798. * ''Poems, serious and amusing, by a reverend divine'', 1812. * ''Life of Alex. Morus, a celebrated divine in Geneva and Holland'', 1813. * ''A Treatise on Earthquakes'' (posthumous).

References

;Citations ;Sources * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Bruce, Archibald 1746 births 1816 deaths Scottish Christian theologians Scottish educators 18th-century Scottish poets 19th-century Scottish poets 18th-century Scottish Christian theologians 19th-century Scottish theologians People from Stirling Alumni of the University of Glasgow Ministers of Secession Churches in Scotland