David Dickson

David Dickson (1583-1663) was a Church of Scotland minister and theologian who was one of the leading figures in the Scottish Reformation. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1583, and studied at the University of Glasgow, where he was awarded an M.A. in 1601. After graduating, he was appointed Regent of Philosophy at the university.

In 1618, Dickson was ordained as minister of the parish of Irvine, Ayrshire. He was a strong opponent of the Five Articles of Perth, which were imposed on the Scottish church by King Charles I. In 1622, he was deprived of his ministry for refusing to subscribe to the articles.

Dickson spent the next few years in exile, living in Turriff, Aberdeenshire. In 1638, he returned to Scotland and was involved in the movement to restore Presbyterian government to the church. He was a member of the Glasgow Assembly of 1638, and in 1639 he acted as chaplain to an Ayrshire regiment commanded by the Earl of Loudoun.

In 1640, Dickson was appointed the first Professor of Divinity at Glasgow University. He was also elected Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland. In 1650, he moved to Edinburgh, where he became Professor of Divinity at Edinburgh University. He was also appointed to St Giles Cathedral (second charge) by the Town Council.

Dickson was a prolific writer, and his works include:

• Therapeutica Sacra (1651), a manual of spiritual counsel
• Treatise on the Law and the Gospel (1660)
• Commentary on the Book of Revelation (1663)

Dickson was a firm believer in the sovereignty of God and the authority of Scripture. He was also a strong advocate for the Reformed faith. His writings were influential in shaping the development of Scottish Presbyterianism.

Dickson died in Edinburgh in 1663. He is remembered as one of the leading figures in the Scottish Reformation and as a significant theologian.

Interesting facts about David Dickson:

He was the son of a wealthy merchant. He was a gifted student and graduated from the University of Glasgow at the age of 18. He was a strong opponent of the Five Articles of Perth, which he believed were an infringement on the rights of the church. He was a prolific writer and his works were influential in shaping the development of Scottish Presbyterianism. He was a close friend of Samuel Rutherford and Andrew Melville. He died in Edinburgh in 1663 at the age of 80.