David Dickson

David Dickson or Dick (c.1583 – 1663) was a Church of Scotland minister and theologian. David Dickson of Busby was born in Glasgow in 1583. He was the son of John Dickson, a wealthy merchant of the Trongate. He was at first intended for the mercantile profession, but afterwards studied for the Church. After becoming M.A. of Glasgow, he was appointed Regent of Philosophy in the University, and on 31 March 1618. He was ordained minister of Irvine, and is often called by the name of the town. He declared against the Perth Articles, and was summoned before the Court of High Commission. Declining its authority, he was deprived. In 1622 he was allowed to return to his parish.In the discharge of his official duty he was unwearied and indefatigable, and was universally esteemed by his parishioners. During the visitation of religious zeal in 1630, known as "the Stewarton Sickness," his prudence was notable, and the interests of practical religion were maintained. For employing in 1637 two of his countrymen, who were under the ban of Episcopal authority in Ireland, he was again called before the High Commission. As its authority, however, was then on the decline, he was no further troubled. In the same year an attempt was made to enforce the Service-Book, which he and his Presbytery moderately but firmly opposed.In 1637, having given shelter to Robert Blair and John Livingston, driven from their charges in Ireland by the interference of the bishops there, he was again cited before the High Commission Court.He took an active part in the Glasgow Assembly of 1638, and in 1639 acted as chaplain to an Ayrshire regiment commanded by the Earl of Loudoun. He was Moderator of Assembly in 1640, and appointed to the Professorship of Divinity in Glasgow University. In 1650 he was transferred to the Chair of Divinity at Edinburgh. He was appointed to this charge by the Town Council 12 April 1650, and admitted shortly after. Dickson was for a second time Moderator of Assembly 21 July 1652.