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author ' s own hand-writing , which is in the possession of one of his descendants . " The late pious and learned Dr . John Campbell , of Edinburgh , took the principal charge of this publication , which having been one of the last of his earthly cares , and having been completed on the day of his funeral , has thus acquired a melancholy interest , which cannot Ml to recommend it to the surviving friends of that judicious divine , who , during the decline of his strength , continued as earnestly devoted as ever to the promotion of those saered studies in which he had Jong attained distinguished eminence . "
James Wodrow , the subject of this memoir , and fourth son of Robert Wodrow , of the Hill of Eglishame , was born Jan . 2 , 1637 * He received his academical education in the University of Glasgow , where he proceeded M . A ., in 1659 . Here he applied himself to the study of Divinity . Ax this period , a dark cloud hoverea over the Scottish church . The Presbyterian discipline-and the creed of Calvin , in an attachment to which this young roan had been strictly educated , were in imminent hazard of being laid aside for episcopal government , the English liturgy , and Arminian tenets .
Days of the sword , both military and civil , were approaching ; night , confiscation , imprisonment , war , and capital executions . Together with the deepest impressions of religion , James Wodrow seems to have united more than an usual share of diffidence : nor is it unlikely that the aspect of the times increased his tendency to low and desponding spirits * Not that either his situation or his temperament made him inactive as a teacher of Christianity . He preached frequently , even before the liberty of 1687 , and was in habits of intercourse with some of the most venerable of the fathers of
his church . His opening talents and virtues were known to Rogers , Baillie , Gordon , &c . ; and he visited Guthrie * and Cargill , f in prison , on the eve of their sealing their testimony in behalf of religious and civil freedom with their blood . But the long and troubled interval between 1661 and 1687 was chiefly useful to him , as it supplied an opportunity , of which he well availed himself , of augmenting his treasures of theological and scriptural learning . !
On the indulgence , § Mr . Wodrow went immediately into Glasgow , and often preached there and in the neighbourhood . The Synod which met in this city , in September , 1687 , recommended to him the charge of . youth who had the Christian ministry in view . They further urged the "united Presbytery of Glasgow to employ their interest with him to enter on this office without delay . Accordingly , he and his family removed thither in January 1688 . By means of his influence , and partly as the result of the
maltreatmerit of his son [ Robert } in the public grammar-schpol , the private teaching of Latin and Philosoph y was set up in Glasgow . He was soon called to be one of the ministers of the city ; the invitation coining from ministers , elders , and others , and " not £ earin £ , " says the biographer , " the attestation ' of the Presbytery" —a practice which seems to ha , ve been introduced since the Revolution . Soon afterwards , he suffered two heavy afflictions , in tjhe loss first of his wife , II and then of a very intimate ana beloved friend . ^
* Laing's Hist , of Scotland ( 1800 ) , Vol . 11 . j > p . 16 , 17 . t Burnet ' s Hi * t . of his own Time ( 1753 ) , Vol . II . 324 . X For some time he was private tutor to the young Lord Blantyre , at Cardouald , near Paisley . t 1687 . ( i Margaret , mother of Mr . Robert Wodrow . J The Rev . Mr . Rogers .
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Life of Professor Wodrow . 4 ttl
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VOL . III . 2 F
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), June 2, 1829, page 401, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2573/page/33/
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