me about him, "Now, who could persuade me that this
dispensation of God's providence was good for me, if the Lord had not
said it was so," He was afterward married to Margaret Muir relict of Mr.
Zechariah Boyd, minister of the Barony of Glasgow.

In the year 1650, Mr. Dickson professor of divinity in the college of
Glasgow, being called to be professor of divinity in the university of
Edinburgh, the commissioners of the general assembly authorized for
visiting the university of Glasgow, unanimously designed and called Mr.
Durham to succeed Mr. Dickson as professor there. But before he was
admitted to that charge, the general assembly of this church, being
persuaded of his eminent piety and stedfastness, prudence and
moderation, &c. did, after mature deliberation, that same year, pitch
upon him, though then but about twenty-eight years of age, as among the
ablest and best accomplished ministers then in the church, to attend the
king's family as chaplain. In which station, tho' the times were most
difficult, as abounding with snares and temptations, he did so wisely
and faithfully acquit himself, that there was a conviction left upon the
consciences of all who observed him. Yea, during his stay at court, and,
whenever he went about the duty of his place, they did all carry
gravely, and did forbear all lightness and profanity, none allowing
themselves to do any thing offensive before him. So that while he served
the Lord in the holy ministry, and particularly in that post and
character of the king's chaplain, his ambition was to have God's favour,
rather than the favour of great men, and studied more to profit and
edify their souls, than to tickle their fancy, as some court-parasites
in their sermons do: One instance whereof was, that being called to
preach before the parliament, where many rulers were present, he
preached from John iii. 10. _Art thou a master in Israel, and knowest
not these things?_ when he mostly insisted that it was a most
unaccountable thing for rulers and nobles in Israel, &c. to be
ignorant of the great and necessary things of regeneration, and being
born again of the Spirit; and did most seriously press all, from the
king to the beggar, to seek and know experimentally these things. A good
pattern for all ministers who are called to preach on the like occasion.
He continued with the king till he went to England, and then returned.

Towards the end of January 1651, the common session of Glasgow,
app