ifted up
his eyes to heaven, which St. Andrews called a proud look. So after some
more reasoning betwixt him and the bishops, St. Andrews pronounced the
sentence in these words, "We deprive you of your ministry at Irvine, and
ordain you to enter in Turref in the north in twenty days." "The will of
the Lord be done, said Mr. David, though ye cast me off, the Lord will
take me up. Send me whither ye will, I hope my Master will go with me,
and as he has been with me heretofore, he will be with me still, as with
his own weak servant."

Mr. Dickson continued preaching till the twenty days were expired, and
then began his journey. But the earl of Eglinton prevailed with the
bishop of Glasgow, that he might come to Eglinton, and preach there. But
the people, from all quarters, resorting to his sermons in Eglinton's
hall and court-yard, he enjoyed that liberty but two months; for the
bishop sent him another charge, and he went to the place of his
confinement.

While in Turref, he was daily employed to preach, by Mr. Thomas Mitchel
minister there. But he found far greater difficulty both in studying and
preaching there, than formerly. Some time after, his friends prevailed
with the bishop of Glasgow to repone him, upon condition he would take
back his declinature, and for that purpose, wrote to Mr. Dickson to come
to Glasgow. He came as desired, and though many wise and gracious
persons urged him to yield, yet he could not be persuaded; yea, at last
it was granted to him, That if he, or any friend he pleased, would go to
the bishop's castle, and either lift the paper, or suffer his friend to
take it off the hall-table, without seeing the bishop at all, he might
return to Irvine----But he found that to be but a juggling in such a
weighty matter, in point of public testimony, and resolved to meddle no
farther in this matter, but to return to his confinement. Accordingly he
began his journey, and was scarce a mile out of town, till his soul was
filled with such joy and approbation from God, that he seldom had the
like.

But some time after, by the continual intercession of the earl of
Eglinton and the town of Irvine with the bishop, the earl got a licence
to send for him, and a promise, that he should stay till the king
challenged him. Thus he returned, without any condition on his part, to
his flock, about the end of July 1623.

While at Irvine, Mr. Dickson's ministry was singularly countenanced of
God, and multitudes were co