ctice of it. But the Irish bishops, at the
instigation of the Scots bishops, got them removed, for a season. After
they were silenced, and had come over to Scotland, about the year 1637,
Mr. Dickson employed Messrs. Blair, Livingston and Cunningham at his
communion, for which he was called before the high commission; but, the
prelates' power being on the decline, he soon got rid of that trouble.

Several other instances might be given concerning Mr. Dickson, both as
to his usefulness in answering perplexing cases of conscience, and to
students who had their eye to the ministry. While he was at Irvine, his
prudent directions, cautions and encouragements given them were
extremely useful and beneficial, as also some examples might be given of
his usefulness to his very enemies; but there is little room here to
insist on these things.

It was Mr. Dickson who brought over the presbytery of Irvine to
supplicate the council in 1637, for a suspension of the service-book. At
this time four supplications, from different quarters, met at the
council-house-door, to their mutual surprize and encouragement; which
were the small beginnings of that happy turn of affairs, that next year
ensued: In which great revolution Mr. Dickson had no small share. He was
sent to Aberdeen, with Messrs Henderson and Cant, by the covenanters, to
persuade that town and country to join in renewing the covenant; this
brought him to bear a great part in the debates with the learned doctors
Forbes, Barrow, Sibbald, &c. at Aberdeen; which, being in print, needs
no further notice at present.

And when the king was prevailed with to allow a free general assembly at
Glasgow, Nov. 1638, Mr. Dickson and Mr. Bailey, from the presbytery,
made no small figure there in all the important matters before that
grave assembly. Here Mr. Dickson signalized himself in a most seasonable
and prudent speech he had, when his majesty's commissioner threatened to
leave the assembly; as also in the 11th session Dec. 5th, he had another
most learned discourse against Arminianism[122].

By this time the Lord's eminent countenancing of Mr. Dickson's ministry
at Irvine, not only spread abroad, but his eminent prudence, learning,
and holy zeal came to be universally known, especially to ministers,
from the part he bore in the assembly of Glasgow, so that he was almost
unanimously chosen moderator to the next general assembly at Edinburgh
in Aug. 1639, in the 10th session whereof the