Page:A biographical dictionary of eminent Scotsmen, vol 8.djvu/43

Rh in divinity," says the historian, but then I find it remarked by a very good hand, his lascivious poems, compared with which the most luscious parts of Ovid de Arte Amandi are modest, gave scandal to all the world." It is not unlikely that Dr Wishart had contracted some rather loose habits among the cavaliers with whom he associated abroad; for both Burnet and Kirkton bear testimony to the licentious manners by which the royalists were too often characterised, more especially during the reckless administration of the earl of Middleton.

 , an eminent divine and theological writer, was born, February 5, 1722, in the parish of Yester. His father, who was minister of that parish, as a man of singular worth, and of much more than ordinary abilities. Young Witherspoon received the earlier part of his education at the public school of Haddington, where he distinguished himself by his diligence, and by the rapid proficiency he made in classical attainments. He was, also, even at this early period of his life, remarkable for that soundness of judgment, and readiness of conception, which aided so much in procuring him the favour he afterwards enjoyed. On completing the usual initiatory learning observed at the school of Haddington, he was removed to the university of Edinburgh, where he continued to attend the various classes necessary to qualify him for the sacred profession for which he was intended, until he had attained his twenty-first year, when he was licensed to preach the gospel. He was soon after this invited to become assistant and successor to his father; but held this appointment for a very short time only, having received a presentation, in 1744, from the earl of Eglinton, to the parish of Beith, of which he was ordained minister, with the unanimous consent of the people, in the following year.

An incident in the life of Mr Witherspoon, too curious to be passed over, occurred soon after this. On learning that a battle was likely to take place at Falkirk, between the Highlanders and royal troops, during the rebellion of 1745-6, the minister of Beith hastened to the anticipated scene of conflict, to witness the combat. This he saw; but in a general sweep which the victorious rebels made around the skirts of the field after the battle, Mr Witherspoon, with several others, whom a similar curiosity had brought to the neighbourhood of the field, was made a prisoner, and thrown into the castle of Doune, where he was confined, until he effected his escape, which he did with considerable difficulty, and not without great peril.

Mr Witherspoon first assumed the character of an author in 1753, by bringing out an anonymous publication, entitled "Ecclesiastical Characteristics, or the Arcana of Church Policy." This work, which discovers a rich vein of delicate satire, was directed against certain flaws in the principles and practice of some of the ministers of the church of Scotland of the period. It excited a great sensation, and became so popular as to reach a fifth edition, in less than ten years after its publication. This successful debut was followed soon after by another able performance, entitled a "Serious Apology" for the Characteristics, in which Dr Witherspoon acknowledged the authorship of the latter. Three years afterwards, in 1756, he published, at Glasgow, his admirable essay on the "Connexion between the Doctrine of Justification by the imputed righteousness of Christ, and holiness of life."

The diligence, industry, and regular habits of Dr Witherspoon, enabled him to reconcile the character of a prolific author, with that of an attentive and faithful pastor; and while discharging the duties of the latter with an exemplary fidelity, he continued to instruct and enlighten the public mind by his literary labours. His industry enabled him to give to the world, in the year