The Lives of Sundry Eminent Persons, Part 1 · Biography 2
The Life and Death of Mr. Robert Boyd, who died, An. Chr. 1627.
RObert Boid of Trochreg, was descended of Robert Boid, Earl of Arran, and sometimes His Parentage.Protector of Scotland, from whom in the fifth remove descended James Boid, Baron of Trochreg and Barniel, the Father of our Robert. He was born Anno Dom. 1578. and by his Father carefully educated in learning, and having profited in the His Education.study of the liberal Arts, he commenced Master of Arts in the University of Edinburgh; where also he was a diligent hearer of Robert Rollock, a famous Preacher in those daies.
Anno Christi 1604. or thereabouts, he travell'd into France, and came to Poictiers, where he staid but a while, because he had not the convenience there of frequenting religious exercises, to which he was much addicted: and going from thence, he went to Thoarse, where Dr. Rivet had been Minister for about 10 years; who most willingly entertain'd this learned young Man, especially when he understood that he was willing to undertake the instructing of certain noble Youths in a School lately founded in that place by him at the charge of the noble Duke Trumelian. This placc he discharged for a year and half with great profit, His imployment in France.and happy success; living all that while in great familiarity with Rivet, approving himself exquisite in learning unblameable in his Conversation, eminent in Piety, and of singular modesty. He was so diligent and industrious in his studies, that he spent whole nights Industry.and daies, so far as bis School would give him leave, in reading and writing, and borrowing divers Books of Dr. Rivet, especially Greek Authors both in Prose and Verse, he made Proficiency.so good use of the same, gathering out of them whatsoever was worthy observation, that he throughly digested them, and became Master of them, whereby both Latine and Greek grew as familiar to him as his Mother Tongue; He was also no noviee in Hebrew, and in that short space he grew so exact in the French Tongue, that after a few years he might be reckon'd among the most eloquent, whether you respect the elegancies of that Language, or the pronunciation of it (a faculty, which few of his Countrymen use to attain unto) as many could witness, who a while after heard him Preach eloquently in the same.
From Thoarse he went to Bourdeaux, where Gilbert Primrose, his Countryman, was Pastor of the Reformed Church; a man deservedly famous; by whose means he lived there a year with a certain Nobleman, who desired to make use of his labours.
About this time the University of Mountauban wanting a Professor of Philosophy, sent for At Mountauban.him thither; where, according to the custom of the Academy, he taught and exercised his Scholars four hours every day, running over the whole body of Philosophy, whereby many of the Students took their degree with good approbation. While he was thus busily employed in the Schools, all the rest of his spare time he spent in other Studies. He slept little, Industry.spending a great part of the night in the study of Divinity, which he propounded as his chiefest mark: for he alwaies purposed, if God should give him an opportunity to be a Pastor of a Church, and a Professor of an University. But when certain Students, his hearers, return'd from Montauban into Xantoin, and Angouleme, and there, to his great commendation, divulged how eloquently he spake the French Tongue, affirming further, that he carried himself gravely and modestly, was of a most exemplary conversation, and that he had declared that he would embrace a call to the Ministry in the French Church, the Church of Verthole in Angouleme, having first advised with the Provincial Synod, cast their Eyes upon him, and sending delegates to Mountauban, they agreed with him that he should enter into the sacred Ministry, and undertake to be their Pastor: which he assented to, upon condition, that if he should have a call to any University, where he might exercise the Office both of a Pastor and Professor, that Church should be willing to part with him. And thus after due examination and ttial he was ordained by the Synod, and setled in that Church.
From thence he wrote often to Dr. Rivet, giving him an account of his Studies, who desired a visit from him; being but a day or two journies off. Dr. Rivet also informed the illustrious Lord Du Plessis of his parts, and excellent indowments, at what time a Professors place was void, William Crag, a learned Scothman. who had long been a Professor of Philosophy there, being now made a Professor of Divinity. When gone, Boíd came to him to Thoarse, Dr. Rivet sent him with his letters of recommendation to Samur to the Lord Du Plessis, who having conferred with him in private, and heard him Preach in publick, communicating counsels with the Synod, he brought it about that Delegates were sent to his Church at Verthole, requesting that for the good of the University, and by the approbation of the Provincial Synod, they'd give way to his dismission; for which end also they wrote Letters to the Synod. This request was very grievous to his Church, which highly prized him; yet looking at the benefit of the University, though very unwillingly, they at last dismissed him, with ample testimonies, both from the Synod and themselves.
When he was come to Samur, he was admitted amongst the ordinary Pastors of the At Samur a Pastor, and Professor.Church, and besides, performed publick Lectures, and extraordinary Disputations in the University for some months, till a Synod of the Churches of Anjou, Coenoman and Tours, met together; whom the National Synod had appointed to provide fit Professors of Divinity in that University, and that they should carefully examine them, afore they admitted them. This was performed in Sept. An. 1608. at which time the Pastors of that Province met together, to whom also were adjoined some Pastors of the neighbouring Provinces, among whom Dr. Rivet was one. There divers Theological points about the Church, and Church-matters, were propounded to be disputed on, and Robert Boid, who was to undergo his Trial, was appointed to answer before the assembly of Pastors and Elders: which place he so discharged, that by the unanimous consent of all, he was judged worthy of that Chair; which for the space of 6 years after, viz. till the year 1614. he supplied with the great applause of all, and to the great profit of the Students, with unwearied labour, and incredible industry and diligence. So that by his excessive watchings, he contracted a weakness of stomack: yet would he not (though intreated) favour himself, nor be prevail'd with to His weakness.forbear his ordinary Lectures, though he had time most freely allowed him for the recovery of his health.
He alwaies observed this Rule, To fetch his Divinity from the fountains of the sacred Scriptures: for which end he made choice of the Epistle of Paul to the Ephesians, to expound it in his publick Lectures, because he saw that the Apostle had in this Epistle with admirable succinctness comprized all the chief Heads of the Christian Religion, relating both to Faith and Manners, and omitted nothing that was necessary.
In all his Disputations, which were many, he was solid and acute, and withal so clear, that he left no scruples remaining in the minds of his hearers.
Anno Christi. 1611. When that famous Assembly was held at Samur, in which appeared almost all the Protestant Nobility, and two Pastors delegated out of every Province, Mr. Boìd Preaching in his course among others, had this testimony from all, that so copious and His Sermons.eloquent language was admirable in a Foreigner, who had so lately learned their Tongue.
And having a great care to improve his learning, and a desire to settle himself in France, he began to bethink himself of a fit Yoke-fellow, and finding an honest Virgin of the Family of Malivern, he sought to her Parents for their consent, who having received a satisfactory testimony out of Scotland, of the Nobility of his birth, and competency of his Estate, they easily yeilded, and so he took her to Wife, with the great good liking both of the Church and University, who hoped, that by this means he would be fixed among them, so as never to entertain thoughts of returning to Scotland again, to settle there.His Marriage.
But e're long things fell out otherwife; for King James taking care of the Universities within his Dominions, and hearing of Mr. Boid, what great credit he had at Samur, and being told by some noble Scotchmen, who were of kin to him, that he was most fit to be placed over the Colledge of Glascow, as one that was like to adorn the Divinity Chair there, they fo far prevailed that King James commanded him to return to his own Country; writing also to the Lord Du Plessis, that with his and the Universities good leave he might come His return to Scotland.away. Thus his former purposes being overpowred, neither himself, nor they in France, to whom he was obliged, being able to resist, with much difficulty getting the consent of his Wife and her Parents, he bid Farewel to the University of Samur, who, sensible of their great loss, dismissed him with much grief.
This removal from Samur to Glascow was An. Dom. 1615. where for the first four years space all things went according to his own desire. His exemplary Holiness, singular Learning, admirable Eloquence; his Gravity, Humility, unaffected Modesty, extraordinary Diligence both in his Ecclesiastical and Scholastical Employment, above the rate of ordinary Pastors or Professors, drew all to a Reverence, Love, and Esteem for, and many even to an admiration of, him. Under his conduct, with the assistance of his Colleagues, Mr. His success there.William Blair, Mr. David Dickson, Mr. James Robertson, Mr. James Sharp, and Mr. Robert Blair, the affairs of the University flourisht exceedingly. From the very beginning of the Reformation, the credit and concerns thereof, were in a very good posture, by the care, and endeavours of Mr. Andrew Melvin, and Mr. Thomas Smeton the Presidents there, who were famous for their dextrous management of all things relating both to Discipline, Manners and learning: but after the coming of Mr. Boid, every thing grew to a far greater heighth.
His pains were unparallel'd, and indefatigable; for he sate daily at his studies, from morning His Industry.till midnight, and sometime longer, saving only a few hours for the necessary resection of nature, and dispatch of the Exercises of his Place. For his Diet, he was very strict and severe: yet in his private conversation, when at any time he unbended himself thereto (for he was neither a man for all company, nor for any company at all seasons) he was most obligingly courteous, and among those with whom he was familiar, he was sometimes very pleasant and chearful, In all his publick Lectures, Piety, Learning and Eloquence strove His rare Parts, and Practice.which should get the Mastery. In the exercise of Discipline, whether in private Classes, or publick Assemblies, such was the severity of his Reproofs, the earnestness of his persuasions, the authority of his Injunctions, the charity and prudence of his Counsels, and in all such a prevailing persuasiveness, that his looks and words were more powerful to reform what was amiss, than the sharpest corrections of others. And one Engine he had of greater force than all the rest to work upon the most obstinate minds, and that was his solemn Prayers after the exercise of publick Discipline, and weekly censures, which he utter'd in Latine, with excellent and constant variety of composure, whereby he drew even rivers of tears from, and stir'd up troops of ardent desires in some of his hearers.
Samur had abundant experience for six whole years together of his solidity in moderating, and determining in their Disputations, and Glascow had no less trial of his subtilty and profoundness in his extemporary Disputations in the solemn and frequent examination of Students: for, as for the Problematical sporting with Divinity, by young Men, so much used in most Universities, he thought it below the Majesty of that sacred Art: and therefore, though he were a most acute and skilful Master in the art of Disputing, and inferior to none, if not superior to most therein, yet he seem'd to have a peculiar conversation from it, and saw so many things which he thought fit to be reformed in your ordinary Divinity Disputations, that he resolved wholly to forbear that exercise at Glascow.
As for Conference and Discourse, though he condemn'd the practice of some in trifling Prudence.away their golden hours in frivilous chat, and impertinent prattle, yet if any one came to him either for satisfaction in any doubt, or for Counsel, or Comfort, or upon any such serious account, none did entertain them with greater humanity and humility, or more fully and freely open himfelf unto them.
But above all, his peculiar Excellency did seem to lie in Practical Divinity, and resolving Piety.Cases of Conscience; as appears not only by the whole contexture of his rare Comment on the Epistle to the Ephesians, but especially by that part of it on the 6th Chapter.
His manner of performing his Lectures was this; Twice a week he read for an hour and a half together; but he did not read out of his Papers all that he delivered, as the custom of most is, but uttered all in a continued Discourse, without any hesitation, and with as much ease and freedom of speech as the most Eloquent Divine is wont to deliver his popular Sermons in his Mother Tongue. One thing especially was admirable and astonishing in him, that all his Quotations out of the Greek Fathers, which were frequent, and sometimes very long, he repeated by heart, and never made use of any Notes in the Chair, except for an extraordinary long passage out of Chrysostom once or twice.
We come now to the last part of his Life. For the four first years, after his coming to Troubles begin.Glascow, all things ran smoothly, as was said; but afterwards the Clouds began to rise, and the Malice of the Devil did not suffer him to enjoy a much longer time of Peace. In the year 1618. as the Synod of Dort met together, which proved very happy and successful to the Reformed Churches; so there was held an Assembly at Perth, which proved as fatal and mischievous to the British Churches. King James, otherwise a most wise Prince, was fatally mistaken in this, in that he suffered himself; to be influenc'd so far by the Counsels of A. Bishop Bancroft, and other Court-Bishops, as to resolve either by art, or force, to conform the Scottish Church to the English in point of Government and Ceremonies: And as a little before he had obtruded some Bishops out of England upon the Scotch Churches sore against their minds; so by means of that mock-counterfeit Synod at Perth, he appointed that five of the Chief English Ceremonies should be brought into use in Scotland. Hence came that train of quarrels, troubles and confusions, which overturned from the very Foundations, that flourishing Church. And though many, some out of one respect, some out of another, did submit their necks to this yoak; yet divers of the most Eminent Ministers, both for Piety and Learning, stood up in defence of the Liberty and Purity of the Scottish Church, against the Innovation and Violent Attempts of the Bishops and Court-Party: And though Mr. Boid did not publickly intermeddle with these Controversies, yet he did not obsurely favour the Dissenters: But however, he extended his Charity to the Bishops, as hoping well of them, not being as yet thorowly acquainted with their Designs and Practices.
But as soon as the Bishops perceived that he did favour their Opposers, they lookt upon him with an evil Eye, and by their Emissaries did wrest all his deeds and words to the worst sense. Robert Bruce, the Head of the Anti-Episcopal Party in Scotland, came frequently to a House of his, which was near Glascow; thither Mr. Boid went once or twice to make him a Visit, they being of Antient Acquaintance. This the Prelatical pick-thanks laid hold on, not only to spread abroad Rumors among the common people, but to write to the King also, That Trochreg was gone over into the Tents of the Puritanes, as they called them. Hereupon, that he might decline the King's displeasure, which he was afraid of, and the Bishops hatred, he entertained thoughts of leaving his publick Employment, and retiring himself to his own Estate which he had in Carick; from which yet he was earnestly dissuaded by all his Friends; but all in vain; for he was fully resolved to lay aside both all his Academical and Ecclesiastical Imployments, which accordingly he did sore against He laid down his imployments.the mind of all those that were well-wishers to him, notwithstanding all they could say to the contrary: Which course yet he soon after repented of; for he considered that no man ought voluntarily to put himself out of that Station and Employment wherein God by his Providence has plac'd him, except he be by violence forc'd thereto; and therefore he earnestly desired that God would open a Door for his return again to some Employment either in the Church or University, that so his Talent that God had intrusted him with, His troubles.might again be brought forth to publick use for the honour of his Lord and Master.
While he lived in this Privacy and Retirement, he kept correspondence with Dr. Rivet (as he had done all along from their first Acquaintance) and communicated all his Affairs to him; and among other things, he acquainted him how that some who had been his familiars, and pretended friends formerly, now discovered much Enmity against him: Whereupon he wrote to them modestly and meekly, declaring his Judgment, and beseeching them by the bowels of Christ, to deal tenderly with their Brethren; and to use their best Endeavours for procuring them liberty from that intollerable yoak which was imposed upon their consciences: This they took so heinously, and treated him so roughly afterwards, that he said he thought he might have found more favor from the General of the Jesuits, with his four Assessors, than he did from them: He added, that according to the present posture of assairs, he saw little likelyhood of obtaining any further publick employment; though there was fire kindled in his Breast ready to break forth, when as he saw and heard those things which daily occur'd to his Eyes and Ears.
While he was thus solicitous what to do, there came Messengers to him from Edinburgh, desiring him to come to them, and undertake the charge of the Presidentship of the University, and of a Pastor of a Church, both which were then void. This wisht-for opportunity which thus unexpectedly offer'd it self, he readily embrac't, and came immediately to Edinburgh, preparing himself to a diligent discharge of his undertaking. But the Devil fearing the ruine of his Kingdom by the singular accomplishments of this eminent Servant of God, laid a block in his way at his very entrance; for some of the Ministers of Edinburgh, who were leaven'd with pride and error, fearing the presence of so holy and learned a man, wrote letters to Spotswood A. B. of St. Andrews, and to the English Court, whereby they obtain'd from King James Letters to the Magistrates of Edinburgh, wherein he straitly charged them that they should by no means suffer Mr. Boid the use of either the Chair or the Pulpit in their City.
This holy Man had resolved to discourse upon the Gospel of St. John in his Sermons to the People, but being thus stopt at the very beginning, he composed these Verses with a sorrowful heart, which he wrote at the end of the first Sermon he had prepared on that Gospel.
Caetera ne quaeras, nam haec lumine caepta sub ipso
Irati abrupit Regis violentia, qui me
Jus…meruum repetitis expulit illâ
… ubi me concordia vota piorum
…amna deflent sua) Christo autore locârant.
…? Habe; Quia Pontificalis abollae
… placet, nec fimbria—
Thus he was sent a second time to his uneasy privacy, where he lived a kind of banisht or imprison'd life; though by the diligent endeavours of his Friends he was almost recal'd again to Glascow. At length the charge of the Church at Paslet was committed to him: but here new storms arose: for the Widow of the Earl of Abercorn, Baron of Paslet, who was neat a kin to Mr. Boid, being lately turned Papist, stirred up her Children and Servants to give this Servant of God all the disturbance they could, and so to tire him out, and force him to leave the place; the Baron of Streban, a rash young man, complying too much with his Mothers advice, took the opportunity of Mr. Boid's absence, his Kinsman, and brake open the doors of his House, and in a tumultuous and reproachful manner, threw out all his Houshold stuff into the Streets: whereupon it was observed that that Family never did thrive afterwards, but were in a decaying condition, till they were reduced almost to nothing. Mr. Boid being almost overwhelmed with these troubles, withdrew from all publick imployment, and continued at his own House in Carict, until at length by his continual watching, grief, and excessive studies he contracted a swelling in his Throat: whereupon he went to Edinburgh to consult some Physitians about it: but the distemper prevailing upon him, it put an end to his life.
He died Jan. 5. 1627. in the 49th year of his age, in the midst of the sighs and His Death.tears of his dear and neer friends, who were witnesses of those divine joys and consolations wherewith his Soul was filled, even amidst the assaults of Satan, and those other trials that befel him.
These following Verses I thought fit to transcribe, as containing in them a brief account of the several places in which he had his residence from his Birth to his Death.
Glascoa te genuit; Titulos Trochoregia Patrum
Et Gentilitium stemma decusque dedit;
Aira & Edina rudes annos formavit; at aevi
Excoluit florem Gallia culta tui;
Te Mont-alba Sophum gremio complexa benigno est;
Verthulium eloquii Ver tulit inde sacri,
Salmura te Verbi Synodo suadente Ministrum
Evocat, & Cathedram contulit alma suam;
Postmodo te sacri Praeconem Glascoa Verbi
Accipit, imperio Rex Iacobe tuo;
Hic ubi florentis Doctor, Praesesque Lycaei
Parta fuit studiis messis opima tuis
Primorum arbitrio tandem selectus Edinam
(Praesidis a sacris sede vacante) colis;
Hinc pulsum rigido dominantis presulis oestro,
Amplexa est gremio Pasleta laeta suo;
Inde odiis Strabane tuis vi pulsus, Edinae
Finiit aerumnas mors tibi grata tuas.