s younger years he made much conscience of obeying his parents,
whose order (if they had spoken of putting him to any trade) he would no
way decline, yet his inclination was constant for his book, until
providence propitiously furnished him with means of greater proficiency
at Edinburgh, by many, who were so enamoured of his hopeful disposition,
that they earnestly promoted his education; and when he was ready for
the university, they encouraged him in attending gentlemen's sons for
the improvement of their studies and his own both; which consorting of
youths, as it is usually accompanied with various temptations to
youthful vanity, so it inticed him, with others, to spend too much of
his time in gaming and recreations. Then it was, for no other part of
his time can be instanced, when some, who knew him not (for these were
only his traducers), took occasion from this extravagance, to reproach
him with profanity and flagitiousness, which his nature ever abhorred,
and disdained the very suspicion thereof. When his time at the college
drew near an end, he demonstrated such a tenderness of offending God,
&c. that, upon his refusal of the oath of allegiance then tendered, he
was denied his share of the public solemnity of laureation with the rest
of the candidates; but received it privately at Edinburgh. After which
he continued his studies, attending on the then private and persecuted
meetings for gospel-ordinances for a time.

But upon a deplorable discovery of the unfaithfulness of the generality,
even of non-conformist ministers, he was again for some time plunged in
the deeps of darkness; doubting what should be the end of such
backsliding courses, until, upon a more inquisitive search after such
ministers as were freest from these defections, he found more light, and
his knowledge of the iniquity of these courses was augmented and his
zeal increased. And being more confirmed, when he beheld how signally
the faithful ministers were owned of the Lord, and carried off the stage
with great stedfastness, faith and patience, especially after the death
of that faithful minister and martyr, Mr. Donald Cargil (at whose
execution he was present July 27, 1681.), he was so commoved, that he
determined to embark with these witnesses in that cause for which they
suffered: and he was afterward so strengthened and established in that
resolution, getting instruction about these things in and from the word,
so sealed with a strong hand u