emory, and the solidity of his
judgment, that his dictates(97) to the scholars had a great depth of
learning of that kind, and perspicuity of expression. And I am assured,
that he was among the first in Scotland that began to reform Philosophy
from the barbarous terms, and unintelligible distinctions of the
schoolmen, and the many vain disputes and trifling subtilties, which
rather perplexed the minds of the youth, than furnished them with solid
and useful knowledge.(98)

He continued in this profession for the space of three years, and
discharged his trust so well, that he gained the general applause of the
university for his academical exercises. And this was the more wonderful,
that having turned his thoughts towards the ministry, he carried on his
theological studies at the same time, and made vast improvements therein,
to which he was enabled, by his deep penetration, and a memory so
retentive, that he scarcely forgot any thing he had read or heard. It was
easy and ordinary for him to transcribe any sermon, after he returned to
his chamber, at such a full length, as that the intelligent and judicious
reader who heard it preached should not find one sentence to be wanting.

During this period of his life, he gave a proof and evidence of the great
progress he had made in the knowledge of Divinity, by a composure on that
choice passage of the Holy Scripture, 2 Cor. v. 14, "For the love of God
constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then
were all dead."

This performance he sent to a certain gentlewoman for her private
edification, who had been detained at Edinburgh for a long time with
business of importance, and having perused the same, she judged it was a
sermon of some eminent minister in the West of Scotland, and put it into
the hands of the then Provost of Edinburgh for his opinion, who was so
well satisfied with it, that supposing it to be taken from the mouth of
one whom the city had formerly resolved to call, was restless till a call
was brought about to him, to be one of the ministers of the city. But when
the lady returned back to Glasgow, she found her mistake, by Mr. Binning's
asking the discourse from her. This was the first discovery he had given
of his great dexterity and ability in explaining of Scripture. At the
expiration of his third year as a professor of philosophy, the parish of
Govan, which lies adjacent to the city of Glasgow, and is within the
bounds of that presby