He was from Easter Inch in Bathgate.[1]
He studied divinity at St Andrews University and Glasgow University graduating MA in 1641. He was ordained as minister of West Calder in the Presbytery of Linlithgow[2] in 1643. He was deposed due to the difficulties between politics and religion in 1660 but returned in 1687 and became minister of Trinity College Church in Edinburgh.[3]
On 16 October 1690 he was elected the first post-Revolution Moderator of the General Assembly under the renewed annual election system following the 30-year gap in tradition,[4] during which it is often forgotten that a "Constant Moderator" was elected, covering much longer periods, such as Walter Bruce of Inverkeithing who served 1662 to 1673. His immediate predecessor was Gabriel Cunningham who filled a short gap of around 3 months between Constant Moderator and Moderator.
At this time the Moderator acted under partial control of a "Commissioner" a more political role. The Commissioner for 1690 to 1692 was John Lord Carmichael.[5]
Under the new system he was appointed for two years and he was succeeded by William Crichton in 1692.[6]
He died in Edinburgh on 25 April 1692 whilst still in office as minister of Trinity College Kirk, and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard.[1]
