Robert Rollock (c.1555-1599) was the first principal of the University of Edinburgh. He was the son of David Rollock of Powis, near Stirling. He received his early education at the school of Stirling from Thomas Buchanan, a nephew of George Buchanan, and, after graduating at St. Andrews, became a regent there in 1580. In 1583 be was appointed by the Edinburgh town council sole regent of the towns college (Academia Jacobi Sexti, afterwards the University of Edinburgh), and three years later he received from the same source the title of principal, or first master, and was engaged in lecturing on philosophy.
When the staff of the young college was increased by the appointment of additional regents, he assumed with consent of the presbytery the office of professor of theology. From 1587 he also preached regularly in the East Kirk every Sunday at 7 am, and in 1596 he accepted one of the eight ministerial charges of the city. He took a prominent part in the somewhat troubled church politics of the day, and distinguished himself by gentleness and tact, as well as ability. He was appointed on several occasions to committees of presbytery and assembly on pressing ecclesiastical business. He was elected moderator of the General Assembly held at Dundee in May 1597. In 1598 he was translated to the parish church of the Upper Tolbooth, Edinburgh, and immediately thereafter to that of the Grey Friars (then known as the Magdalen Church). He died at Edinburgh on the 8th of February 1599. [More via Wikipedia] [Longer narratives of Rollock can be found here, here, and here.]
The Works of Robert Rollock:
Catechism on God’s Covenants. (20 pages)
{pdf via Mid-America Journal of Theology}
Translated by Aaron C. Denlinger, with a helpful introduction.
Selected Works of Robert Rollock (Volume 1). (678 pages)
{pdf epub mobi txt web via Internet Archive}
This volume includes:
- A helpful preface to the works of Rollock
- “A Narrative of the Life and Death of Mr. Robert Rollock of Scotland” by Henry Charteris
- A small collection of dedicatory epistles and prefaces
- “A Treatise of Our Effectual Calling”
- Catechetical Exposition of Modes of Revelation
- Eleven sermons (in Scottish, which are readable but very heavy sledding):
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-4
- 2 Corinthians 5:1-8
- 2 Corinthians 5:9-11
- 2 Corinthians 5:12-15
- 2 Corinthians 5:16-18
- 1 Corinthians 2:6-9
- 1 Corinthians 2:10-12
- 2 Corinthians 4:3-5
- 2 Corinthians 10:1-5
- Philippians 1:18-26
- Titus 3:3-7
- Seven more sermons (translated into English):
- Psalm 130:1-4
- Psalm 130:5-8
- Matthew 15:21-28
- Luke 7:37-50
- John 3:6
- 1 Timothy 1:12-14
- 1 Timothy 1:14-16
Selected Works of Robert Rollock (Volume 2). (744 pages)
{pdf epub mobi txt web via Internet Archive}
This volume includes (all in English):
- 27 lectures on the passion of Christ.
- 27 lectures on the resurrection of Christ.
- Two lectures on the ascension of Christ.