ed minister at Holywood in Ireland, sometime before Mr.
Blair was settled at Bangor, and with whom Mr. Blair, after his
settlement in that place, contracted such an acquaintance as was
comfortable to them both.

He applied himself close unto the work of the ministry, which no doubt
to him was the most desireable of all employments, being in the pulpit
in his own element, like a fish in the water, or bird in the air, always
judging that therein a Christian might enjoy much fellowship with Christ
and have an opportunity of doing him the best of services, considering
what Christ said to Peter, John xxi. 15. &c. _Lovest thou me more than
these----feed my lambs----feed my sheep._

Here he continued to exercise his office as a faithful pastor over the
flock to whom he was appointed overseer, until the time that several of
his faithful brethren were deposed and ejected by the bishops, at which
time the bishop of Down threatening Mr. Blair with a prosecution against
him, Mr. Cunningham and some others; to whom Mr. Blair said, "Ye may do
with me and some others as you please, but if ever ye meddle with Mr.
Cunningham your cup will be full," and indeed he was longer spared than
any of the rest, which was a great benefit to their flocks, for when
they were deposed, he preached every week in one or other of their
kirks. So with great pains both at home and abroad he wore out his body
which before was not very strong.

When Mr. Blair and Mr. Livingston were summoned before the bishop to be
deposed, they went the night before their appearance, to take their
leave of Mr. Cunningham, but the next day as they were going to the
church of Parphilips, he came up to them, whereat being surprised they
asked, Why he came thither? To which he answered, "All night I have been
troubled with that place, _at my first answer no man stood with me_,
therefore I am come to stand by you." But being the eye-sore of the
devil and the prelatical clergy in that part of the country, he could
not be suffered long to exercise his ministry, and in August 1636, he,
with other of his faithful brethren, was thrust out and deposed. He
continued mostly after this with the rest of his suffering brethren,
until after the defeat of their enterprise to New-England, that they
were obliged to leave Ireland and come over to Scotland, and not long
after he took his last sickness in Irvine, whereof he soon after died.

During his sickness, besides many other gracious exp