the education of youth in heathen writings.----Whereupon
he betook himself to the reading of the holy scriptures and the ancient
fathers, especially Augustine, who had another relish; and though he
perceived that our reformed divines were more sound than several of the
ancient, yet in his spare hours he resolved to peruse the ancient
monuments, wherein he made a considerable progress.

In summer 1616, he entered on trials for the ministry, and it was laid
upon him to preach in the college-kirk the first Sabbath after his
licence; and some years after, being told by some of the hearers (who
were better acquainted with religion, than he was then) that in his
sermon the Lord did speak to their hearts, which not only surprized him,
but also stirred him to follow after the Lord.

Upon an evening, the same year, having been engaged with some
irreligious company, when he returned to his chamber to his wonted
devotion, he was threatened to be deserted of God, had a restless night,
and to-morrow resolved on a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer, and
towards the end of that day he found access to God with sweet peace,
through Jesus Christ, and turned to beware of such company; but running
into another extreme of rudeness and incivility to profane persons, he
found it was very hard for short-sighted sinners to hold the right and
the straight way.

While he was regent in the college, upon a report that some sinful oath
was to be imposed upon the masters, he enquired at Mr. Gavin Forsyth,
one of his fellow-regents, What he would do in this? He answered, By my
faith I must live.----Mr. Blair said, "Sir, I will not swear by my
faith, as you do, but, truly, I intend to live by my faith. You may
choose your own way, but I will adventure on the Lord."----And so this
man did continue (to whom the matter of an oath was a small thing) after
he was gone, but it is to be noticed, that Mr. Forsyth was many years in
such poverty as forced him to supplicate the general assembly for some
relief, when Mr. Blair (who was chosen moderator) upon his appearing in
such a desperate case, could not shun observing that former passage of
his, and upon his address to him in private, with great tenderness, put
him in mind, that he had been truly carried through by his faith, at
which he formerly had scoffed.

Some time after he was a regent in the college, he was under deep
exercises of soul, wherein he attained unto much comfort.--Amongst other
thing