ty either as to matter or
method.

He became the chief instrument of that great work which appeared shortly
thereafter at Six-mile water, and other parts in the counties of Down
and Antrim, and that not only by his own ministry, wherein he was both
diligent and faithful, but also in the great pains he took to stir up
others unto the like duty.

While he was at Bangor, there was one Constable, in that parish, who
went to Scotland with horses to sell, and at a fair sold them all to
one, who pretended he had not that money at present, but gave him a bond
till Martinmass.--The poor man, suspecting nothing, returned home; and
one night, about that time, going homeward near Bangor, his merchant
(who was supposed to be the devil) meets him; "Now, says he, you know my
bargain, how I bought you at such a place, and now am come, as I
promised, to pay the price." Bought me! said the poor man trembling, you
bought but my horses. Nay, said the devil, I will let you know I bought
yourself and farther said, He must either kill somebody, and the more
excellent the person, the better it would be for him; and particularly
charged him to kill Mr. Blair, else he would not free him. The man was
so overcome with terror, thro' the violence of the temptation, that he
determined the thing and went to Mr. Blair's house, with a dagger in his
right hand, under his cloke, and though much confounded, was moving to
get it out, but, on Mr. Blair's speaking to him, he fell a-trembling,
and on inquiry declared the whole fact, and withal said, He had laboured
to draw out the dagger but it would not come from the scabbard, though
he knew not what hindered it; for when he essayed to draw it forth,
again, it came out with ease. Mr. Blair blessed the Lord, and exhorted
him to choose him for his refuge; after which, he departed[142].

But two weeks afterwards (being confined to his bed) he sent for Mr.
Blair, and told him, That the night before as he was returning home, the
devil appeared to him, and challenged him for opening to Mr. Blair what
had passed betwixt them, claiming him as his, and putting the cap off
his head and the band from his neck, said, That on hallow-evening he
should have him soul and body, in spite of the minister and all others,
and begged Mr. Blair, for Christ's sake, to be with him against that
time. Mr. Blair instructed him, prayed with him, and promised to be with
him against the appointed time; but, before that time, he had much