a new explication of the holy
bible, and among others of the godly and learned in the ministry, Mr.
Blair had the book of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes assigned to him for his
part, but he neglected that task, till he was rendered useless for other
purposes, and then set about and finished his commentary on the Proverbs
in 1666. He composed also some small poetical pieces, as a poem in
commendation of Jesus Christ, for the confutation of Popish errors; with
some short epigrams on different subjects.

_The Life of Mr. HUGH M'KAIL._

Mr. M'Kail was born about the year 1640, and was educated at the
university of Edinburgh, under the inspection of his uncle Mr. Hugh
M'Kail (in whose family he resided). In the winter 1661, he offered
himself to trials for the ministry, before the presbytery of Edinburgh,
(being then about 20 years old) and being by them licensed he preached
several times with great applause. He preached his last public sermon
from Cant. i. 7. in the great church of Edinburgh, upon the Sabbath
immediately preceding the 8th of Sept. 1662, the day fixed, by the then
parliament, for the removal of the ministers of Edinburgh.

In this sermon, taking occasion to speak of the great and many
persecutions to which the church of God has been and is obnoxious,
amplifying the point from the persons and powers that have been
instrumental therein, he said, That the church and people of God had
been persecuted both by a Pharaoh on the throne, a Haman in the state,
and a Judas in the church, &c.; which case, to the conviction of his
adversaries, seemed so similar to the state and condition of the then
rulers of church and state, that though he made no particular
application, yet was he reputed guilty; whereupon, a few days after, a
party of horse was sent to the place of his residence near Edinburgh, to
apprehend him; but, upon little more than a moment's advertisement, he
escaped out of bed into another chamber, where he was preserved from the
search. After this, he was obliged to return home to his father's house,
and, having lurked there a-while, he spent other four years before his
death in several other places.

While he lived at his father's house, troubles arose in the west; and
the news thereof having alarmed him, with the rest of that country, upon
the 18th of November, for such motives and considerations as he himself
afterwards more fully declares, he joined himself to those who rose in
these parts, for