a minister.

He stayed not long here, for, having, before the general assembly held
at Glasgow 1638, fully vindicated himself, both anent his affair with
Dr. Cameron, while regent in the university, and his settlement in
Ireland, he was, for his great parts and known abilities, by them
ordered to be transported to St. Andrews; but the assembly's motives to
this did prove his determent for some time, and the burgh of Ayr, where
the Lord had begun to bless his labours, had the favour for another
year. But the assembly held at Edinburgh 1630, being offended for his
disobeying, ordered him peremptorily to transport himself thither.

_Anno_ 1640, when the king had, by the advice of the clergy, caused burn
the articles of the former treaty with the Scots, and again prepared to
chastise them with a royal army, the Scots, resolving not always to play
after-game, raised an army, invaded England, routed about 4000 English
at Newburn, had Newcastle surrendered to them, and within two days, were
masters of Durham; which produced a new treaty, more favourable to them
than the former; and with this army was Mr. Blair, who went with lord
Lindsay's regiment; and, when that treaty was on foot, the committee of
estates and the army sent him up to assist the commissioners with his
best advice.

Again after the rebellion in Ireland 1641, those who survived the storm,
supplicated the general assembly 1642, for a supply of ministers, when
severals went over, and among the first Mr. Blair. During his stay
there, he generally preached once every day, and twice on Sabbath, and
frequently in the field, the auditors being so large, and in some of
these he administered the Lord's supper.

After his return, the condition of the church and state was various
during the years 1643, and 1644; and particularly in Aug. 1643, the
committee of the general assembly, whereof Mr. Blair was one, with John
earl of Rutland, and other Scots commissioners from the parliament of
England, and Messrs. Stephen Marshal and Philip Nye, ministers, agreed
to a solemn league and covenant betwixt the two kingdoms of Scotland and
England; and in the end of the same year, when the Scots assisted the
English parliament, Mr. Blair was, by the commission of the general
assembly, appointed minister to the earl of Crawford's regiment; with
whom he stayed until the king was routed at Marston-muir July 1644,
when he returned to his charge at St. Andrews.

The parliament and com