Page:Life & prophecies of Mr. Alexr. Peden.pdf/2



1. Mr was born in the parish of Sorn, in the sheriffdom of Ayr. After that he past his course at the College, he was employed for some time to be school master. precenter and session clerk to Mr John Guthrie, minister of the gospel at Tarbolton When he was about to enter on the ministry, a young woman fell with child, in adultery, to a servant in the house where he stayed; when she found herself to be so, she told the father herself, who said, I'll run for it and go to Ireland, father it upon Mr. Peden, he has more to help you to bring it up (he having a small heritage) than I have. The same day that he was to get his licence, she came in before the Presbytery and said, I hear you are to licence Mr. Peden be a minister; but do it not, for I am with child to him. He being without at the time, was called in by the moderater; and being questioned about it, he said. I am surprised, I cannot speak; but let none entertain an ill thought of me, for I am utterly free of it, and God will vindicate me in his own time and way. He went home, and walked at a water-side upwards of 24 hours,