Page:Life and prophecies of Mr. Alex. Peden (3).pdf/2

 THE

Life and Prophecies

OF

ALEXANDER PEDEN.

1. Mr ALEXANDER PEDEN 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 schoolmaster, precenter and session clerk to Mr John Guthrie, minister of the gospel at Tarbolton. When he was about to enter to the ministry a young woman fell with child in adultry, to a servant in the house where he stayed; when she found herself to be so, she told the father 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 this licence, she came in before the Presbytery and said, I hear you are to licence Mr Peden to 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 moderator; 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