Page:Life and prophecies of Mr. Alex. Peden (4).pdf/4

 without at the time, was called in by the moderator; and being questioned about it, he said, I am utterly 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, and would neither eat nor drink, but said, I have got what I was seeking, and I will be vindicated, and that poor unhappy lass will pay dear for it in her life, and will make a dismal end; and for this surfeit of grief that she hath given me, there shall never one of her sex come into my bosom; and, accordingly he never married. There are various reports of the way that he was vindicated; some say, the time she was in child-birth, Mr. Guthrie, charged her to give account who was the father of that child, and discharged the woman to be helpful to her, until she did it, some say, that she confessed; others, that she remained obstinate. Some of the people when I made inquiry about it in that countryside affirmed, that the Presbytery had been at all pains about it, and could get no satisfaction they appointed Mr. Guthrie to give a full relation of the whole before the congregation which he did; and the same day the father of the child being present, when he heard Mr. Guthrie begin to speak, he stood up and desired him to halt, and said, I am the father