Page:Life and prophecies of Mr. Alexander Peden (1).pdf/2



R. 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 School Maſter, Precentor, 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, he told the father of it; who ſaid, I'll run for it, and go to Ireland; father it on 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 is 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, be 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, and would neither eat nor drink, but ſaid, I have got what I, and I will be vindicated, and that poor unhappy laſs will pay dear for it in her life, and will make