Page:Life and prophecies of Mr. Alexr. Peden.pdf/46

 5. About this time in their voyage, on the Sabbath, the prisoners pressed him to preach, the wind blowing very hardin that sermon he said Up your hearts lads, and be not discouraged, for this man thought he had got a prize, when he got the gift of us from the wicked, bloody Counsel; but, in a few days, he shall be as glad to be quit of us, as ever he was to get us. A little time ago, I had a long scroll of many accounts about Mr. Peden, from an old Christian English gentleman, who was much in his company, and gave me many notes of his sermons, and asserts the truth of many things I have said about him. that he was witness to and some other persons of great integrity. He assured me, the only instrument the Lord raised up for the relief of Mr Peden, and these six prisoners with him, was my Lord Shaftesbury, who was always friendly to Presbyterians. He went to Charles II. and upon his knees begged the release of these prisoners, but could not prevail. Then he went to the master of the ship, and told him. that if he did not set these prisoners at liberty, he should never sail in English seas. At length down to Gravesend, and set them at liberty. After that the Scots and English shewed more than ordinary kindness to them: which should be kept in remembrance with to the Lord, for favouring our outcasts.

6. After they were set at liberty, he stayed at London, and through England, until June 1679. Upon the 21st of June he was come to the south of Scotland being Saturday, the day before the Lord’s people fell and fled before the enemy at Bothwel-bridge; in his exercise in a family, he cried out, “I will tell you, sirs, our deliverance will never come by the sword. Many thought, when the bishops were first set up that they would not continue seven years but I was never of that and mind: it is now near three sevens, but they will not see the fourth seven. but I fear they will come near to it”—Which sadly came to pass.

7. He went that night to the fields, and came in on Sabbath morning, about the sun-rising, weeping and