Page:Some remarkable passages of the life and death of Master Alexander Peden.pdf/3



E was born in the parish of Sorn, in the sheriffdom of Air: after that he past his courses at the college, he was imployed for sometime to be school-master, precentor 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 to be with child in adultery, to a servant in that house where he stayed; when she found herself with child, she told the father thereof; he said, I'll run for it, and go to Ireland, father it upon Mr. Peden, he has more to help thee and bring it up (he having a piece of heritage) than I have. The same day that he was to get an act of license, she came in before the presbytry, and said, I hear your are to license Mr. Peden to be a minister; 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 will vindicate me in his own time and way. He went home and walked at a water side upwards of 24 hours, & would neither eat nor drink, at last he came in and said, Give me meat and drink, for 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 Rh