Page:Life and prophecies of Mr. Alexander Peden (3).pdf/47

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been validated.

( 47 )

wringing his hands: one John Simpſon, a godly man, inquired what the matter was that made bim weep; He ſaid, "I have been wreſtling all night with God, for our friends that are in the Weſt but cannot prevail." I gave an account in the former paſſages, about the middle of that day, many people were waiting for ſermon; when ſome told him, he ſaid, "Let the people go to their prayers, for I can preach none; our friends are all fled and fallen before the enemy, and they are hagging and haſhing them down, and their blood is running like water." At night he was called to ſupper, having taſted nothing that day, ſeveral friends being preſent: In seeking a bleſſing, he broke out in a rapture of weeping and lamentations for that ſad ſtroke upon the bodies of the Lord's people; but much more for the dead-ſtroke the greateſt part had got upon their ſpirits, that few of the miniſters and profeſſors of Scotland ſhould ever recover; which ſadly held true, as I formerly mentioned the ſcrapes of writings of that blaſt of Eaſt withering wind. He alſo inſiſted in prayer for the wounded, who were wallowing to death in their blood; and for the many priſoners: When ended, he went off, and all others, without taſting of their ſupper, thought it was upon the table. At this time he was forty or fifty miles diſtant from Bothwel-bridge.

8 About this time he was preaching in the South, on that text, But they are not grieved for the afflictions of Joſeph. He had many edifying remarks upon the foregoing verſes, cſpecially upon the firſt line, Wo unto them that are at eaſe in Zion. He inſiſted upon the true nature of grieving; and lamented that there was ſo little grieving for the preſent great afflictons of the Church of Scotland. One woman ſtanding amongſt the people, pointing to her, ſaid, "Some of you will grieve and greet more for the drowning of a bit of a calf or ſtirk than ever ye did for all the tyranny and defections of Scotland" That woman had a calf drowned a few days before, for which ſhe made great noiſe. She challenged his landlady for telling the miniſter that ſhe grat for her,