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uſeful and edifying, when he and I are both mouldering in the duſt For himſelf, he willing would, and ſometime a-day could; but now, being 74 years of age, and 7 years in impriſonment, and often times in irons, and many other troubles, through his ⟨life⟩, his memory and judgment were much broke, and therefore he could make me little help Only he remembered, he was once ſent from the ſocieties in Galloway to Carrick, ⟨to⟩ call Mr Peden to preach: When he told him for what end he was come, Mr. Peden went for ſome time alone; and when he came back, he ſaid, "I am ſorry, Earlſtoun, you are come ſo far in vain, for I cannot anſwer your d ſire; I can get nothing to ſay to your people: Nothing will convince this generation but judgments, and a ſurpriſing lump of them upon the Weſt of Scotland." Earlſtoun ſaid, Sir, you was once legally ordained and authoriſed to preach the goſpel, and the Lord's people's call is ſufficient; I think you are under temptation of enthuſiaſm." Mr Peden ſaid, he ſometimes feared that; but since he was driven from his people at Glenluce, his Maſter, in mercy and goodneſs, gave him more encouragement; and gave one inſtance, That one time he was called, and reſolved, and prepared to go, as he thought; but, when his horſe was drawn, he went into the barn once more, where he was ſtript bare of all his thoughts, and a darkening, damping cloud overwhelmed him, which ſtopt him: And he afterwards ſaw a remarkable providence in it, and need be for it. And, further, he ſaid, The laſt time he ſaw Mr. Peden, it was with Mr Cargil, where they continued a long time comparing notes together; ſeeing with one eye, thinking with one mind and ſpeaking with one breath, of all things paſt, preſent, and what was to befal this church and nation.
30. In his laſt ſermon, which, as I ſaid before was in the Colm-wood, he ſaid, That in a few years ⟨after⟩ his death, there would be a wonderful alteration of affairs in Britain and Ireland, and the perſecution in