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this was his ordinary way of speaking, when he gave his thoughts of what was to come) you need not fear that, as long as this persecution lasts; for the Lord hath a greater respect to his own suffering people, than to suffer such a rough wind to blow in such an east wind; for, if that were, the heavy end of that stroke would come upon his own people: For me, I am to die shortly, by the hand of this bloody enemy; but you that outlive this persecution as I am of the mind you will both do (which they did both, and saw the sad accomplishment) you will see cleanness of teeth, and many a black pale face, which shall put many a thousand to their graves in Scotland with unheard of natures of fluxes and fevers, and otherwise; and there shall be great distress in the land, and wrath upon this people. Mr. Peden did foresee and foretel the same things, but in his own peculiar way of expressing himself saying, "As lang as the lads are upon the hills, and in glens and caves you will have bannocks o'er night; but if once they were beneath the bield of this brae, you will have clean teeth, and mony a black and pale face in Scotland." The sad accomplishment of these sayings will lamentably appear in these following instances.
In the year 1694, in the month of August, that crop got such a stroke in one night, by east mist, or fog standing like mountains, (and where it remained longest and thickest, the badder were the effects) which all our old men that had seen frost, blasting and mildewing, had never seen the like.
In November that winter, many were smitten with many sore fluxes, and strange fevers (which carried many off the stage) of such a nature and manner, that our old physicians had never seen the like, and could make no help; for all things that used to be proper remedies, proved destructive: And this was not to be imputed to had unwholesome victual for several who had plenty of old victual did send to Glasgow for Irish meal, and yet (illegible text) with fluxes and fevers in a more violent and infectious nature and manner than the poorestin
