ALEXANDER PEDEN
Alexander Peden was born in the shire of Ayr, in Southwest Scotland. His life and ministry spanned a period of tremendous sacrifice in the life of the Scottish church. Banished from the pulpit after only three years of pastoral work, his ministry took on an unusual nature. He held secret meetings throughout the countryside, in barns, fields and homes. Once while I was visiting the National Museum of Scotland, I came upon the most bizarre artifact from this Reformation period.Because it was against the law for Peden to preach or conduct public meetings, he wore a mask to conceal his identity against any informers in the crowds. This mask can be seen at the site: www.nms.ac.uk then click on "Museum of Scotland, then click on "Kingdom of the Scots", then click on "Reformed Church". His mask is at the top.
He was also known as "Prophet Peden" because of the spirit of prophecy that seemed to rest on him. The following is a quote from a prophecy given concerning the spiritual climate of Scotland. "Yes, this is a dark, discouraging time, but there will be a darker time than this; these silly, graceless curates will go down; and after them shall arise a party called Presbyterians, but having little more than the name and these shall as really crucify Christ in His cause and interest in Scotland. Oh! then there shall be darkness such as the poor Church of Scotland never saw the like. They shall be so dark, that if a poor thing would go from the east to the west, seeking a minister to whom he would communicate about his soul, he shall not find one."
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