Who Was That Masked Prophet? VI

The Return of the Exile

(The battle of Bothwell Bridge)

In the summer of 1679, Alexander Peden came North again. At the same time the Covenanters (persecuted presbyterians) had risen again, and were marching on Glasgow. Flushed with success after routing a small force of government troops, they had raised an army to take the second city of Scotland. On 22nd June 1679, the Covenanter army met the government forces in battle at Bothwell Bridge. Peden was in the borders, many miles from the scene of combat. On the saturday before the battle he had cried out at worship in the family with whom he was staying, "I tell you, sirs, our deliverance will never come by the sword. Many thought, when the bishops were first set up, that they would not continue seven years; but I was never of that mind. It is now near three sevens; they will not see the fourth seven, but I fear they will come near to it." The Episcopalian regime was not overturned until 1688.

The two armies met on the Sabbath, when Peden was due to preach. He said, "let the people go to prayer, for I can preach none. Our friends are fled and fallen before the enemy... and their blood is flowing like water." Throughout the day he spoke of what was happening at Bothwell Bridge, and how it would be such a heavy stroke on Scotland. Only when the battle was done did news reach the Borders.

Depressed by what had happened, Peden went to Ireland for a short time, where he ministered among the Scottish refugees. He soon returned to Scotland and continued to preach, giving occasional 'prophetical words,' if the histories are to be trusted.

The days of the Masked Prophet were growing short, and he would not live to see the end of persecution. There were still two more scenes of prophecy in his life, and to those I intend to turn, God willing, to-morrow.