Wednesday, November 23, 2005

Who Was That Masked Prophet? X

Selections from the works of Alexander Peden

Because Peden lived and died during times of persecution, and his 'study' was a cave in the ground, he has not left much in the way of writings. We have two sermons, four letters and some 'Notes on the Covenant of Redemption' amounting to a single sheet of paper. These may be found on pages 182-220 of Johnston's book (see last post and here). The two sermons were preached out of doors in Peden's old parish of New Luce. The first sermon was on the text Matthew 21.38.

"Now, people of God in Scotland, what are ye doing when such dreadful wrath against God is at the door in Scotland? He is not worth his room in Scotland the day that prayeth not the half of his time, to see if he can prevent the dreadful wrath that is at your door, coming on your poor motherland. O sirs! ye must pray ploughing, harrowing, and shearing, ay and at all your labour, ay, when ye are eating and drinking, going out and in, and at all your employments; there never was more need than now. O that noble life we might have of communion with God! O sirs! it is He that makes heaven pleasant; it's communion with God that makes heaven pleasant. Will ye long to be there, O people of God?"

"Young folk, what are ye doing? Will ye venture to close with Him, lads and lasses in Scotland, and I will tell you news of it. The lads and lasses that have followed Him in the stormy blast, and laid down their lives for Him, your eyes, sirs, shall see them on thrones, and crowns on their heads, and robes of glory, with harps and palms in their hands, as ye may see in the Revelation 7th chapter and 9th verse."

"Grace is young glory at your conversion. Our Lord gives you one end of His line, but He keeps the other end in glory with himself; and He will have you there, sirs, at length."

And from the second sermon, on Luke 24.21:
"Where is the Kirk of God in Scotland this day? It is not among the great clergy folk. Sirs, I'll tell you where the Kirk of God is - wherever there is a praying lad or lass at a dyke-side in Scotland, a praying party will ruin them [the oppressors of the Church] yet, sirs, and a praying party shall go through the storm."


Words for our day as well as that day. May we learn from the Masked Prophet of the Covenant.

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