11 Facts About Alexander Peden

Alexander Peden, known as "Prophet Peden", was one of the leading figures in the Covenanter movement in Scotland.

Alexander Peden was a teacher at Tarbolton and then ordained minister of New Luce in Galloway in 1660.

Alexander Peden was born in Auchencloich in the parish of Sorn about 1626.

Alexander Peden wandered all over the south of Scotland, obtaining by his figurative and oracular style of address and his supposed prophetic gifts an extraordinary influence over the people, which was further increased by his hardships, perils, and numerous hairbreadth escapes.

Alexander Peden fled to Ireland in 1670, but returned in 1673.

From London, Alexander Peden found his way back to Scotland, and again to the north of Ireland.

In 1682, Alexander Peden performed the wedding ceremony of John Brown and his second wife, Isabel Weir.

Alexander Peden told Isabel after the ceremony, "You have a good man to be your husband, but you will not enjoy him long; prize his company, and keep linen by you to be his winding sheet, for you will need it when ye are not looking for it, and it will be a bloody one".

Alexander Peden was buried in the Boswell aisle of Auchinleck Church.

Alexander Peden was the most eminent and revered of all the Scottish covenanting preachers, and his influence upon the mass of the people was so great that they gave him the name of "The Prophet," and were accustomed to regard him as almost possessed of the prophetic afflatus.

Alexander Peden receives a good deal of attention in Jack Deere's book Surprised by the Voice of God, which records prophetic and other charismatic gifts practiced by historical reformed figures.