Alexander Peden c.1626 - 1686
Charismatic covenanter.
Born at Sorn (near Mauchline)
and educated at Glasgow University, Peden became a teacher at Tarbolton and
then Minister of New Luce, Dumfries and Galloway (1660). Peden was forced out
following the restoration of King Charles II because he opposed the Episcopal
system which was being enforced, where bishops and the King held power in the
church, rather than the Presbyterian system, which involved much greater
democracy.
Peden preached at coventicles around the country, but was forced
to flee to Ireland in 1665.
He returned in 1673 but was captured near
Ballantrae, taken for trial in Edinburgh and imprisoned on the Bass Rock (East
Lothian) until 1678.
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Photos. Top left - The Peden Memorial. Top right - Inscription on memorial stone. Left - Memorial church, ruins. |