A fearful inundation of waters
“The manner of the rising of the waters was this - The rain began on Friday 12th October about ten
hours of the day; it continued that day and Saturday and in the night unlooked for, the water increased
so that all those that dwelt outwith the Castle Gavel Port in low houses behoved to go to high houses
for preservation of their lives; and being in high houses, the water rose to the laftings in the highest mid
house in the Castle Gavel before six hours in the Sunday morning; and the wind and wet continuing the
water ran like mill slouses at the yetts of divers parts in the north side of the High Gate. An great
tempestuous wind blew all this time from the east. The like fearful inundation of waters was never seen
in Perth in no man’s living remembrance; the Brig of Tay was haillie dung doon, except only ane bow
thereof left standing; none could get forth it, nor yet come within it, to make any relief thereto; whilk
brought the people under such fear, that they looked to have been destroyed. Whereupon Mr John
Malcolm, minister, powerfully endowed with God’s spirit caused ring the preaching bell and the haill
inhabitants came to the kirk and there he exhorted them to repent of their sins whilk had procured the
said judgement of God to come upon the city. Fasting preaching and prayer continued all that week,
our pastor continuing to exhort them to true repentance and amendment of life.
The waters began to assuage after Sunday; but after daylight passed there arose a greater tempest of
wind and rain. Notwithstanding thereof, miraculously, the waters decreased, whilk in the morning
moved the people in the kirk and all other places to give hearty thanks to God for his mercy towards
them.”
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