Christopher Love

Son of a Father of both his names, was born at Cardiff in Glamorganshire, became a Servitour of New Inn in Midsommer or Act term, 1635, aged 17 years, took a degree in Arts, holy Orders and would with great impudence and conceitedness ascend the pulpit in the Church of S Peter in the Baylie joyning to the said Inn, and there hold out prating for more than an hour before Academical, as well as Lay, auditors. In 1642, he proceeded Master of Arts, and was Junior of the Act then celebrated, at which time he performed the exercise of that office with more confidence than was seemly. He himself ((a))((a)) In his Trial in Westm. hall, printed in Aug. 1651. tells us “that when he was a Scholar in Oxon, and Master of Arts, he was the first Scholar that he knew of, or ever heard of in Oxon, that did publickly refuse in the Congregation house to subscribe unto those impositions, or Canons, imposed by the Archb. touching the Prelates and Common prayer. For which, tho they would not denie him his degree, yet he was expelled the congregation, never to sit as a member among them, &c.” About that time he left the University, went to, or near, London, and became a sedulous preacher up of treason and rebellion— “About the beginning of the Wars (saith ((b))((b)) Ibid. he) I was the first Minister that I knew of in England, who was accused of preaching treason and rebellion, meerly for maintaining in a Sermon, in Kent at Tenterden, the lawfulness of a defensive War, at the first breaking out and irruption of our troubles, &c” So that being then esteemed a leading man in the blessed cause, he became Preacher to the Garrison of Windsore castle, then under the command of Collonel John Venn. In which office he shewed him so violent against the King and his cause, that he was usually stiled by the Royalists Venns principal fireman at Windsore. This Venn, by the way it must be known, did, while Governour of that Castle, exercise very great cruelty against the Royalists that were Prisoners there; but being dismist of his employ and Col. Christopher Whitchcot put into his place, he retired to London, carried on the cause there with great zeal, was one of the Judges of K. Ch. 1. and at length hung himself in his chamber, as some say, others, that he died suddenly in his bed, on the 7 of July at night, or early next morning, an. 1650. In the year 1644, when the Commissioners from the King and Parliament met at Uxbridge to treat about peace, this our Author Love did very officiously put himself upon preaching before some of them, on the first day of their meeting, (Jan. 30) being the Market-day. In which his Sermon, full of dire, he vented many passages very scandalous to his Majesties Person, and derogatory to his honour, stirring up the People against the Treatie, and incensing them against the Kings Commissioners, telling the said People that they came with hearts full of blood, and that there was as great distance between the Treatie and Peace as between Heaven and Hell, or words to that effect, with divers other seditious passages against his Maj. and the Treaty. Whereupon the Commissioners belonging to the King, putting up their complaints to those of the Parliament, they represented the matter to the Lords and Commons assembled at Westminster, who thereupon, ((c))((c)) Merc. Aulicus Feb. 10. an. 1644. p. 1378. tho they could not with good conscience imprison Mr. Love, yet they did confine him; and where should it be, but to that very house where his Mistress then lived, whom for two years going before, he had wooed with prayers, sermons and ugly faces. After this he was made Minister of S. Anns Church near to Aldersgate, a Recruiter of the Assemb. of Divines, and at length Minister of the Church of S. Lawrence in the Jewry in London, which he kept till Oliver Cromwell paid the debt, and brought him to the Scaffold when he least looked for it, which was upon this account. After the Presbyterians had been gull’d of their King by the Independents, the prime heads of them were resolved to set up his Son Ch. 2. Whereupon he being invited from beyond the Seas into Scotland, and there had taken the Covenant and was crown’d, the Presbyterians in England plotted to bring him in among them, and to that end corresponded with him, and supplied him and his, with money contrary to an Act of Parliament, then lately made, in that case provided. These matters being discovered, our Author Love, Mr. Tho. Case, Mr. Will. Jenkyns, and other London Ministers, as also one Dr. Roger Drake, (a Physician as it seems) were by authority of the Council of State taken into custody about the 7. of May 1651, as being the chief Actors in the said treason, as they then called it. Soon after, it was resolved by the great Masters at Westminster, that Mr. Love the Minister, then Prisoner in the Tower, should be brought to his trial before the High Court of Justice on the 20. of June 1651, not for any matter of doctrine, as it was then given out, but for high treason as they said, and conspiracy against the common-wealth of England. He and the rest (as the Independent then said) had outstript the Jesuit both in practice and project, as having not only tamper’d with mens consciences in private, (beyond which the Jesuit doth very rarely venture) but preached open rebellion and treason with a full mouth in the Pulpit. On the said day he made his first appearance in order to his trial, and one Jackson a Minister (Arth. Jackson, as it seems) refusing then to give in evidence against him, was for his contempt fined 500 l. and committed Prisoner to the Fleet. The next day he appeared again, and, as ’twas then said by his enemies, in his carriage and behaviour he discover’d as much ridiculous impudence, equivocation and hypocrisie, as ever any Person did upon the like occasion, adding that in him you might have seen the true character of his faction, full of passion and spleen and void of all ingenuity. On the 25. and 27. days of the said month of June, he appeared again, and on the last of those two days he brought his counsel with him viz. Mr. Matthew Hale, Mr. John Archer, and Mr. Tho. Walter, but the two last, having not taken the Engagement, were not suffer’d to plead for him. At which time Mr. Love, as the Independent said, was full of malepert carriage, matchless impudence, obstinacy and impatiency. On the 5. of July he was condemned to be beheaded on Tower-hill on the 15 of the same month, but then several petitions being read in Parliament in his behalf, viz. one from divers Ministers, another from himself, and a third from his Wife, he was repriev’d till the 15. of Aug. following, and thence to the 22. of the same month. What farther may be said concerning his principles and profession, you shall have it from his own mouth ()() In his Trial beforementioned, and in his Speech on the Scaffold. which he spoke. When he was tried for his life, thus— “God is my witness, I never drove a malignant design, I never carried on a malignant interest, I detest both. I still retain my covenanting principles, from which, through the grace of God, I will never depart, for any terrour or perswasion whatsoever—I do retain as great a keeness, and shall whilst I live, and as strong an opposition against a malignant interest, whether in Scotland or in England, or in any part of the world, against the Nation where I live, and have to this day, as ever I did in former times—I have all along engaged my estate and life in the Parliaments quarrel against the forces raised by the King. I gave my all, and did not only deem it my duty to preach for the lawfulness of a defensive war, but (unless my books and wearing apparrel) I contributed all I had in the world—and tho my life is endeavoured to be taken away, yet for all that I repent not of what I have done—I have in my measure ventured my all, in the same quarrel that you were engaged in, and lifted up my hands in the same Covenant, that took sweet counsel together, and walked in fellowship one with another.—I die cleaving to all those Oathes, Vowes, Covenants and Protestations that were imposed by the two Houses of Parliament, as owning them, and dying with my judgment for them, to the protestation, the vow, and the covenant, the solemn league and covenant. And this I tell you all, that I had rather die a Covenant keeper, than live a Covenant breaker, &c.” As for his writings and works they are these.

The debauched Cavilier: or, the English Midianite: wherein are compared by way of parallel the carriage or rather miscarriage of the Cavaliers, &c. Lond. 1642. Which Pamphlet, tho ’tis but one sheet in quarto, yet forsooth he had a co-operator in writing it, and who should that be but one George Laurence of New Inn, as rank a Presbyterian as Love.

Englands distemper, having division and errour, as its cause; wanting peace and truth for its cure, &c. Serm. preached at Uxbridge 30. Jan. 1644. on Jerem. 33.6. Lond. 1645. qu.

His vindication from those scandalous aspersions cast upon him by the Malignant party, who charge him to be a hinderer of the treaty at Uxbridge, &c.—Printed with Englands Distemper, and by it self in one sh. in qu. at Lond. 1651.

Short and plain animadversions on some passages in Mr. Will. Dells Sermon preached before the H. of Commons, 25. Nov. 1646. on Heb. 9.10. Lond. 1646. and 47. qu. Which animadversions were replyed upon the same year by Dell. The reader is to note, that our Author Love preached the same day, being a solemn Fast, before the said H. of Commons; but his Sermon being much displeasing to the Independents, and malepert against the then proceedings of Parliament, he had neither thanks given him, or order to print it, but Dell, a Minister attending on his excellency Sir Tho. Fairfax, being encouraged to print his, netled Love so much, that he forthwith wrot the said animadversions.

Answer to an unlicensed Pamphlet annext to the Sermon, entit. A reply to Mr. Loves contradictions. Lond. 1647. oct. Which Reply to the contradictions of Mr. Loves Sermon, was written, as it seems, by Dell.

His case—Pr. 1651. qu. and thereupon followed soon after Quaeries upon it, but who wrot them I know not.

His vindication—Printed 1651. qu. pen’d by himself.

His Advocate—Pr. 1651. qu. pen’d, as I have been informed, by himself.

Several petitions to the Parl. in Jul. and Aug. Lond. 1651. qu.

A full narrative of the late dangerous designe against the state, &c. Lond. 1651. qu. This is said to be written by him, and by him sent to the Parl. Wherein he setteth down his several meetings and several actings with Major Alford, &c. Mr. Tho. Case, Mr. Tho. Cawton, Dr. Drake, Mr. Rich. Drake, Maj. Rob. Huntingdon, Mr. Will. Jenkyns, &c.

His Speech and Prayer on the Scaffold on Tower-hill, 22. Aug. 1651. Lond. 1651. qu. On which Sp. and Pr. were animadversions made and published by Anonymus, and on his decollation a Poem by Dr. Rob. Wild Rector of Ainoe in Northamptonshire intit. The tragedy of Christop. Love at Tower-hill. Lond. 1660 in one sh. in qu.

Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of the last 15 Sermons preached by him. Lond. 1652. in oct. there again 1654, and a third time in 1657. qu. The first Sermon is on 1. Kings 14. part of the 13. vers. published with an Epistle before them, subscribed by Edm. Calamy, Simeon Ash, Jerem. Whitaker and Will. Taylor, dated 13. Feb. 1634.

Sermon at the funeral of Mrs. B. being the last Sermon he ever preached, on Job 30.23.—Printed with the book of Grace beforemention’d.

Against the said Sermons were great complaints ((d))((d)) See The Beacons quenched, &c. Lond. 1652. qu. p. 14. made by divers Officers of the Army and other notorious Independents to the Parliament in 1652, thus—“several pamphlets have been lately published in vindication of Mr. Love, wherein they (the Presbyterians) account him a Martyr (as in the pref. to his Sermons) and charge the Parliament with injustice in putting him to death, &c. more particularly Mr. Edm. Calamy in his late Epistle before Mr. Loves Sermons; and his funeral Sermon hangs out a flag of defiance to the State, proclaiming Mr. Love to die in, and for the, Lord: And the Saints (meaning the Independents and Anabaptists) he calls Murtherers, Traytors, Rebels, Blasphemers, &c. and chargeth the highest sins to have ascended into Pulpits and Thrones, &c.” But upon examination, Mr. Calamy (as ’tis ((e))((e)) See The Beacon flaming with a non obstante. Lond. 1652. qu. p. 2. said) was not the Author of that Preface, but another, more violent than he.

Heavens glory, Hells terror: or, two treatises, the one concerning the glory of the Saints with Jesus Christ, as a spur to duty, in 10 Sermons. The other of the torments of the damned, as a preservative against security, in 8 Sermons. Lond. 1653. 58. qu.

Soules cordiall, in two treatises. Lond. 1653. oct.

Treatise of effectual calling and election, in 16 Sermons on 2. Pet. 1.10. Lond. 1653. qu. ibid. 1658. oct. This treatise hath an Epist. commend. before it, subscribed by E. Calamy, Jerem. Whitaker, Simeon Ash, Will. Taylor and Allen Geere.

Scripture rules to be observed in buying and selling. Lond. 1653. on one side of a sh. of paper.

The true doctrine of mortification and sincerity, in opposition to hypocrisie. Lond. 1654. in oct.

Combate between the flesh and the spirit; as also the woful withdrawing of the spirit of God, with the causes thereof, &c. being the sum and substance of 27 Sermons. Lond. 1654. 58. qu. Ded. by Will. Taylor to Edw. Bradshaw Mayor of Chester, and the Epist. to the reader is subscrib’d by E. Calamy, S. Ash, and Jer. Whitaker, beforemention’d.

Sum or substance of practical Divinity: or, the grounds of religion in a catechistical way. Lond. 1654. in tw.

Christians directory, tending to direct him in the various conditions that God hath cast him into, in 15 Sermons. Lond. 1654 and 58 qu. The Epist. to the Reader is subscrib’d by Calamy, Ash, Taylor and Geere before mention’d, all Presbyterians.

The dejected Soules cure, tending to support poor drooping sinners, &c in divers sermons. Lond. 1657. qu.

The ministry of the Angels to the heirs of Salvation. Or, a treatise of Angels. Lond. 1657. qu.

Of the Omnipresence of God, in several sermons, began 13 May 1649, and ended 3 June following. Lond. 1657. qu.

The sinners Legacy to their posterity, on Lam. 5.8. Lond. 1657. qu.

These four last books have an Epist. commend. before them, subscribed by Calamy, Ash, and Taylor before mentioned, as also by Will. Whitaker, Math. Poole and Jos. Church, Presbyterians.

The penitent pardon’d. A Treatise wherein is handled the duty of confession of sin, and the privilege of the pardon of sin. Lond. 1657. qu.

Discourse of Christs ascension into heaven, and of his coming again from heaven, wherein the opinion of the Chiolists is considered and solidly confuted. Lond. 1657. qu. This, with The penitent pardoned, &c. is the substance of several Sermons: Both published by Calamy, Ash, Taylor, and Will. Whitaker before mention’d.

The natural mans case stated: or, an exact map of the little world, Man, in 17 sermons. Lond. 1658. oct. These are all the things that he hath extant, as I conceive, and therefore I have nothing more to say, only that he was beheaded on Tower-hill on the 22 of August in sixteen hundred fifty and one.1651. Whereupon his body being afterwards carried to his house, and there reposited for a time, was buried, with great lamentation by the Brethren, on the north side of the Chancel belonging to the Church of S. Laurence in the Jewry before mention’d: At which time Mr. Tho. Manton one of the chief Presbyterians in London preached his Funeral Sermon, which was afterwards made publick. It was observed by many, and looked upon as miraculous by the Brethren, that when the members of the Rump Parliament had passed their votes for his death, did happen one of the most terrible thunder claps that was ever heard. Also that that day on which he suffer’d, was seen a most clear sky; but soon after his death, which was about two of the clock in the afternoon, the sky began to thicken, and at last was envelop’d in a black and dismal Cloud, and all that night and till the next morning, such thunder, lightning and tempest hapned, as if the machine of the world had been dissolving. This was the observation of the Presbyterian, who stuck not to say thereupon that God was angry at these things that had passed, &c. Yet the Independent, Anabaptist, and others, made another construction of the matter, which was published soon after in the common Mercury called Politicus, viz. “That on the 22 of Aug. the old Tyrant (Ch. 1.) did first erect his Standard at Nottingham, and then Mr. Love and his Brethren did well to cry it down. But it being down, and themselves not set up (as they expected) then they deserted their first principles, and cryed up his son; whose interest (however disguised) is the same with his fathers; and he, by their instigation making way into England, entred and erected his Standard at Worcester also, upon the 22 of Aug. 1651: upon which very day likewise it was, that Mr. Love, who having help’d to beat down the old malignant Standard, and then turning Apostate to set up the new one, lost his head upon Tower-hill, as a just judgment of God for his implacable Apostacy and Enmity, and for a terror to all the men of his Confederacy, &c.” At the same time, and upon the same Scaffold, was beheaded Mr. Jo. Gibbons engaged in the same plot; but as for others engaged therein and to be brought to their tryal, viz. Col. Joseph Vaughan sometimes a Leather-seller in London, Lieut. Col. ..... Jackson, Capt. Hugh Massey (brother to Maj. Gen. Edw. Massey) Dr. Drake, Mr. Th. Case, Mr. Arthur Jackson, Mr. W. Jenkyns Minister of Ch. Church in London, Mr. Th. Watson, Mr. Ralph Robinson, Mr. Rich. Heyrick, &c. were upon the motion of a certain noble person pardoned for Life and Estate, and freed both from Sequestration and Imprisonment.