A88575:132
Mr. Love's case
Mr. Love's case: wherein is published, first, his several petitions to the Parliament. Secondly, a full narrative of the late dangerous design against the state, written with Mr. Loves own hand, and by him sent to the Parliament; wherein he setteth down his several meetings and secret actings with Major Alford, Maj. Adams, Col. Barton, Mr. Blackmore, Mr. Case, Mr. Cauton, Dr. Drake, Mr. Drake, Cap. Far, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Haviland, Major Huntington, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Jaquel, Mr Jackson, Lieut. Col. Jackson, Cap. Massey, Mr. Nalton, Cap. Potter, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sterks, Colonel Sowton, Colonel Vaughan, and others. Thirdly, Mr. Loves speech and prayer on the scaffold on Tower Hill, August 22. 1651. Printed by an exact copy, taken in short-hand by John Hind. Fourthly, animadversions on the said speech and prayer.Mr. Love's case: wherein is published, first, his several petitions to the Parliament. Secondly, a full narrative of the late dangerous design against the state, written with Mr. Loves own hand, and by him sent to the Parliament; wherein he setteth down his several meetings and secret actings with Major Alford, Maj. Adams, Col. Barton, Mr. Blackmore, Mr. Case, Mr. Cauton, Dr. Drake, Mr. Drake, Cap. Farr, Mr. Gibbons, Mr. Haviland, Major Huntington, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Jaquel, Mr Jackson, Lieut. Col. Jackson, Cap. Massey, Mr. Nalton, Cap. Potter, Mr. Robinson, Mr. Sterks, Colonel Sowton, Colonel Vaughan, and others. Thirdly, Mr. Loves speech and prayer on the scaffold on Towerhil, August 22. 1651. Printed by an exact copy, taken in short-hand by John Hinde. Fourthly, animadversions on the said speech and prayer.
London: printed for R.W. and Peter Cole, 1651
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Mr. Love's Speech made on the Scaffold on Tower-Hill, August 22. 1651. › Section 21
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
SECT. XXI.
I have something in the next place to speak to the godly Ministry of this City, were it not that I were a dying man, I would not speak to such reverend and grave men; I would, as Elihu being but a young man, I would say, Multitudes of years should teach wisdom, and I would hold my tongue; but the words of a ⟨p. 24⟩dying man take, whether they be discreet or no, or so well ordered and managed or no; for them, I would first desire God to show them mercy, they that have begged for mercy for me at the day of my death, I will beg but this of them, That as they have not been ashamed of my Chain, so they would now wax confident by my Bonds and by my Blood; I know they are maligned and threatened, yet my Prayer is for them, that in Acts 4. 29. Now Lord, behold their threatenings, and grant that thy Servants may Preach thy word with all boldness: Though I am but young, yet I will offer my young experience to my grave Fathers and Brethren, and that is this; Now I am to dye, I have abundant peace in my own Conscience, that I have set my self against the Sins and Apostasies of this present Age: It is true, my faithfulness hath procured me ill will from men, but it hath purchased me peace with God, I have lived in peace, and I shall dye in peace: That which I have to beseech of the Ministers, is this, To beg them to keep up Church-Government: Whatsoever God doth with the Governments of the world, turning Kingdoms upside down, yet the Government of the Church will stand; And of all Governments, I dye with this persuasion, That the Presbyterial Government makes most for Purity and Unity throughout the Churches of the Saints: I would beg them therefore to keep up Church-Government; That they would not let their Elderships fall; That they would take heed of too general Admissions to the Lords-Supper; That they be not too prodigal of the Blood of Christ, by too general Admissions of men to partake of the Supper, that Sealing Ordinance: And now I am speaking to them, I shall speak a word of them, and so I have done.