A88575:201
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.
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.
ANIMAD. upon Sect. 4.
In this Section we have a most worthy and Christian Profession, as far as the interest of words can lightly contribute towards it. O that there had been an heart in the Professor to have given a real account of Truth in this his verbal Profession. But alas! The same Fountain, though not out of the same hole, which sends forth these sweet Waters here, sends forth most bitter Waters elsewhere, as we have tasted in part, and may taste further afterwards. Doth Mr. Love think that either God or men, will judge such a man to be free from all rancour, all bitterness of spirit, a revengeful heart, that he hath forgiven from his heart his worst enemies, &c. Who loveth all words that may do them mischief, who cuts them with his Tongue as with a sharp Razor, who spits out of his mouth the poison of Asps in their very Faces, and at the time of his going out of the world, is more intent and bent in his spirit (as far as a reasonable estimate can be made) to leave them an inheritance of Hatred, Ignominy, Trouble, and of all manner of mischiefs, and evil entreaties from the world, then upon any other design whatsoever? whereas he seems desirous to disparage his Enemies (as he calls them) in comparison of himself in this, That though they denied mercy unto him, yet he had begged mercy for them; and though they would not forgive him, yet he had forgiven them; the truth is, That even this also is no better then a slander: For upon what ground could he judg, That they had not as well begged mercy for him, as he for them? Or did they therefore deny him mercy, or not forgive him, because they executed the Laws of God, with the execution whereof they were entrusted? I believe they forgave him in such a sense as he forgave them; and if so, they forgave him much more then he them. I presume Mr. Love forgave them only such debts as they had contracted by injuring him, not what they had contracted by sinning against God: If so, then all that Mr. Love forgave them, amounts to nothing at all; and this by his own confession (a little before) who acknowledged the Justice of their proceedings against him: Therefore if they forgave him (as I presume in charity they did) the debt which he had contracted by injuring them, their forgiveness of him was much more Christian ⟨p. 40⟩