A88575:224
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.
Animadversions › Section 9, 10, 11, 12: ANIMAD. upon Sect. 9, 10, 11, 12.
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.
Whereas they are charged to use their Power with cruelty, this is so broadfac'd a calumny, that nothing need be said for their vindication from it: Magistrates are not therefore cruel, because they carry not the sword in vain, or because, being Ministers of God to take vengeance on evil doers, they fulfil their Ministry in this kind: Cruelty would be much more truly and justly chargeable upon them, in case they should carry the sword in vain, and suffer evil doers, Traitors, Incendiaries, Disturbers of States and Commonwealths, &c. to pass unpunished: And therefore, unless Mr. Love could either have produced some better ground for his charge of Cruelty against the State then his own sufferings, or else have evicted, not only the many evidences brought against him as an evil doer, but his own confessions also in this behalf, he had provided much better for his honour and conscience too, by leaving this charge to be levied by some son of Belial, who hath neither honour nor conscience to pollute.
Whereas they are charged to use their Power with cruelty, this is so broadfac'd a calumny, that nothing need be said for their vindication from it: Magistrates are not therefore cruel, because they carry not the sword in vain, or because, being Ministers of God to take vengeance on evil doers, they fulfil their Ministery in this kinde: Cruelty would be much more truly and justly chargeable upon them, in case they should carry the sword in vain, and suffer evil doers, Traytors, Incendiaries, Disturbers of States and Commonwealths, &c. to pass unpunished: And therefore, unless Mr. Love could either have produced some better ground for his charge of Cruelty against the State then his own sufferings, or else have evicted, not onely the many evidences brought against him as an evil doer, but his own confessions also in this behalf, he had provided much better for his honor and conscience too, by leaving this charge to be levied by some son of Belial, who hath neither honor nor conscience to pollute.
Whereas he undertakes to Prophesy, That those in Power will lose it with Ignominy; it is well for them, that as the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God, so neither doth the righteousness of God accomplish the wrath of man: But upon what account doth Mr. Love prophesy this hard prediction against the State? If God revealed it unto him, certainly it is a new light, and himself in the sequel of this Speech chargeth us to take heed of believing new Lights; it may be because himself had no more, whither wisdom or grace, then to lose his Ministry with Ignominy, therefore measuring those in Power by himself, he conceived that neither would they have any more, then to lose their Ministry also upon the same terms: But I trust, the persons whom he ignominiously destroys with his prophecy, will by wisdom and faithfulness destroy the credit of his prophecy, and preserve themselves in Power with Honour whilst they live, and leave it with honour to their Successors at their death: It is most like that Mr. Love adventured his Reputation on this prophecy, upon a confidence, That his Reputation amongst unworthy persons was such, that rather then they would suffer him, though dead, to lie under the disgrace of a false Prophet, themselves would make him a true, by tracing his steps in seeking to dst them with Ignominy of their Power. The seed which he had sown, both formerly in his life, and now at his death, he conceived was too spirituous and pregnant to rot under the clod, and that therefore he might be bold to prophesy the springing up of it after his death.