A88596:18
The true and perfect speec [sic] of Mr. Christopher Love on the scaffold on…
The true and perfect speec [sic] of Mr. Christopher Love on the scaffold on Tower-Hill on Friday last, being the two and twentieth day of this instant August, 1651. Comprising his funeral sermon; his exhortation to the citizen his propositions touching religion; and his prayer immediately before his head was severed from his body. Together with Mr. Gibbons his speech; and the manner of his deportment, carriage, and resolution: published for the good of the Common-wealth of England.The true and perfect speec [sic] of Mr. Christopher Love on the scaffold on Tower-Hill on Friday last, being the two and twentieth day of this instant August, 1651. Comprizing his funerall sermon; his exhortation to the citizen his propositions touching religion; and his prayer immediately before his head was severed from his body. Together with Mr. Gibbons his speech; and the manner of his deportment, carriage, and resolution: published for the good of the Common-wealth of England.
London: printed by John Clowes, 1651London: printed by Iohn Clowes, 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.
I would beg but […] of them as they have not been ashamed of my chains, so now that they would wax confident by my bonds and blo•d, Acts. 29. Now Lord behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy Servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, though I am but young I will offer my young experience to my grave Fathers and Brethren, now I am to d•e I have abundance of peace in my own Conscience, that I have set my […] against sin and apostasy by purchasing •ll will from such, I have procured peace from God, I have lived •• pe•••, and I shall die in peace, the Government of the Church, will stand: and of all […] with this persuasion, that the Presbyterian Government makes most for purity and unity throughout the Churches of the Saints: take heed of too general admissions to the Lords Supper, and be not to prodigal of the blood of Christ. Now speaking to them I shall speak a word of them, and so finish, Many […] there, as if all the City Ministers did engage in this design; for which I a• now condemned as a dying man; I tell you, all the Ministers that were present at the meeting, •or had any hand in that business, they are either in prison or discovered already: therefore upon my death, I free all the Ministers else, and in which my conscience doth tell me I have not sinned: I have done immediately; for I would fain be at my Fathers house: I would speak to my own Congregation, to give praise to God for them, and to return thanks to them; for they have afforded me a great deal of love (except a few) and liberal maintenance: This is all I desire of them to choose a Learned, Godly, and Orthodox Minister to succeed; and it would be a great comfort to me before I go to Heaven if such a one filled the place; where he shall have a good livelihood, and much love; I had never parted from them, but that Death separated me; to which I do submit with all Christian-meekness, and cheerfulness: I am now drawing to an end of my Speech, and to an end of my Life together: But before I expire my last breath, I come to justify God, and condemn my self; for God is righteous, because I have sinned, though he doth cut me off in the midst of my days, and of my Ministry; I cannot take up that complaint in the 44 Psalm, That thou sellest thy people for nought: My blood shall not be spilt for nought;