‎LOVE, CHRISTOPHER‎
‎Grace, the truth and growth, and different degrees thereof (+) Heavens glory, Hells terror (+) A treatise of effectuall calling and election (+) The combate between the flesh and spirit (+) The Christians directory : tending to guide him (...).‎

‎London, Rothwell, 1657 & 1658. 4to. In contemporary full calf with four raised bands. Small paper-label pasted on to top of spine. Light wear to extremities, lower part of front hinge split. Dampstain to lower margin of first half of the book, not touching the text. Light occassional soiling but generally nice and clean. (8), 139, (5) (4), 234, (6) (4), 218, (6) (8), 338, (4) (4), 134, (6) pp. With seperate title-page to each work (included in the collation). ‎

Reference : 61056

‎An interesting sammelband consisting of five later editions, presumably all second edition, of Love’s works, all printed by John Rothwell as were the first editions. His sermons were published, after his death, under the sponsorships of the leading Presbyterians of London and his most important of his works are the once presented here. Love’s works are rarely found in the trade. Love (1618-1651), a Welsh Presbyterian preacher and activist during the English Civil War. After taking the master's degree he was obliged to leave Oxford for refusing to subscribe Archbishop Laud's canons. He went to London and became domestic chaplain to the sheriff, and took a bold stand against the errors of the Book of Common Prayer and the religious tyranny of the times. He was cast into prison on account of an aggressive sermon at Newcastle, and in various ways persecuted in London. “Love was arrested on May 14, 1652, by Oliver Cromwell’s forces for alleged involvement with the Presbyterians of Scotland who were raising money for the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II. Love denied the charge, but he was tried and convicted of treason for what has become known as “Love’s plot.” Love’s wife and numerous friends, including several prominent ministers in London, interceded on his behalf, but to no avail. Ardent republican Independents were determined to destroy him. Love was beheaded on Tower Hill, London, on August 22, 1651, at the age of thirty-three. Presbyterians were divided on the issue. Some were incensed, and regarded Love as a heroic martyr. Others were less sympathetic to Love’s cause. In the end, the Scots and some English, like Love, were badly deceived by Charles II’s supposed adherence to the “Covenant.” (Beeke, Meet the Puritans).‎