Christopher Love (1618-1651) was a fiery and practical Puritan preacher. His works consist of some of the best written and preached biblical expositions in the English language.This volume is a spiritual treat, in that, it has never been published since the time Love's executors distributed it in 1653. To have this particular volume in print is exciting in that it houses the very last of Christopher Love's available works for publication. The Christian has a number of duties to follow at Christ's command living in such evil days. The matter of these works is wholesome, seasonable, with a great savor of Love's gracious spirit. He manifests to the world the workings both of his heart and life, being zealously devoted to the service of Christ, and the Christian soul. He covers: SERMON 1: Christ's Prayer the Saint's Support on John 17:15.SERMON 2: A Divine Balance to Weigh All Doctrines By on 1 Thess. 5:21.SERMON 3: A Christian's Great Enquiry on Acts 16:30-31.SERMON 4: A Description of True Blessedness on Luke 11:28.ANNEXED: Edmund Calamy's sermon, The Saint's Rest, or Their Happy Sleep in Death on Acts 7:60.Endeavor earnestly to make a spiritual improvement of these topics which have been put by divine providence in you your hand. And let the Lord be magnified in your conversation for all that soul-advantage which you may receive. Labor to be well rooted in the truths of the Gospel, in order to bear up courageously against the evil of these deceiving times. And because so many shamefully disgrace their profession, by their carnal self-seeking, and apostasy, therefore, you should rather hold forth the power of godliness in the ways of self-denial, and faith, to the honor of Christ.This work is not a scan or facsimile, has been carefully transcribed by hand being made easy to read in modern English, and has an active table of contents for electronic versions
Rev. Christopher Love was born in Cardiff, Wales in 1618. He was converted at the age of 15 and attended New Inn Hall, Oxford, against the wishes of his father, but supported by his minister and mother. While at Oxford, Love was tutored by Dr. Christopher Rogers, a man with Strong Puritan leanings.
Love pastored in London after several short stops along the way. Before he assumed the pastorate of St. Lawrence Jewry in London, Love catechized and taught theology to the children of the sheriff of London. He married Mary Stone, the daughter of a London merchant, whom he met while they were both employed by Sheriff Warner. They had five children, two girls who died early in life, and three boys, the last who was born a week after Love's death. Love, a Presbyterian, obtained ordination in the Church of England after much difficulty. He would have had it easily in Scotland, but not without leaving England to live in Scotland, which he was loathe to do.
Because of his political leanings and involvements, he was arrested by Oliver Cromwell's forces for his alleged involvement with a plan to raise money for the restoration of the monarchy, a charge Love denied. He was arrested along with six other prominent ministers in London (all Presbyterians, the venerable Thomas Watson being the most noted), for treason. The rest were released after six months; Love was beheaded on Tower Hill, London on August 22, 1651.
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