LOVE. agreement with the master, and even paid the stipulated premium : but young Love was exceedingly averse to the situation, and earnestly entreated his father to send him to Oxford. Though his father consented to his wishes, he did it in displeasure, withholding his pecuniary aid ; and, during his abode at the university, he was supported partly by his mother, and partly by Mr. Erbery. Hewho was appointed to endure many troubles, began thus to bear the yoke in his youth. Upon his arrival at Oxford, not knowing any person in the place, nor whom to choose for his tutor, as he sat by the fire at the inn, there came several young scholars, whose discourse was wholly against the puritans, railing against them, and cursing them, especially one Mr. Rogers, whom they stigmatized an arch-puritan, and declared there was none other besides him who was head of any house in Oxford. Having heard what they had to say, he resolved =to make some further inquiries concerning this Mr. Rogers, hoping that he was just such a tutor as he wanted; and after gaining satisfactory information, he intrusted himself to his care and tuition. While at the university, Mr. Love had but little to subsist upon ; but he was careful of what he received, and extremely provident of his time, making suitable improvement in his studies. He sought the acquaintance of religious persons, who, in those times of danger, were particularly cautious whom they admitted into their society. He enjoyed, how- ever, little or no comfort for several years. God seemed to keep at a distance from him, which caused him to sigh and mourn. The remembrance of his former misspent life was to him a source of constant and bitter lamentation. In the midst of these painful conflicts, he walked as in the valley of the shadow of death. The terrors of death and hell com- passed him about, and the thoughts of God made him afraid. The apprehensions of death were an astonishment to him. Under these afflictive terrors and convictions, he desired to live, as he used to say, " that he might have a little longer respite out of hell." Having little or no hope of escaping futuremisery, he feared that every step he took would launch him into endless torment. Thewaves and billows passed over his soul, and hadhe not been supported by the grace of Christ, he would have been overwhelmed in the mighty storm. Amidst all these painful conflicts, he lifted up his heart to God in devout prayer and supplication, and was at length enabled by faith to look within the vail, and obtain a glimpse of God, as a father and a friend, through Jesus Christ. He chose rather
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