LOVE. 119 invitation to become lecturer at St. Ann's, Aldersgate ; hut the Bishop of London opposed his settlement, and for three years refused his allowance. Mr. Love's popularity exaspe- rated the minds of his enemies, and he no sooner entered upon his public ministry, than he was silenced from preaching. He had, indeed, certain conscientious scruples against the ordination of the church of England, and, therefore, went into Scotland, with a view to have obtained presbyterian ordi- nation; but there he met with a disappointment. That church had decreed to ordain none besides those who should settle among them ; nevertheless, large offers were made to him, in addition to ordination, if he would have continued in the north. On his return from Scotland, he was invited by the aldermen and other worthy persons of Newcastle, to preach for them on a Lord's day ; and, in his sermon in the afternoon, he openly expressed his sentiments against the errors in the Book of Common Prayer, and the superstitious ceremonies in the national church. For this, he was imme- diately committed to the common gaol, a most filthy place, among thieves andmurderers, having nothing but straw to lie upon. During his confinement, the people flocked to the prison; and not being admitted to his company, he preached to them through the grates of the prison. Afterwards, his friends being allowed to go into the prison they cleaned it for his comfort, and there he preached to all who came, and was made remarkably useful. Having suffered confinement for some time, he was removed to London, and tried in the court of king's-bench, and acquitted. About the com- mencement of the national troubles, for maintaining in his sermon the lawfulness of defensive war, in certain cases, against the civil magistrate, he was accused of treason and rebellion, but was publicly acquitted, with the recovery of damages.. During the wars, Mr. Love was chosen to be preacher to the garrison of Windsor, then under the command of Colonel John Venn; on which account the royalists nick-named him " Venn's principal fireman at Windsor." Notwithstanding this foul calumny,his ministeriallabours weregreatly esteemed, even by thosewho differed from him in matters of ceremony ; and, our author adds, " I am bold to say, that no man was more generally beloved than he was, and, I believe, as great a seal was set unto his ministry as God doth usually set to the Sloane's MSS. No. 3945.-Mr. Love's Trial, p. 68. Edit. 1651.
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