LOVE. 125 whom was Mr. Love, who not only contributed himself, but carried about a paper to encourage others. This was con- sidered by the counsel of the commonwealth as sufficient to bring Mr. Love within the ordinance of July 1, 1649, which declares, " That if any persons shall procure, invite, aid, or assist any foreigners or strangers to invade England or Ire- land ; or shall adhere to any forces raised by the enemies of the parliament or commonwealth, or keepers of the liberties of England; all such persons shall be deemed and adjudged guilty of high treason."* In his defence, Mr. Love behaved with too much freedom and boldness and set too high a value upon his ministerial character, which the court was inclined to treat with neglect. He objected to the witnesses, who were forced into the service to save their own lives ; and observed, that as to several of the facts attempted to be proved against him, there was only one witness; and that some of them had sworn falsely, or at least their memories had failed them in some things, which was no wonder after so long a time. Hecalled for no witness to disprove the evidence ; but in his defence said, " None of the witnesses swear that I ever desired, per- suaded, or directed any person to write any letter, to any persons whose names are mentioned in the charges, or to any person in or of the Scots' nation : or that ever any letter was written in my house; but only that letters supposed to be come from, or sent to Scotland, were read there, which I do not deny : or that I ever did so much as read a letter in my house, or, elsewhere, that was supposed to come from the Scots, or pretended to be sent into Scotland : or, that I ever gave my particular consent to sending any letter : or, that I ever collected one penny of money for the king, or for the Scots, or for anyperson in Scotland : or, that I ever invited any person, or foreign force, to invade either England or Ireland, as I am expressly charged: or, finally, that I ever plotted, contrived, or endeavoured to raise forces, tumults, or insurrections within this nation, and against the present government."t Towards the close of his defence, he confessed that there had been several meetings--at his- house ; and that a com- mission had been read there ; but that he utterly dissented from it. He acknowledged further, that he was present at the reading of letters, or of some parts of them : " But," says he, " I was ignorant of the danger- that I now see I am - Love', Trial, p. 15-15. 4 p. 54.
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