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Christopher Love
Christopher Love (1618 – August 22, 1651) was a Welsh Presbyterian preacher and martyr whose ministry during the English Civil War left a significant mark on Puritan history. Born in Cardiff, Wales, to Christopher Love Sr. and an unnamed mother, he was the youngest of several children in a middle-class family. At age 14, he attended a sermon by William Erbery, which led to his conversion, sparking a rift with his father, who opposed his religious zeal and sent him to apprentice in London. Supported by his mother and Erbery, he instead studied at New Inn Hall, Oxford, earning a B.A. in 1639, though he was expelled before completing his M.A. due to his refusal to subscribe to Archbishop Laud’s canons of 1640. Love’s preaching career began in London, where he served as chaplain to Sheriff John Warner, marrying Warner’s ward, Mary Stone, in 1641, with whom he had five children—two daughters who died young and three sons, the last born posthumously. Denied ordination by the Church of England, he preached at St. Anne’s, Aldersgate, and later sought Presbyterian ordination in Scotland, only to return to England in 1641 and face imprisonment for denouncing the Book of Common Prayer. Ordained in 1644 at Aldermanbury Church, he became pastor of St. Lawrence Jewry and preached during the First English Civil War, serving as chaplain to Colonel John Venn’s regiment at Windsor Castle. Arrested in 1651 for alleged involvement in the “Love Plot” to fund Charles II’s restoration, he was convicted of treason despite denying the charges and executed on Tower Hill at age 33, leaving a legacy of over 20 published works, including The Christian’s Duty and Safety in Evil Times.
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Christopher Love, a devoted Presbyterian minister, faced many challenges and hardships in his life, including difficulties with ordination and political arrests. Despite these trials, Love remained steadfast in his faith and commitment to his beliefs. His dedication to teaching theology and catechizing children exemplifies his passion for spreading the Word of God. Love's ultimate sacrifice of being beheaded for a charge he denied showcases his unwavering faith and loyalty to his principles.
Biographical Sketch
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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Christopher Love (1618 – August 22, 1651) was a Welsh Presbyterian preacher and martyr whose ministry during the English Civil War left a significant mark on Puritan history. Born in Cardiff, Wales, to Christopher Love Sr. and an unnamed mother, he was the youngest of several children in a middle-class family. At age 14, he attended a sermon by William Erbery, which led to his conversion, sparking a rift with his father, who opposed his religious zeal and sent him to apprentice in London. Supported by his mother and Erbery, he instead studied at New Inn Hall, Oxford, earning a B.A. in 1639, though he was expelled before completing his M.A. due to his refusal to subscribe to Archbishop Laud’s canons of 1640. Love’s preaching career began in London, where he served as chaplain to Sheriff John Warner, marrying Warner’s ward, Mary Stone, in 1641, with whom he had five children—two daughters who died young and three sons, the last born posthumously. Denied ordination by the Church of England, he preached at St. Anne’s, Aldersgate, and later sought Presbyterian ordination in Scotland, only to return to England in 1641 and face imprisonment for denouncing the Book of Common Prayer. Ordained in 1644 at Aldermanbury Church, he became pastor of St. Lawrence Jewry and preached during the First English Civil War, serving as chaplain to Colonel John Venn’s regiment at Windsor Castle. Arrested in 1651 for alleged involvement in the “Love Plot” to fund Charles II’s restoration, he was convicted of treason despite denying the charges and executed on Tower Hill at age 33, leaving a legacy of over 20 published works, including The Christian’s Duty and Safety in Evil Times.