Right Re-entered, Title page – To the reader
Right Re-entred, AND THE REASONS THEREOF RENDERED: IN The plain, yet modest Apology of Zach. Crofton Minister of the Gospel at Buttolphs Aldgate LONDON.
For his Return to the exercise of his Ministry in his own Church, at the usual hours of publick Worship on the Lords Daies Afternoon.
In the which hee hath been for a season obstructed by Mr. John Sympson.
Luke 4.16 As his custome was, hee went into the Synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read.
Inauditum si damnent, praeter invidiam iniquitatis, etiam suspitionem merebuntur alicujus conscientiae, nolentes audire, quod auditum damnare non possunt. Tertul. Apolog.
Entred according to Order.
LONDON, Printed for James Nuthall, and are to bee sold at his house in the Minories next door to the D lphin, and likewise at Book-se…ers shops. 1657.
To the Reader.
Courteous Reader,
THou mayest well wonder that I cannot Re-assume my Right without an Apology, whilst I am thereunto restored, by the present settlement of the Commonwealth in a way of Law and Justice, and encouraged, by the example of a Reverend Congregational Brother my very next neighbour, repossessing the command of his Church, against the election of the people, and concurrence of his own consent to a sober and stable man: But much more mayest thou wonder, my Apology is made thus publick; and if thus thou doest, Concerning the first, all that I have to say is, Bewail the evil of the times, which make real, or the trembling spirits of men which imagine the truth of the Proverb, Some men may better steal a horse, than others look over the hedge, and layeth a necessity on some men, to enjoy their own just priviledge, with a by your leave.
To the second, I desire thee to consider, I have to do with clamorous persons, who getting the first word, hold on, and make male interpretations of the best actions; which to prevent, I thought good to give this account to the world, that when they speak to the disturbance of my friends, they may have in readiness something to answer.
Moreover, Mine enemies (I know) are very ready to represent my just action to bee a contempt of supreme power, and do proudly boast of their access to, and acceptance in all things with the Lord Protector, and his Councell; as if the Swords point were the onelyonly Key to open, not onelyonly a passage to, but the pleasure of his Highness; and have often openly declared, that I shall never have audience or acceptance.
Now although I am convinced, that these are brags groundless, inconsistent to his Highness Justice and Wisdome, and greatly scandalous to his Government: And this action is a business much below the Cognizance of such who are imployed in the publick affairs of the Commonwealth; yet (if they shall please to stoop so low as to inquire into this act) that by these papers I may possibly press into their presence, and give some short account of the reasons enforcing my conscience thereunto, desire the defence of my just priviledge, or to bee legally and judicially deprived of it: I have strained modesty, to present to thee, these ensuing Lines, desiring thee to read without passion, or prejudice, making the case thine own, then condemn if thou canst, him, who hath committed his cause to God, and makes his appeal to Justice: And is
Thine in the Work of the Lord, ZACH. CROFTON.