Malice Against Ministry, Account
MALICE againſt MINISTRIE MANIFESTED. By The modeſt Plea and Defence of ZACH. CROFTON unto the falſe and frivolous Charge againſt him exhibited unto the Worſhipful and Reverend, The Commiſſioners for ejection of Ignorant, Scandalous and Inſufficient Miniſters within the City of London, by John Levet, and Tho. Harriſon, and other their anti-miniſterial Confederates in the Pariſh of Botolphs Aldgate: as it was prepared, and purpoſed to be declared at the Guild-hall on Wedneſday, the 2 of Decemb 1657
I Am here convened before you, under the Notion of a Scandalous man in life and converſation; and on that account to be ejected out of the Miniſtry. The Miniſtrie of the Goſpel I know to be ſo ſacred a Function of approach to God, as that Holineſſe ſhould adorn the ſubjects of it: A Miniſters practice I well know is ſo obvious to the peoples view, that he that is prophane, muſt needs unprofitably preach the Word of Holineſs: it hath ever been a Petition in my Lerany, From an ignorant and profane Miniſtry, the ſcandal of Chriſtianity, Good Lord deliver us. And on that account I have in my lateA Book ſo called. Right Re-entred declared to all the world, and told mine enemies, I am ſo zealous for a pious Miniſtry, that let me but have juſt Judges, judicial Proceſs, and faithful Witneſs, and if I be found guilty of a ſcandalous converſation, let me be caſt out as unſavory ſalt; for though I cannot bear recrimination, as the anſwer of my Right yet I deſire not to retain forfeited priviledges, the forfeiture being regularly demanded. Hereupon the enemies of my Miniſtry having loudly clamoured, that I was a perſon vile and ſcandalous, and that they may audactèr calumniare, reproach with impudence, not doubting, but that though they miſs their deſign, they may with ſo much impudence make ſome dirt to ſtick. To this end they have exhibited a charge in ſundry Articles againſt me, unto which I now appear to give this enſuing anſwer.
Articles exhibited againſt Mr. Zachary Crofton of Buttolphs Aldgate, London, To his Highneſs the Lord Protector and Council, by John Levet of the ſaid Pariſh.
I. AT his firſt coming into the Pariſh, ſome difference fell betwixt him and the Inhabitants, wherupon the Church Wardens and ſome others, went up to him in the Veſtry-houſe, where he queſtioned the Church Wardens and ſome others, why they had brought ſo many of the inhabitants thither, and told them, That he deſired but twenty or thirty of the names of the chief of the Pariſh to conſult withall, whereupon M. John Farmantle, then Conſtable, asked him, What he would do with the names of thoſe perſons that he knew not? then the ſaid Crofton replyed, What is that to you if I conſult with the Divel to know what they are. Whereupon William Turner, then Conſtable, anſwered him, If you have ſo much familiarity with the Divel, you are no fit Parſon for us. And the ſaid Crofton replied, What have you to do with that? or words to that effect.
II. M. Sabine (one of M. Croftons friends) ſaith, That a little time after M. Crofton came to preach at Aldgate, asked of him, By what power he came thither? and he anſwered him, By my Lord Protectors. Then ſaid M Sabine, Why then obſerve ye not his Highneſs Orders, concerning the dayes of Faſting, and dayes of Thankſgiving, and praying for his Highneſs? M. Crofton anſwered him, An honeſt man may receive a courteſie of a Thief upon the high way, or words to that purpoſe.
III. Some of the pariſh being given to underſtand that M. Crofton had been at Whitehal with a Petition to his Highneſs, deſiring as they were informed to have a hearing of the buſineſſe concerning his uncivil behaviour uſed towards his maid, upon which two of the Common-Council men, and another perſon went to the houſe of the ſaid M. Crofton to give him an account that he had been (as they underſtood) with M. Maline, and clamourd them againſt them, upon which the ſaid perſons told him, They were ready and willing to make good whatſoever they had ſaid againſt him; and in order thereunto were reſolved to Petition his Highneſs for a hearing, upon which the ſaid Crofton replied, The Protector was no competent Judge, for that he had prejudged him already, in giving away half his Pulpit to M. Simpſon. And further, ſaid, He was an unrighteous Judge, for he that ſhall make a noſe of Wax of the Law, as he hath done, was an unrighteous Judge, or words to that effect.
IV. The uncivil behaviour of the ſaid Crofton uſed towards his maid ſervant, Mary Cadman, as appears by Affidavits taken before the Maſter of the Chancery; as alſo the examinations of ſeveral, taken before the Commiſſioners, ordered by his Highneſſe the Lord Protector, to examine the ſame; all which lie before his Highneſs at this preſent.
V. That whereas there was an Order granted by his Highneſs the Lord Protector and the Council (to confirm the former Order for M. John Simpſons preaching on the Lords day in the afternoon (as uſual) and a Lecture on one of the week daies) dated the 4 of Auguſt 1657. The Churchwardens, according to their duty, carried the ſaid Order to the ſaid M. Crofton, who read the ſame, and then demanded, Where they had it? they anſwered, From my Lord Protector and the Council. Nay, ſaid M. Crofton, you mean you had it from the Common Council; and ſaid, he knew not the hand, and that the Order did not concern him. Notwithſtanding this, he having performed his morning exerciſe on the Lords day, being the 9 of Auguſt, he there continued in the Pulpit, and ſeveral others with him in the Church, and went not home, as is uſual, which cauſed many people from ſeveral parts to flock about the Church, ſeeing the ſaid Crofton to keep the Pulpit, and Conſtables ſtaves brought to the Church out of Middleſex to guard him by the ſaid perſons to whom the ſtaves did belong they being Conſtables and Headboroughs of Middleſex cauſed a great diſturbance. The Conſtables, whoſe charge it was to ſee the peace kept, and that no diſturbance might ariſe, went into the Church with one of the Churchwardens, about one of the clock, in a peaceable manner, to know whether M. Zachary Crofton would obey his Highneſs and Councils Order, upon which one of the Conſtables of Middleſex aforeſaid; thruſt both the Conſtable and Churchwatden who only went to perform their duty.
VI. That on the next day, being the 10. of Auguſt, the ſaid M. Crofton got a Warrant from a Juſtice of Peace to apprehend Edward Tench and Antony Finch, Conſtables. (which did their duty according to his Highneſs and Councils Order) and after the Warrant Signed and Sealed by the Juſtice, the ſaid Crofton did of himſelf interline and put in the name of one Roger Waldin, who was the forementioned Churchwarden in the fifth Article; and apprehended the ſaid Waldin and carryed him before a Juſtice of Peace for a diſturber, which upon examination was found to be none.
A true Copy.
William Avery
John Levet.
Tho. Harriſon.
Additional Articles exhibited by the major part of the Common Council, the Churchwardens, and divers of the Inhabitants of the Pariſh of Buttolph without Aldgate, againſt Zachary Crofton Miniſter there.
I. THat on the 16 day of Auguſt laſt, being the Lords day, the ſaid Zachary Crofton in the publick meeting place of Aldgate, in his publick Exerciſe or Sermon, did ſay, That Moſes could prevail with the Lord by Prayer, but he could not prevail neither by Prayer nor Law, becauſe that ungodly men have prevailed with the unjuſt Judges of this Nation, who have gone contrary to their Oath, tyrannically diſinheriting him of his right, and letting of an erroneous turbulent ſpirit enjoy it.
II. And that their ſword was the Law, and therefore their tyrannie was the greater, whereunto Law cannot reach.
III. And that if that he were to plead his cauſe, with either Gody or honeſt, Pious, or Civil, Modeſt, or Juſt Judges, according to Law, he was confident he ſhould enjoy his right: and ſaid that the wickedneſs of ungodly man hath ſo prevailed againſt him, with the tyrannie of unjuſt Judges, that he is enforced to leave his right, and if any of the Soules of his people be damned, for ought he knew, their blood would be required at the hand of the unjuſt Judges or the Erroneous Intruders.
IIII. The ſaid Zacharie Crofton, on the day and at the place above mentioned did further ſay, I have received an order for Simpſons teaching in my Pulpit, and I am here to ſurrender my juſt reentred right to Simpſon, contrarie to all Law right and reaſon, and as a certain king ſaid, what I will do I will do; ſo I am diſreentred by that power, that what they will do they will do contrarie to all Law, right and reaſon.
V. That on the Third day of September laſt, it being a Commanded publique day of Thanksgiving for the Victories of Dunbar and Worceſter, the ſaid Zacharie Crofton would not Preach himſelf that day, nor ſuffer any other to Preach that day in the Publick meeting place at Aldgate.
That on Munday the 21. of September laſt it being the day appointed according to the Annual Cuſtom for a thanksgiving to the Lord for his Mercies to the Trained bands of Algate (amongſt others) at the memorable fight at Newberrie-Waſh the ſaid Zacharie Crofton was requeſted by the inhabitants of Aldgate Pariſh who had been Souldiers in that fight to give leave to M. John Simpſon to Preach them a Sermon in the publique meeting place at Aldgate, but the ſaid M. Crofton would not give leave, ſo the ſaid inhabitants were forced to have their Sermon at Katherine Creed-Church a Neighbour Church.
A true Copy.
William Avery.
John Levet.
Thomas Harriſon.
I am a Man, and ſo ſubject to infirmities, and hard it will be to paſs through the ſieve of envy, and rake of malice, and have the whole courſe of my life reviewed by revengeful foes, and not ſomething of guilt found, which may be charged and muſt not be denied; but yet though as a man I have been ſurpriſed with ſome failings, yet this I have to ſay, That as a Miniſter I have (by Gods grace) for more then fourteen years exerciſed this holy calling, not onelyonly without the leaſt clamor and charge of ſcandal; but with the fame and repute of a godly man among ſuch as are godly, both Miniſters and people; to the evidence of this, I crave that your Clerk may read theſe annexed Certificates from the people and Miniſters among whom I lived in the Countrey before I came to London:
Newcaſtle in Staffordſhire.
WHereas we are given to underſtand that it is moſt wickedly and maliciouſly reported that Mr. Zachariah Crofton our late Miniſter, now Preacher at James Garlick-hill in London, was in the time he lived amongſt us, known to be a Malignant, and Scandalous man in life and converſation, and was for his Malignancy and Scandal, from us removed: We do hereby certifie and declare to all men, that he was never charged with, nor amongſt us ſo much as ſuſpected of malignancy, but well known for his integrity to the Parliament of England, and that as to his carriage amongſt us, he was not onelyonly painful and faithful in preaching to us the word of truth in ſoundneſs, to the profit and good of many a ſoul amongſt us, and in the Countrey about us, but alſo cleer from all ſcandal in his converſation and well reputed among us for his piety, and never was from among us removed upon the account of malignancy or ſcandal, in witneſs hereof, we have ſet our hands, the twentieth of Auguſt 1653.
John Hill, Major
Joſeph Sond Miniſter of Newcaſtle
Tho. Lawton
Walter Bagnall
Richard Orine Schoolmaſter
Randle Bagnal Aldermen.
Richard Bagnal Aldermen.
Randolph Shaw Aldermen.
Richard Heath Aldermen.
Richard Bowker Aldermen.
Ralph Keeling Aldermen.
Thomas Bagnall
Thomas Low, Bailiffe
Thomas Harriſon
Richard Harriſon
Richard B…lton
Randolph Lovet
William Bret
Richard Bradſhaw
Thomas Shaw
William Waklate
Mathew Pain
Tho. Wood
John Brooks
John Harriſon
James Tarbuck
John Burgis
Georg Richardſon
Gilbert Hill
Matthew Rock
Thomas Knight
William Harriſon
John Butler Church-warden.
Richard Cook.
Samuel Bagnal
John Jennings
John Harriſon
Richard Harriſon
Matthew Bowcar
William Beard.
Sept. 16. 1653.
WEE whoſe names are ſubſcribed being Inhabitans in the Pariſh of Wenbury in the County of Cheſter, do hereby certifie to all thoſe whom it may concern, that Mr. Zachary Crofton was Miniſter in the ſaid Pariſh from September 1649 for the ſpace of two years and upward, all which time with diligence and godly zeal he did Preach unto us the Word of Truth, Adminiſter the Sacraments, and Catechize the yonger ſort of Chriſtians. His Doctrine was pure and Orthodox, ſo far as we are able to judge, his Converſation honeſt, and ſuch as became the Goſpel of Chriſt; his Reputation with the Miniſtry and godly Chriſtians in the County was unſpotted, his Company deſired, and ſince his departure hence to London, his abſence very much lamented; all which we ſhall further teſtifie as occaſion ſhall be offered.
John Maſſie
Nicholas Wilſon
Thomas Morris
Richard Savage
William Hall
Hugh Hall
Richard Lewis
Ralph Yeaviſon
Peter Jackson
John Fiſher.
John Barrow
Thomas Brees
Richard Heighfeild
Randal Ankars
George Hall
Thomas Gray
Edward Hamnet
Robert Tricket
Hugh Maſſie
Jonathan Ball
James Barnit
Thomas Caldecot
John Savadge
John Sproſton
Jo. Broſter Ludim
John Vernon
Henry Woolrich
William Wollrich,
Thomas Coleſacks
John Wilkiſon
Thomas Wolam
Richard Jackſon
William Howpar
Thomas Tenſh
George Bennifield
Thomas Gray
Thomas Spencer
William Manwaring
Edward Palin
Joſeph Palin
Ar. Cartwright
George Starkey
William Cudworth
Fench Yeaman
Thomas French
Ralph Preeſe
William Rogers
Thomas Rogers
William Milliton
Richard Rogers
Randle Hare
John Daxon
William Wickſteed
John Twis
John Lunt
John Woolrich.
November the 5th. 1657.
WE the Miniſters of the Goſpel in the County of Cheſter, and parts adjacent, do upon our perſonal knowledg of M. Zachary Crofton, now Miniſter of Bottolphs Aldgate, London, certifie, That he lived, and conſtantly exerciſed his Miniſtry among us for many years together, during which time he was highly eſteemed by our ſelves and ſuch as feared God among us, and that as well for the Grace of God in him witneſſed by his holy and unblameable converſation among us, his Sober and Modeſt behaviour in his own Pariſh and Family, as for his abilities for faithfulneſs and conſtant diligence in the work of the Miniſtry: and that in all the time he lived in our Country, he was never ſtained with the leaſt blemiſh of Malignancy, or Scandal, or Immodeſty, either in reference to himſelf or family.
And Parſons Miniſter of Wem.
Tho. Porter Miniſt. of Whitchurch
Sam. Cole Paſtor of Wybunbury
Edw. Burghal Miniſter of Acton
Sam. Fiſher Miniſter at Thornton
Iames Marbury Miniſter of Davenham.
George Mainwairing Miniſter of Malpas.
Richad Jackſon Miniſter at Namptwich.
Mat. Jenkyn Paſtor at Grefford.
Ran. Sillito Paſtor of Church-Lawton.
Ri. Steel Miniſter of Hanmer Flint
Nat. Lancaſter Paſtor of Tarperly
John Glendole Paſtor of Peters in Cheſter.
John Pemberton Paſtor of Johns in Cheſter
Sam. Clark Miniſter of Taruin
Thomas Edge Miniſter of Gooſtree.
Joſias Clarke Paſtor of Tatenhall.
William Keyes.
Aylmore Houghton Miniſter of Preeze.
And ſince Providence caſt my Miniſtry into this City, ſuch hath been my courſe of life, known to my brethren in the Miniſtry, with whom I have conferred, and intimately aſſociated, as that they are pleaſed to give of it this enſuing Teſtimony.
LONDON April the 10. 1657.
WHereas M. Zacharie Crofton (Miniſter of the Goſpel of Buttolphs Algate London) hath for ſeveral years laſt paſt had his abode, and exerciſed his Miniſtrie in this Citie, by means whereof we whoſe names are under written (with many others) have had the opportunitie to know him, his miniſtrie and Converſation.
Theſe are to certifie (all whom it may concern) that upon our Perſonal knowledg and long experience, we Judg him to be a truly Godly man, an eminently able, painful, faithful, and Zealous diſpencer of the Goſpel: In whoſe hand God hath exceedingly proſpered his own work, for the converſion, conſolation, ſtrengthening, eſtabliſhment, and edification of very many Souls to eternal life; So that he is (we know) very much in and dear to the hearts of Gods People in this City: And as for his converſation, we eſteem him a man of great integrity, and conſcientious in all his wayes, truly Pious, exemplary and holy in the courſe of his life and converſe with men, whereby as by his publick indefatigable labours, and all other good wayes and means, his endeavours have always been to promote and advance godlineſs and the intereſt of Jeſus Chriſt in his generation. In witneſs of all which we have hereunto readily ſet our hands.
Edm. Calamy.
Simeon Aſhe.
Arthur Ja…kson.
James Nalton Miniſter of Leon Foſterlane.
Thomas Caſe.
Samuel Clark.
Charles Ofſpring.
Elidad Blackwel.
William Bates.
Matthew Poole Miniſter of Michal Querne.
John Croſs Miniſter of Fridaſtreet London.
John Fuller Miniſter of Jronmonger lane.
George Smalwood Miniſter of Mildreds in the Poultry.
William Blackmor Miniſter of Peters Cornhil.
Thomas Clendon Miniſter of Alhallowes Barking London.
John Wells Miniſter of Olaves Jewry London.
Thomas Watſon Miniſter of Stephens Walbrook.
Roger Drake Miniſter of Peters Weſt-Cheap.
James Cranford Miniſter of Chriſtophers.
William Taylor Miniſter in Coleman ſtreet.
Thomas Jacomb Miniſter of M. Ludgate.
Richard Kentiſh Miniſter at Katherines tower.
William Wickins Miniſter of Andrews Hubbards.
Matthew Haviland Miniſter of Trinity Pariſh London.
And in this Pariſh, where theſe men labour to render me vile ſuch hath been my converſation, that the people who hath ſeen and known my manner of life (theſe men excepted, whoſe firſt quarrel was, and greateſt is, at my * miniſtry) in an open Aſſembly (not by gathering names to blanks from door to door in a clandeſtine way, as did mine enemies) with an unanimous and cheerful acclamation, give this annexed Teſtimony of me, and proteſt againſt theſe proſecutions of my name and miniſtry.
To the Honorable Comiſsioners for Ejection of Scandalous ignorant and inſufficient Miniſters. The Humble Repreſentation and Proteſt of the Pariſhioners of the Pariſh of Botolphes Aldgate London, againſt the preſent proſecution of M. Zacharie Crofton our faithful Paſtor.
WE the Inhabitants within the Pariſh of Botolphs Aldgate London, having underſtood, that there are certain Articles of Scandal exhibited againſt M. Zacharie Crofton our preſent Miniſter; and that in the name of the Churchwardens, and Pariſhoners of the ſaid Pariſh, thought it to be no other then our duty, to acquit our ſelves from the guilt and odium of this proſecution by making this repreſentation of our thoughts, that we received M. Zacharie Crofton to be our Miniſter as a bleſſing from God, and peculiar favour from his Highneſs.
And that as we were ſatisfied in the piety of his paſt life (by the teſtimonials, we have ſeen ſubſcribed by the hands of the people among whom he hath lived, ſo ſince he hath lived among us (which is almoſt three years) he hath laboured among us with much faithfulneſs, induſtry, diligence, and good ſucceſs in his Miniſtry, unto the great ſettlement of our diſtracted Pariſh, and reſtitution of Gods ordinances (of which we have been long deprived) and hath led his life among us in all honeſty, and godlineſs; and walked before us in the example of an holy unblamable converſation, as becomes a Miniſter of the Goſpel; and in ſubmiſſion to the preſent Government of this Common-Wealth, in ſo much that the common infirmities of a man excepted, we cannot charge him: but proteſt our diſlike, and deteſtation of all proſecutions of him, to the reproach of his name, (which hath been precious in the Church of God) and depriving us of his Miniſtry, which we have found powerful in our hearts, and conſciences; farther declaring that we utterly diſown all Articles againſt him, in our names or by any intruſted with any power, or places of truſt & dignity among us againſt him exhibited, well knowing that they are no other, then the malicious proſecution of ſome too violent and diſcontented men among us; who have diſturbed our peace, diſtracted our order intruded on us teachers which we cannot own, and now labour to deprive not only us, but the Churches of God of his pains and precious Min…ſtry, whom though we are far from defending in any known Scandal, yet as knowing his integrity, cannot but own and ſtand by, and deſire ſuch as are intruſted with power that he may be convicted of real crimes, and not infirmities, (from which we know no man free,) ſtrained by malicious enemies, but as become, Piety, Juſtice, and the end for which you are Authorized; in all which we hope for expreſſions of tender reſpect unto our ſoules which cleave unto his Miniſtry, and we whoſe hands are ſubſcribed ſhall pray.
Rob. Burdit.
Rich. Garford.
Edward Mico.
Kelham White.
Edward Quicke.
William Grammer.
Abram Parrat.
Henry Winſle.
Nath. Frere.
Alex. Green
Rowl. Swinnerton
Church wardens
George Ayrey.
Nicholas Addams.
John Hebs.
Anthony Wood.
John Beck.
William Acton.
James Nuthal.
Paul Doby.
John Langham.
Abram Venhack.
Nathaniel Page.
Richard Engliſh.
Peter Turner.
Nathaniel Milles.
John Widneſs.
Anthony Hancock.
Joſeph Surbut. Seni.
John Duncomb.
Jonathan Grammer.
John VVarren.
Thomas Baſſet.
James VVoodward.
Ralph Cawte.
Thomas Ederton.
John Hutton.
Thomas Draycot.
John Barfout.
James Rayner.
John Bondon.
Vincent Izot.
Thomas VVharton.
VVilliam Shan.
Edward Dexter.
John Hoskin.
Henry Iohnſon.
John Barham.
VVilliam Arly.
George Moris.
VVilliam Woodroſs.
Thomas Burrows.
Henry Tanner.
George Rodes.
Henry Skarbrow.
Thomas Borral.
Ralph Browner.
Thomas Heath.
Iames Heneks.
VVilliam Ledger.
Chriſtopher Ally.
Iames Honiburn.
John Johnſon.
VVilliam Smith.
John Smith.
Nicholas Boſwoth.
Thomas Gunner.
Abram Row.
Thomas Place.
VVilliam Saunſom.
Richard Maidman.
Thomas Hobkin.
VVillam Clacſtone.
George Spencer.
Thomas Read.
Robert Sabin.
Iohn Maſon.
Nathaniel VVhitting
Timothy Roberts.
VVilliam Beck
Iohn Barker.
Richard Rodgerſon
David Ploumer
Peter B…tton
John Palſmor
William Henderſon
William Payne
Peter Goſlin
Richard Cooper
William Smith
Rodger Coply
John Strandwidg
Robert Reall
Jonas Brookbanke
Ralph Gillam
Eleazer Berens
William Beal
George Banners
Joſeph Sarbut junior.
William Harris
William Hutchines
William Arme
Thomas Batt
John Blython
Richard Penney
John Greenhaugh
William Peacocke
John Gray
Richard Corner
Thomas Jones
William Powel
Cornelius Foxly
Thomas Neall
John Peacocke
William Bafer
Richard Wharton
Robert Tinbee
Richard Allin
Thomas Goſtlin
John Towers
Edward Gesford
Richard Lawleſs
Charles Williams
Joſeph Barcop
John Merry
Nicholas Kilbee
Valentin Hall
Andrew Kildenmore
William Lambey
Hugh Griffin
John Hartley
John Sharpe
Joſeph Bell
William Budley
George Jelly
John Claye
Robert Hall
Walter Thomſon
Richard Farley
Thomas Bilefome
John Wright
John Millborne
William Taylor
Thomas Griffen
Timothy Smart
Charls Elmor
Iames Doxtie
James Smith
Edward Nicholſon
Tho. Pardew.
John Clarke
Henry Jackſon
Chriſt. Taunton
Richard Haile
Andrew Eaſtwood
Thomas Iſſacher
John Campion
John Lee
Peter Waddeman
John Roſſe
Henry Rumball
William Compton
Charles Williams
Joſeph Bartoke
Will. Cuppey
James Jeaſon
Sam. Cocſhull
William Lecke
Rob. Thompſon
John Partridge
Robert Pearce
Philip Shipton
Robert Duke
Natha. Duckfeild
Gawin Aremſtead
Robert Skyner
Will. Fletcher.
Robert Wonham
Tho. Forreſt
Joſeph Robeſon
Ruben Ricraft
Andrew. Reeme
Harman Tivil
Michael Goodman
So that I doubt not but you now ſee, that till this, and at this time to none, but theſe men; who to revenge their own deſired luſt, and to wreſt out of my hands the authority of my miniſtry, and civil right of my place: and the better to palliate their horrid impiety, and to cloude mine integrity, do labour might and main, right and wrong, to make me vile, whom bleſſed be God they cannot ſo finde. And now as to the Charge, I ſhall deſire to note of it in general,
1. That it is exhibited under the ſpecious title of the major part of the Common Council-men, Churchwardens, and divers inhabitants of the Pariſh of Bottolphs Aldgate, London And yet no one Common Council man, or Churchwarden hath ſigned it; nor any one Inhabitant, John Levet (one of the baſeſt and vileſt for conſtant enmity to Goſpel miniſtry, common lying and cozoning in the courſe of his calling, and contempt, in the point of his eſtate excepted) unleſſe Capt. Tho. Harriſon (that known enemy of Gods Miniſters, and impudent invader of the pulpit (who as I am informed) purpoſely to avoide the charge of pragmatical buſying himſelf in other mens matters, hath about a fortnight ſince taken ſome lodgings in the pariſh, muſt be deemed an inhabitant. I well know indeed that the major part of the Common Council-men in point of number; and two Churchwardens are confederate in this deſign, proteſted againſt by two Common Council-men, and two Churchwardens, and many hundreds of the Pariſh: and if quality may but counterpoiſe, the five exhibiting will be found much too light for one of the four diſowning this Charge; two of the three Common Councilmen being venerable Carpenters in their Taffety doublets,Iohn Wildgoſs. Iohn Pits. William Iellie. and the other a Tallow-chandler, who gaping for a Deputiſhip, did on purpoſe to remove them, help the two oppoſite Common Councilmen to the dignity of Aldermen, and yet loſt their deſign: and as to the point of their practice, let the whole Warde witneſs, whether it poſſeſſeth more proud, ambitious, turbulent, deboiſt, envious and profane perſons, more profound Sack-ſuckers, and ſubſtantial Alehouſe-ſupporters, then are theſe five men. And I will be bold to charge them to be malicious enemies to Goſpel miniſtry; one of them to be forſworn, another convict before the Council impudently to aſſert a notorious lie, and yet four ſeveral times offered to ſwear it: the third it is well known hath many times high heels under an heavy head, and knows how in Veſtry Councils to pay his Tavern Reckoning; and the two Churchwardens will ſcarcely bring their action againſt ſuch as ſhall ſay they are common drunkards and ſwearers, but they have made the whole Congregation witneſs, that they can apply this general confeſſion in prayer, Lord, there are in the midſt of us men mighty to drink wine, and ſuch as put their bottle to their brothers noſe to make them drunk. In a word, they are the ſhame of the Ward that keeps them in office, and a great diſhonour to the honourable Common Council of this City. And as theſe five, ſo their divers inhabitants confederate, will be on enquiry found to be men moſt deſperately profane, and at a deadly enmity to the power of godlineſs. I doubt not but you will eaſily judge theſe are fit inſtruments to appeare againſt a Miniſter, and eject him out of this office, whom men of Civility, Gravity, Honeſty and Piety do own as godly, and contend to enjoy.
The ſecond thing that I deſire to note, is, That this Charge is meerly frivolous, and viſibly malicious; containing in it nothing really criminal or ſcandalous: Suppoſe a truth in the whole, it accuſeth humane infirmities, and chargeth ſome acts of weakneſs, which yet are not inconſiſtent with piety, or miniſterial fidelity; nay, and the whole charge lieth without the Cognizance of this Court, and although there were (as indeed there is not) never ſo much truth in it, yet it is Coram non Judice: you being to judge by a Law, and that law enumerating ſuch particular crimes as ſhall be deemed ſcandalous, none of which is in this Charge objected againſt me, and therefore unto it I am not bound to pleade, or give any anſwer: Nay, I doubt not but you wil ſee that you are bound to reject the charge as meerly frivolous; for as to that part which ſeems to come neareſt the criminals, you are appointed to judge, (viz.) many expreſſions which are pretended to be ſpoken againſt the Lord Protector; had I (as I profeſſe in the preſence of God, Angels and Men, I did not ſpeak them) yet they are no publication of diſaffection to the government, but onelyonly Querulous expreſſions of the carriage of Governours, and that in the caſe of a perſonal and particular grievance, and theſe two are diſtinct. The Government may be juſt, good and allowed, where the Governors may act unjuſtly, oppreſs and occaſion groans and grievous expreſſions of complaint, which yet muſt not be deemed diſaffection to the government.
So that whilſt in pleading and giving anſwer to this Charge, I may render ſcandalous and criminal what is not ſo, and beſpeak you a Court altogether Arbitrary, who are not ſo, and become an evil Preſident to ſuch as ſhall come on this ſtage after me; and be an occaſion for men to fancy, that your Commiſſion, piouſly intended to reform the Miniſtry, may be uſed as the humor of envy, and means to ruine Goſpel Miniſtry, on the diſcontent of any malicious men. I cannot but crave your judgment on the charge, and its conſonancy to your Law, and if in your judgments (as in mine) it appeareth to be out of your cognizance, that you will pleaſe ſo to declare it, and accordingly to reject it as meerly frivolous; the which being done, if you and mine enemies pleaſe, I ſhall as before ſo many private perſons, whoſe judgements are amicably deſired, give anſwer unto the ſeveral particulars of this Charge, by which wide-mouthed and weak men may know, that I plead not your want of Judicial Power to palliate my wicked cauſe, and cloud my courſe of life, the which, as it hath, ſo it ſhall (with the allowances due to frail man) undergo the ſtricteſt ſcrutinie of envy it ſelf, if God deliver me from falſe witneſſe, with which I have been afflicted.
I having made bold by way of demur to note what is in general obſervable in the Charge, do now crave liberty to give unto the particular Articles this particular anſwer.
Unto Article the firſt and ſixth, the one charging me to have ſaid unto John Farmantle, If I ſhould conſult the divel, what is that to you? And that of my ſelf I ſhould interline the name of Roger Walden into a Juſtice of Peace his Warrant.
I anſwer, Though neither of them are criminal, and are qualified with ſuch miſtaken circumſtances, and notorious falſities that I might plead Not guilty, and evade by diſproving the circumſtances; yet I ſay to them, as Auſtin to the accuſing Manichee, Quae tu accuſaſti egomet damnavi, Mine own accuſation ought to have ſaved them the labor; whilſt had not mine own in genuitie and ſimplicitie owned, they could never have convicted me, eſpecially of the latter. Is not that a right Chriſtian charge, when a mans own confeſſion muſt be the only ground of the accuſation? Is not repentance the ſpunge of impiety, much more of infirmity in the pious, and theſe were no other; if ſo much; for neither was the one ſpoken, nor the other acted wilfully, but under viſible temptation, or mature advice and counſel.
John Farmantle as a faithful witneſs ſhould tell the whole truth, he as an overbuſie man neer three yeers paſt, packing with, & put on by Will. Turner, and other his profane companions (who rage at the leaſt reſtraint or bar to the Lords Table) purpoſely to diſturbe the ſerious debate to that end agitated, did reſtleſly and clamorouſly querie, How will you know who are profane? to which he received that mild anſwer, Friend, I will reſolve you in that anon when this debate is ended: yet he purſued to diſturb, and was repelled with this ſecond anſwer, it may be ſome of your neighbors may inform me; yet not abiding ſilent, he received this third anſwer, Why do you ſo buſie your ſelf in that which concerneth you not? I ſhall endeavor to know who are profane, and if God by his Spirit ſhould reveal it, what need you care? He yet proceeding to interrupt our debate, at laſt received this unadviſed check, What a ſtrange buſie man are you thus to enquire of that which concernes you not? if I ſhould conſult the divel, what is that to you? So you ſee paſſion provoked to the height before it uttered this expreſſion; and a meek Moſes may wrathfully call Iſrael Rebel, and by the Spirit of God canonizing his Saint-ſhip be ſhadowed with this charge, They vexed his Spirit, ſo that he ſpake unadviſedly with his lips.
And as the expreſſion was not uttered, ſo the action was not done without temptation. And concerning it, I ſay it was an error, but I bleſſe God on my ſpirit there is no aggravating guilt, nor any thing more ſave actum agere, I wrote the name. The caſe was thus; The Juſtices Clerk having omitted Waldens name (purpoſed to have been in the Warrant) I was running to the Old-Bayly to have it inſerted, and met with an eminent and antient Atturney of this City, who told me, I might put in his name my ſelf, for it was ordinary ſo to do, and in that caſe for which the Warrant was granted, he was apprehenſible without it.
Paſſing from him, I met with an Alderman, who told me, I might do it and the Juſtice would own it, who never did diſowne it. On which adviſing, and knowing that the Alderman was buſie at the Seſſions, I did interline his name; and although one Juſtice did acquit him, yet before the Lord Chief Juſtice he was convicted of a Conſpiracie laid at the Fountain Tavern by Alderſgate to pull me out of the Pulpit; to which end he combined with Tench and Finch two profane and blaſphemous Conſtables, who made a Ryot in my Church, and came up to the Pulpit to pluck me thence, and diſturbed our aſſembly in the time of Publick Worſhip, and therefore gave juſt cauſe for a Warrant to apprehend him.
And now what will this Charge amount to; Mr Crofton is guilty of an unadviſed expreſſion and action, extorted by the viſible force of a temptation. This is indeed an infirmity deſerving fraterna correptio, Brotherly reproof, which I have, and am ready to receive from my Brethren in the Miniſtrie, and deſire to be humbled for, as they open the mouths of profane men, that delight to blaſpheme.
But are theſe criminal acts inconſiſtent to piety, & making the Miniſtry odious, that he muſt for them be caſt out, and trodden under foot of men. The men that can thus loudly clamor upon his unadviſed expreſſion, never once diſcover the provoked paſſion which uttered it, nor conſider their own terms deliberately uttered, as, That the divel is in you that you own Mr. Crofton, as Thomas Harriſon ſaid to M. Vanhack, and we will conſult the divel, but we will have that ſhall do againſt him to ruine him, as they were heard to ſay in the Guildhall on Wedneſday the ſecond inſtant. This is not a check of pragmatick curioſitie, but a publick reſolution. May I not juſtly ſay, Pull the beam out of thine own eye; but recrimination is not my work.
Unto the ſecond Article, which chargeth me to have anſwered M. Sabin when be asked me, VVhy I did not obſerve his Highneſſe dayes of Thanksgiving, &c. An honeſt man may receive a courteſie from a Thief on the High-way.
I anſwer, That this is not criminal, for it is an evaſive anſwer, and no Argument of diſaffection to the government; for it is the uſual Simile brought by ſuch as preſs ſubjection unto government irregularly acquired. I remember Judge Mackworth uſed a more homely ſimilitude after the cutting off the late King, preſſing ſubjection to the changed government, he ſaid, I will preſuppoſe your former husband was moſt cruelly and unjuſtly murdered, were you not then at liberty to marry another? It is well he is dead; theſe men would endeavour to make him a Traitor: But theſe words I never ſpake, and that M Sabine himſelf is ſteady on his oath to witneſs when ever he is called. And what they mean by words to this purpoſe, I know not, nor need I care; for they that will make a man an offender for a word, ought to charge and prove ſyllabically. Words to this purpoſe, was deemed a very great grievance in the late High Commiſſion Court, and I hope ſhall not be admitted in theſe dayes of liberty. For Words to this purpoſe, may be ſo in their apprehenſion, which are not ſo in the ſpeakers intention: Evaſive anſwers are uſually ambiguous. Preſuppoſe that I ſhould ſay in anſwer to ſuch a Querie, a man may receive a courteſie on Hounſlow Heath. Theſe men cry it amounts to the ſame ſence, as if none but Theeves did travel over Hounſlow Heath; but charity can eaſily find another ſence, and make the ſimile run thus, A man may receive a courteſie from a ſtranger travelling over Hounſlow, whom he knowes not, nor what right he hath to give, only he finds him poſſeſſed. Words to this purpoſe, will eaſily hook in the beſt friends that have pleaded plenary poſſeſſion to create a right to puniſh acquirements; and according to accuſers miſtaken apprehenſions, I muſt be charged as I am in the next Article.
Unto Article the third, which chargeth me to have ſaid, The Lord Protector was not a competent Judge, becauſe he had prejudged me in giving away the half of my Pulpit to Simpſon; and further, that he was an unrighteous Judge, for he that could make a noſe of Wax of the Law, as he had done, was an unrighteous Judge an unrighteous; or words to that effect.
To this I anſwer. This is a complaint of unjuſt adminiſtration, but no declared diſaffection to government; but as to theſe words, as charged, I never ſpake them: The Harriſon told me, He would have the Protector hear the foolery clamoured of my maid: To which I anſwered, I have offered, and do offer to caſt my credit on the verdict of twelve men amicably choſen, or returned by the Sheriff, but as for the Protector he is no competent judge, for he hath prejudged me: and that I had cauſe to ſay ſo there are ſome anong you know: And if a man may not deem his Highneſs in ſome caſes an incompetent judge, why doth the Lord Chief Juſtice ſit on the Bench in cauſes to him relating? And how is he capable of being impleaded? But, as for the giving away the halfe of my Pulpit, and ſaying, That the Protector was an unrighteous judge, and made a noſe of Wax of the Law, I never ſaid or thought it: For I am yet to be convinced, that by any colour of law I ſhould be interrupted in publick ſervice, or hindred from preaching twice a day to my people, and that ſtatis horis, on the Sabbath. And therefore unto this part I plead, Not guilty, and to convince me, you muſt expect the Oath of John Wildgoſs, and William Jellie, both accuſers, but have not ſubſcribed, that they may be witneſſes; and theſe men if they would ſwear truth muſt tell you, theſe were Tho. Harriſons words, not mine. For they coming to my houſe, and knowing that I would not ſpeake with them alone, brought with them Nathaniel Duckfield and Edmund Man (now at reſt) both men fearing God, and they heard what paſt in diſcourſe between us.
And if theſe two Common Council-men do ſwear (as they are deſperate enough) that I ſpake theſe words, I ſhall produce, Nathaniel Duckfield and one Roger Morris (a Miniſter in North Hamptonſhire, who was in my houſe) to witneſſe that when I ſaid, The Lord Protector was no competent judge; Thomas Harriſon ſaid, What, do you ſay the Protector is an unrighteous judge? I replyed, No, he that is an incompetent, is not alwayes an unrighteous judge: He anſwered, I will ſwear you ſaid ſo; and he now attempts to accompliſh his word: and when theſe two Common Council-men were gone away with this accuſer, I and my friends did bewail their wickedneſs, that would gloſs on my words, and then ſwear I ſpake them; but thus they make up their words to that purpoſe.
Moreover I ſhould (if not furniſhed to diſprove them) except againſt their teſtimony as incredible, not onelyonly as they are accuſers, in whoſe name the Charge is exhibited, but as the one is forſworn, and the other a convict lyar.
Unto Article the fourth, Relating to the incivility pretended to be acted on the body of Mary Cadman, I ſay it is here added to no other end ſave audactèr calumniaere to faſten with impudence their own ſlander; were it true, it is no crime; and modeſty hath been more violated by the fame, then act it ſelf if done.
But theſe men are moſt notoriouſly impudent, to charge what they can prove by none, ſave a notorious thief and liar, and one that hath to many in diſcourſe, and on her oath denied it; and that which ſhe never owned, till by a Juſtices Warrant brought to the Pye and Hoop Tavern hefore their very ſelves, who have circumſtantiated it moſt ridiculouſly; and taught her and others to ſwear the things in which they are palpably forſworn, and ſo proved, as doth appear in the late book to you directed, called Perjury, the Proof of Forgery, penned by a friend of mine that well knew all circumſtances relating to that buſineſſe. To this therefore I plead, Not guilty; and will hold mine integrity until I die, and not juſtifie theſe mine accuſers.
Unto Article the fifth, I ſay, that I did ſay, That the Order concerned not me, it being directed to M. Grafton. I knew not the Order to come from the Council, it not being ſigned by the Clerk as was uſual. On Auguſt the 8. I gave an anſwer to that order which provided M. Simpſon a liberty of Lecturing in my Church, which anſwer was, That I would do my duty ſtatis horis, and leave him to his liberty when I have done; and I am ſure Stepney would give 50 l. per. ann. for ſuch a grant. On Auguſt the 9. I kept my pulpit, being ſo adviſed by council, and knowing that if I ſtept out they would ſeizeit, and to that end Simpſon preached at Creed-Church that morning.
The Conſtables out of Middleſex who had their ſtaves were Pariſhioners, and on their duty defending me in my right, from ſuch as had at the Fountain Tavern conſpired to pull me out of the pulpit, who were theſe very accuſers and proſecuters of this charge. For this I was had before the Council, and acquitted; and theſe Conſtables were by theſe men indicted for a Riot who did but their duty, as was evidenced on Tueſday the firſt of December inſtant, before the Lord Chief Juſtice, where they were acquitted, and the conſpiracy of theſe men was diſcovered. And it muſt not be made a ſcandal for a Miniſter to contend for his juſt liberty to do his duty, and to have the Officers to defend him in the ſame againſt the plotted, viotent aſſaults of his enemies.
Unto the four firſt additional Articles, charging me on the Lords day Auguſt 16 in my Church and Sermon to have ſaid,
1. That Moſes could prevail with the Lord in Prayer, but I could neither prevail by Prayer nor Law, becauſe ungodly men have prevailed with the unjuſt Judges of this Nation, who have gon contrary to their oath, tyrannically diſinheriting me of my right, and letting an erronious turbulent ſpirit enjoy it.
2. And that their ſword was their Law, and therefore their Tyranny was the greater, whereunto law could notreach.
3. And if that I were to plead my cauſe with either godly, or honeſt, or pious, or civil, modeſt or juſt Judges, according to Law, I were confident I ſhould enjoy my right; and ſaid, That the wickedneſs of ungodly men had ſo prevailed againſt me, with the tyranny of unjuſt judges, that I was inforced to leave my right; and if any of the ſouls of my people be damned, for ought I know their blood would be required at the hands of the unjuſt Judges, or Erronious intruders.
I have received an order for Simpſons teaching in my pulpit, and I am here to ſurrender my juſt re-entred right to Simpſon, contrary to all law, right and reaſon, & as a certain King ſaid, what I wil do, I wil do, ſo Iam diſre-entred by that power that what they wil do, they wil do, contrary to all law, right and reaſon.
Unto this whole charge I deſire it may be noted, That theſe are the higheſt but querulous expreſſions in apprehenſion of of oppreſsion in a particular caſe. They all relate to the intruſion of Iohn Simpſon into my church, and are charged on that occaſion to be ſpoken, as being thereby provoked. It is the obſervation of the preacher, That oppreſſion will make a wiſe man mad. Theſe men make me cry, and then endeavour to have me beaten for crying. His Highneſs grants I. Simpſon a liberty, taking it for granted, that he and his people have ſo much honeſty and modeſty as to obtain both miniſters and peoples conſent. They diſ-ingenuouſly decline that, and by his liberty violently bring me and my people and Gods Ordinances into Captivity.
Can I chuſe but be grieved? Can a grieved ſpirit chuſe but ſpeak? And muſt not their unadviſed ſpeeches meet with indulgence? Our common proverb ſaith, Loſers may have leave to ſpeak. All men muſt needs judge, that to have my Church commanded againſt the common and juſt priviledge provided for, and poſſeſſed by all other Miniſters, muſt needs provoke paſſion: I, but to be commanded by Jo. Simpſon a man of tumults, witneſs Pauls Church yard, Biſhops-gate and Spittle fields: a man of ſedition, witneſs Blackfriers, & Alhallows fifth Monarchy Lectures: A man of Error, even damned errors, a convicted Antinomian, the men yet live in Aldgate Pariſh that convicted him of ſaying, The Law is of no uſe, not ſo much as a rule of life to a believer: Since his intruſion into my pulpit, he hath decried and degraded Gods holy Ordinances; at one time preaching, he ſaid, To learn a Catechiſm is not to worſhip God, you may as wel take your children to the Market or Fair, and buy them Bawbles, Rattles and Hobbie-horſes as Catechiſmes; And when I took notice of it, moſt impudently denyed in the ears and to amazement of the ſame Aſſembly, that ever he ſpake it, inſomuch that ſome ran out of the Church charging him with a notorious lye. And at the ſame time he utterred this expreſſion, That it was groſſe ignorance for any to think by catechetical heads to bring a man to the knowledge of Chriſt. Thus in the ſame place where I had vindicated, he hath vilified this needful Ordinance of Catechizing. And in my own hearing he did moſt groſly abuſe Scripture by falſe interpretations, as in the Sermon he preached on 1 Pet. 3.19. he noting Chriſt by his Spirit preached to the ſpirits which are in priſon: By Spirit of Chriſt, he underſtood, the Works of Creation and Providence to ſuch as lived remote from Noah, and the voice of Noah to ſuch as were neer him: and by Priſon he underſtood an eſtate of ſin and unregeneracy.
And on Wedneſday the 2 of Sept. 1657, he preached, and moſt vigorouſly preſſed this Familiſtical, and Baptiſm degrading Notion, (viz.) Baptiſm is not the ground of communion with the Church, but real grace, the anſwer of a good conſcience by the Reſurrection of Chriſt from the dead; and though a man were altogether ignorant of the Doctrine, and had never paſſed under Water-Baptiſm, he could own him as a member of the Church, and give him all the Ordinances of Jeſus Chriſt. And greatly he did inveigh againſt all ſuch as would not continue in communion with the unbaptized. And although the ſame day I taxed him with error, and ſoberly demanded his Arguments, noting ſome againſt this notion; nay, and on the following Wedneſday I by another Letter did demand and provoke his anſwer, but ſo diſ-ingenuous and obſtinate he is, that I never obtained any.
Now to have ſuch a man to be intruded upon my people, will it not provoke miniſterial zeal to loud complaints, and give me cauſe to ſay, If any of my peoples ſouls be damned, their blood will be required from the erroneous intruders.
So that I hope unadviſed expreſſions in this caſe ſhall not be deemed diſaffection to the Government, under which I lived peaceably without the leaſt expreſſion or ſuſpition of diſaffection, untill hereby provoked; and if God and thoſe in Government will but take this yoak from off me and my people, I ſhould be found as ſilent as the moſt ſubmiſſe to the preſent Government: and a favourable apprehenſion of any expreſſions uttered in this provoked complaint, is the rather deſired, for that I was one who fought for my liberty, and expect to enjoy it, no leſſe then others: ſo far was I from being in armes for the King (as mine accuſers have reported) as that under Sir John Meldrom and Colonel Shuttleworth, I was in armes againſt him, as Lancaſhire and Cheſhire can well know, where I encountred thoſe dangers that the proudeſt of mine enemies I believe never did. I will not except Captain Harriſon, nor yet Major John Simpſon, of both whom I much miſtake if it may not be ſaid, Tutius eſt contendere verbis, quam pugnare manu: And in that Parliamentarie quarrel I did perſevere to the laſt ſtroak, and the Principles thereof I do with conſtancy retain. Nor was I ever ſequeſtred on any account of diſaffection as mine enemies have falſly ſuggeſted: It is indeed true, our Nation hath of late been ſubject to ſome revolutions, wherein I can better dread providence then defend inſtruments; herein I (as many other good men) ſtand diſſatisfied, but not declaredly diſaffected: and I hope if the childs complaint do flie ſomething too high, it will be an Apology to acquit from the charge of diſaffection that the parents have provoked unto wrath.
But why do I ſtand to apologize where I am falſely accuſed: unto this whole charge I do really plead, Not guilty. I did not on the 16 of Auguſt ſpeak any of theſe expreſſions in the Sermon preached at Aldgate, nor did I ſpeak them at any other time in any other place or Sermon: and I much wonder who muſt witneſs theſe expreſſions to be mine, where did they ſit? I can already read that they truſted their memory more then their pen, and I hope when they come to proof they will give you a convincing account of the Sermon in which theſe expreſſions were uttered. Sure I am that my whole Congregation will on the firſt view of them ſay, Mr. Crofton never uttered ſuch words in their eares, nor is it his Dialect or ſtile of ſpeech; it ſounds much more like the raſh conceptions and rude expreſſions of an All-hallows Lecturer, and thoſe who penned that daies Sermon can finde nothing like this Charge, though mine accuſers charge with confidence, and without their wonted Salvo, or words to that effect; nay, ſo far are theſe words from being mine, that though I would juſtifie the matter, I ſhould bluſh at the form: I do not uſually ſpeak non ſenſe, and theſe expreſſions are no other; in the very firſt, note the connexion, Moſes could prevail with the Lord in prayer, but I can neither prevail by prayer nor law: I pray you who is the object of Prayer and Law? is not the Lord, with whom Moſes prevailed? and doth it not ſound like M. Crofton? He could not prevail with God by prayer or law becauſe ungodly men had prevailed with unjuſt Judges, &c. And again, thinks any that I deem a Church-living an inheritance, that I ſhould account the intruſion of Joh. Simpſon into the whole (who is in no part) a diſinheriting me of my right. Again, Thinks any that I underſtand not the term Pious or Godly, that I ſhould Tautologize in my expreſſions? Let my brethren Judge whether it is probable that I would fetch a Similitude from a certain King that ſaid, What I will do, I will do, as if I knew not ſic volo, ſic Jubeo, to be a faeminine reaſon; ſo that the whole is ſuch an heap of non-ſenſe, that could I be convict I ſpake it, I ſhould rather be convened before you as an inſufficient, then a ſcandalous Miniſter, but the very face of the child ſheweth it to be the brat of ſome malicious brain; For I profeſs before God, Angels and Men, that I ſpake them not: Nay, by Gods grace, it hath been my care not to mingle my paſſionate complaints with his pure Word; and therefore whatever I have done, I did it diſtinct from my Sermon. I did the 16 of Auguſt expreſſe a complaint againſt John Simpſon and his confederates, and expoſtulate with them as men of neither reaſon nor civility, honeſty or piety, and they reflect what is charged on themſelves upon the preſent Government, whereas in the whole complaint I did not once mention tyrants, or tyrannically diſinheriting, nor unjuſt Judges, nor the ſword being their Law, nor indeed any thing in this whole Charge. The complaint I did make, I (foreſeeing the malicious miſapprehenſions and miſrepreſentations of it) I did commit to writing, communicate to ſome before I ſpake it, and did read it ſyllabically out of the paper unto the people, and I can if need be produce it. But theſe men that have openly enveighed againſt the Lord Protector, as*As did Iohn Simpſon in Alhallows Lectures. Tyrant, Great man at White-hall, and provoked againſt him an Ehuds dagger, calling him†As did Wil. Iellic. Juggler, and one that regarded not oathes, and that out of diſaffection to his Highneſs government; can put him into their room, and reflect on him the complaint made againſt themſelves, who in this very caſe of mine have done no mean diſhonour to his government, as I have noted in my Right Re-entred.
Unto the fifth Additional Article, I anſwer, That preaching on the 3 of September, was not commanded none was unto me propounded to preach that day at Aldgate, and though I preached not at Aldgate, yet I preached at Alhallows Barking; and I am not the only man that omitted that Dayes Exerciſe, Communis error fit jus.
Unto the laſt Additional Article, I anſwer, That there is in it a notorious falſitie; for none of the neighbors deſired of me that John Simpſon ſhould preach; one indeed put out that querie, when they deſired the libertie of the Pulpit, What if we chuſe M. Simpſon? but he deſired no liberty for him; but with their ſwords by their ſides they brought him into the Church, and I would not let him preach, nor will I let him him preach in my Pulpit one moment longer then I cannot help it, and I think, ſuch as love the truth will ſay, that the care of the ſouls of my people will nouriſh, maintain and juſtifie this reſolution.
And now, Gentlemen, I have brought out my cauſe before you, and given a plea unto this Charge, and that not meerly formal, but real and true, by which I doubt not, but you will ſee that I had cauſe to ſay of it, it is falſe and frivolous: And hereupon if it come within your cognizance, and the compaſſe of your Law, I joyn iſſue, and am ready to proceed to proof, by which it will be more plainly manifeſt, that malice againſt Miniſtry, not any ſcandal in my life, is the ground of my long vexation, and preſent proſecution; and that I have cauſe to ſay with the Pſalmiſt,
Pſal. 56.5.
What things I either did or ſpake
They wreſt them at their will,
And all the counſel that they take
Is how to work me ill.
FINIS.
Page 3. l. 10. r. unrighteous Judge. p. 5. l. 4. r. godly. p. 19. l. 33. r. unjuſt. p. 20. l. 2. r. judg. p. 22. l. 16. r. violent. l. 34. r. at the. l. 38. r. on p. 23. l. 5. r: Theſe. p. 10. againſt line 4. in marg. r. Hence their cry in all this conteſt is, We will know whoſe is the Pulpit.
End of the text · Zachary Crofton, Malice Against Ministry (1657)