42 CROFTON. 1585 (as it is reported), in the tower of London, to which place he had been committed as a prisoner of state. He is the author of a manuscript “De Lingua Hibernica, lib. 1 .” which is still said to be extant, and some collec tions from which are among the MSS. of the Bishop of Clogher, in the college library. “An Ecclesiastical His tory,” part of which, in Sir James Ware's time, was in the possession of Dr. Thomas Arthur. He is also said to have written “De Controversiis Fidei,” (which possibly may be the same treatise which Stanihurst calls “Responsiones ad Casus Conscientiae,” as his “Chronicon Hibernias” may be the “Topographia Hibernia” of the same author), “Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae,” and “Catechismum Hibernice.” ZACHARY CROFTON. Zachary Crofton was a learned non-conformist divine in the seventeenth century. He was born, and received the greater part of his education in the city of Dublin. When his native country became the scene of tumult and confu sion in the reign of Charles I. he fled to England, and landed at Chester with only a groat in his pocket, which he spent the first night after he came on shore. His sufferings, ex cellent character, and talents, soon procured him friends, and he shortly obtained the living of Wrensbury, in Cheshire. In this situation he met with much trouble, chiefly on account of his attachment to the cause of royalty, and his refusing to subscribe to the engagement, and persuading others to follow his example. On this event he came to London with strong testimonials of his abilities and good character, from several neighbouring ministers, and from his parishioners; and after officiating some time at St. James's, Garlick-hithe, he obtained the living of St. Bo tolph, Aldgate, which he appears to have held till after the Restoration, when he felt a scruple of conscience in complying with some parts of the act of uniformity, and was accordingly ejected. He at that time entered into
