to True Happinesse,” which he called his “ Lesser Catechism.” 
On the title page, for motto, is the text, improved to meet the 
occasion, from Proverbs xxii, 6, ‘‘ Train up (catechise) a child in 
the way he should go,” &., &e. He also established a Tuesday 
Lecture, which attracted notice in the neighbourhood, but this, 
by the interference of the Bishop, was stopped. With the excep- 
tion of this little matter he seems to have lived on quietly for 
some forty years, seeing himself respected in his own parish and 
his influence constantly increasing through a wide district 
around it. 
During the latter half of this time, however, serious difficulties 
both Civil and Ecclesiastical had been troubling the whole of 
England. 
Archbishop Laud had brought Episcopacy into such prominent 
disfavour that in April, 1642, the Commons declared their inten- 
-tion to reform the Government of the Church. For their assist- 
ance and consultation they voted that an Assembly of learned and 
godly Divines should be called, and the matter so far advanced 
that the names approved for each county were sent up. Those 
selected for Somerset were Mr. Samuel Crooke, of Wrington, and 
Mr. John Conant, of Limington.* But for want of thorough 
approval in the House of Lords, the subject after several notices 
was allowed to drop for a short time, and this Assembly existed 
only in name. 
Then came the troubles of the Civil War in August, 1642, 
Mr. Crooke at once declared for the Parliament, and soon became 
a public man, by his zeal and activity in its behalf. Being now 
so well known, he was better able than any man to influence 
large numbers, and by his personal exertions many thousands 
were persuaded and encouraged to join his party.t That party 
soon attacked the Established Church, abolished the office of 
Bishop, and the use of the surplice, and showed a strong tendency 
* A catalogue of names approved, &c. 
+ Mercurius Aulicus, No, 39, 
