Background
Crosley was born in the neighbourhood of Todmorden, Lancashire, and was brought up by a religiously-inclined aunt.
Crosley was born in the neighbourhood of Todmorden, Lancashire, and was brought up by a religiously-inclined aunt.
While still young he worked as a stonemason at Walsden, preaching at night. He met John Bunyan, and lived an itinerant life. In 1691 Crosley preached a sermon at Mr.
Pomfret"s meeting-house in Spitalfields.
He then returned to Bacup, but in May 1695 was appointed minister of a congregation at Tottlebank, near Lancaster. Subsequently (before 1718) retiring into Lancashire, he was followed by reports of indiscretions committed in the metropolis.
A reputation of "notorious immorality" clung to him, and caused his expulsion from communion by the Yorkshire and Lancashire Baptist Association. In time he lived down the scandal.
Crosley lived at Hapton, near Padiham, and subsequently at Goodshaw, where in his old age he kept a school.
He was reputed "one of the largest men in the county". His discourse on Britliffe was preached, when he was 72, to an open-air audience of four thousand people. He died at Goodshaw in August or September 1744, in his seventy-fifth year.
He was succeeded in the pastorate of the Curriers" Hall, Cripplegate, by John Skepp.