He was educated at Cambridge, and was appointed to the See of Exeter in 1624, and transferred to that of Norwich in 1641, the year before Charles I.
ascended the throne.

The scope of his writings was quite extensive.

As a theological writer, he is known by his numerous sermons, his _Episcopacy by Divine Right Asserted_, his _Christian Meditations_, and various commentaries and _Contemplations_ upon the Scriptures.
He was also a poet and a satirist, and excelled in this field.

His _Satires--Virgidemiarium_--were published at the early age of twenty-three; but they are highly praised by the critics, who rank him also, for eloquence and learning, with Jeremy Taylor.

He suffered for his attachment to the king's cause, was driven from his see, and spent the last portion of his life in retirement and poverty.