He was the son of a barber, and was born at Cambridge in 1613.

A remarkably clever youth, he was educated at Cambridge, and soon owed his preferment to his talents, eloquence, and learning.

An adherent of the king, he was appointed chaplain in the royal army, and was several times imprisoned.

When the king's cause went down, and during the protectorate of Cromwell, he retired to Wales, where he kept a school, and was also chaplain to the Earl of Carberry.

The vicissitudes of fortune compelled him to leave for a while this retreat, and he became a teacher in Ireland.