He had his grammar learning in Oxford, (I thinke from Mr. Sylvester). He was admitted of Magdalen-hall in Oxford, <1627> (vide A. Wood's Antiq. Oxon.) His tutor there was the learned Mr. John Tombs (Coryphaeus of the Anabaptists). Anno Domini <1631> A.B.; Anno Domini <1634> M.A. He read to pupils here, (among others, Walter Charlton, M.D., was his pupill): he continued here ... yeares.
He has sayd oftentimes that the first rise, or hint of his rising, was from goeing accidentally a courseing of a hare: where an ingeniose gentleman of good quality falling into discourse with him, and finding him to have a very good witt[1242], told him that he would never gett any considerable preferment by continuing in the university; and that his best way was to betake himselfe to some lord's or great person's house[1243] that had good benefices to conferre. Sayd Mr. J. Wilkins, 'I am not knowne in the world; I know not to whom to addresse myselfe upon such a designe.' The gentleman replied, 'I will recommend you myselfe,' and did so, to (as I thinke) lord viscount Say and Seale (quaere), where he stayed with very good likeing till the late civill warres, and then he was chaplain to his highnesse <Charles Louis> Prince Elector Palatine of the Rhine, with whom he went (after the peace[CI.] concluded in Germany[1244]), and was well preferred there by his highnesse. He stayed there ... (not above a yeare).
[CI.] Quaere nomen loci.
After the Visitation at Oxon by the Parliament, he gott to be Warden of Wadham Colledge. Anno <1656> maried to <Robina> the relict of Dr. <Peter> French, canon of Christchurch, Oxon, and sister to Oliver, (then) Lord Protector, who[1245] made him anno 165<8/9> Master of Trinity Colledge in Cambridge, (in which place he revived learning by strickt examinations at elections: he was much honoured there, and heartily loved by all;) where he continued till 1660, (the restauration of his majestie). Then he was minister of Saint Laurence <Jewry> church in London; and anno ... was deane of Rippon in Yorkeshire. His friend, Seth Ward, D.D., being made bishop of Excester, he was made there deane, and anno 166<8> by the favour of George, duke of Buckingham, was made bishop[1246] of Chester; and was extremely well beloved in his diocese. Anno Domini <1672> he dyed of <the stone>. He left a legacy of four hundred pounds (quaere) to the Royall Society, and had he been able would have given more. He was no great read man; but one of much and deepe thinking, and of a working head; and a prudent man as well as ingeniose. He was one of Seth, lord bishop of Sarum's most intimate friends. He was a lustie, strong growne, well sett, broad shoulderd person, cheerfull, and hospitable.
He was the principall reviver of experimentall philosophy (secundum mentem domini Baconi) at Oxford, where he had weekely an experimentall philosophicall clubbe, which began 1649, and was the incunabula of the Royall Society. When he came to London, they mett at the Bull-head taverne in Cheapside, (e.g. 1658, 1659, and after), till it grew to big for a clubb, and so they came to Gresham colledge parlour.
Scripsit (vide A. Wood's Antiq. Oxon.):—
The World in the Moone, ... (long since).
Swift and Secret Messenger.
Art of Praying and Preaching.
Mathematicall Magique: dedicated to the Prince Elector: printed....