In the year 1648 there were Visitors appointed for the University of Oxford , who discharg'd Dr Newlin from his headship in C. C. C. and no man was thought so fit to succeed in that place as Dr. Staunton . That Colledge had been happy in an eminently Learned and Godly President before , the famous Doctor John Reynolds , and now it was blest againe with the residence and regency of this excellent person ; what Colledge in either of the Universities can shew such another pair of Governours ?

Here he continued above twelve years ; in all which time his behaviour was very exemplary , not onely to those that were of his own Colledge , but to the heads of other Colledges in that University : Be pleased to take a short account of his Conversation , from the Pen of one that was Scholar and Fellow of the House , the greatest part of the time that he was President : Thus he Writes . At his first coming to the Colledge he put in execution , and that vigorously , all such Statutes as tended most to the advancement of Learning and Religion , and was frequently himself present at all Lectures and other Exercises , to encourage the Studious , and reprehend the negligent . He set up a Divinity Lecture every Lords Day early in the Morning in the Colledge Chappel , for the initiating and exercising the Elder Students in order to the work of the Ministry . He constantly Catechis'd the younger sort publiquely in the Chappel every Saturday . He preacht once or twice every Lords Day , to the edification and comfort of many ; besides his constant course in the Vniversity Church and Colledge Chappel , and several lectures in the Country , whereunto he was alwayes most ready , rather seeking opportunities then declining them . He had every week a meeting at his own lodgings for prayer and spiritual Conference , as well of the members of the Colledge as others , wherein himself alwayes bore the principal part , bringing forth out of his store of experimental knowledg things new and old . He was constantly present in publique duties of worship in the Chappel morning and evening , observing all , and reproving any that were negligent and remiss . He took great care to introduce and elect into the Colledge such as he either saw or heard to have some appearances of grace , at least such as were docible and inclineable towards that which is good . Spiritual discourse was his meat and drink ; and when he sat at meals in the Colledge Hall , his constant course was either from the Chapter then Read , or from some occasion or other , to speak that which might tend to the instruction of those who were present , and to call up their minds to some heavenly contemplation . In the year 1660. Being discharged from the Colledge , where he had been so eminent a blessing by his prudent government and Pious example ; and none know this so well as such whose lot was cast to live there under his constant instruction and discipline ; 2 Tim. 3.10 , 11. both which were so far effectual , that Religion and Learning scarce flourished more in any one Society in the whole Vniversity then in that little Nursery , he reckoned it adviseable to withdraw also from the City , in which he had sown many handfuls of precious seed , and he always well watered it with his tears ; few that I ever heard of Preached with greater Affection and less Affectation . But when the time of his departure came , there are living that still know and remember with what sad hearts his dear Friends , Scholars and Citizens , parted with him . Some have assured me , it was much-what like Paules departure from Ephesus , taking his last leave of the Elders , Acts 20. latter end . Where they all wept fore and fell on Pauls neck , and kissed him , sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake . that they should see his face no more : and they accompanied him out of the City ; From the Famous University and City .

Recommending of himself unto the Divine Providence , to fix the Bounds of his habitation for him ; his first flight was to Rickmersworth , a small Market Town in Hertfordshire , where he had not been long , but he had a very kind welcome , both from the Gentry , as a Gentleman , and other good Christians of inferiour rank , as a Minister of Jesus Christ .

His first and chief design , when a little acquainted in the place , was to make way for the settlement of an able Minister of the New Testament there ; reckoning that one of the best accommodations of a house was wanting when such a Minister was wanting ; and he used to say , That Rickmersworth were a good place if there were better water , meaning a better Minister there : and that the design took no effect , was not through any default of his , all means being used on his part for the bringing that purpose to pass ; but however he quickly found the way to that Pulpit himself : and because the entrance being narrower there then in some places , he sought out a wider door , and more effectuall , and I believe it may be affirmed he found above twenty more , scarce one Sabbath passing wherein he Preached not the Gospel of the kingdome in a new Pulpit ; and his paines , though an old man , and somewhat infirm in Person , were rarely once only , but twice in one day . Thus this good man in labours more abundant , in the morning sowes his seed , and in the evening withholds not his hand , so liberal he was of his spiritual Almes , not knowing whether should prosper this or that , or whether they both might not be alike good , Eccl. 11.6 . so that in imitation of the great Apostle , by the power of the Spirit of God , he even from Jerusalem , round about to Illyricum fully Preached the Gospel of Christ .

So this excellent Minister of our Lord Jesus , from Rickmersworth even round about unto the utmost borders of the County , and into the neighbouring Counties also , he was spending , and being spent in the service of his great Lord and Master .

By all this the Reader may gather that our Doctor had not layne idle in the University , 'till he was rusted and cankered away and fit for no further use in the house of God ; but as it was said of Joseph , that his bow still abode in strength ; so it was with his parts , memory and with his affections also ; and he was constant untill the act of uniformity imposed that general silence upon all nonconformist , August . 24. 1662. But yet neither after this time was he willing to be idle , every week almost keeping one day as a private fast in his own , or else in some other godly Ministers or Christian Family , as to humble himself for his own sins , so for the abominations that were in the midst of the land ; and it cannot be easily forgotten , with what brokenness of spirit , and with what a dissolved soul , he would still take up some hours himself on those extraordinary occasions , either in the word , or prayer , or both : for indeed , he was mighty in prayer , as well as in the Scriptures , as it is said of Apollo .

Having passed , I think , some two yeares ; his wife now labouring under some weaknesses , and being weary with the burden of houshold affairs , he retired to a Chamber or two in a private Family some miles distant , where he was very useful ; he much inlightned , and quickly leavened the habitation : his Ministerial Gifts and graces were such , as that indeed he perfumed the whole house . As long as he lived there , there was a Church alwayes in that house ; and I presume the govenour , and children , and servants , do bless God for his presence , and conference , and exemplary conversation , to this day , and may they never loose the savour of the knowledg of Christ , and the sense of the power of the world to come , that he manifested , and they were under , during his abode with them . From thence he removed to another private family ( and I believe his frequent removes were , that he might have renewed opportunity of doing more good , and God more service ) where he was entertained as an Angel of God . This Family was near S. Albans , in which Town , from that time he was a great instrument in the hand of God for good , to correct some extravagancies amongst some people there , by his sober principles , and great moderation of spirit , and the noble exercises of self-denial and charity , being no burden unto any , but being crafty , catching them with guile , 2 Cor. 12.16 .