Biography of Bishop Robert 1622-1708

On 26 Feb 1622 Bishop Robert was born.

Pepy's Diary. 10 Oct 1666. Thence with him to Westminster, to the parish church, where the Parliament-men, and Stillingfleete (age 31) in the pulpit. So full, no standing there; so he and I to eat herrings at the Dog taverne [Map]. And then to church again, and there was Mr. Frampton (age 44) in the pulpit, they cry up so much, a young man, and of a mighty ready tongue. I heard a little of his sermon, and liked it; but the crowd so great, I could not stay.

Pepy's Diary. 20 Jan 1667. Having done with him, home mightily satisfied with my being with him, and coming home I to church, and there, beyond expectation, find our seat, and all the church crammed, by twice as many people as used to be: and to my great joy find Mr. Frampton (age 44) in the pulpit; so to my great joy I hear him preach, and I think the best sermon, for goodness and oratory, without affectation or study, that ever I heard in my life. The truth is, he preaches the most like an apostle that ever I heard man; and it was much the best time that ever I spent in my life at church. His text, Ecclesiastes xi., verse 8th - the words, "But if a man live many years, and rejoice in them all, yet let him remember the days of darkness, for they shall be many. All that cometh is vanity". He done, I home, and there Michell and his wife, and we dined and mighty merry, I mightily taken more and more with her.

Pepy's Diary. 27 Jan 1667. Lord's Day. Up betimes, and leaving my wife to go by coach to hear Mr. Frampton (age 44) preach, which I had a mighty desire she should, I down to the Old Swan [Map], and there to Michell and staid while he and she dressed themselves, and here had a 'baiser' or two of her, whom I love mightily; and then took them in a sculler (being by some means or other disappointed of my own boat) to White Hall, and so with them to Westminster, Sir W. Coventry (age 39), Bruncker (age 47) and I all the morning together discoursing of the office business, and glad of the Controller's business being likely to be put into better order than formerly, and did discourse of many good things, but especially of having something done to bringing the Surveyor's matters into order also.

Evelyn's Diary. 25 Feb 1672. To London, to speak with the Bishop, and Sir John Cutler (age 69), our patron, to present Mr. Frampton (age 49) (afterward Bishop of Gloucester).

Evelyn's Diary. 27 Oct 1672. I went to hear that famous preacher, Dr. Frampton (age 50), at St. Giles's, on Psalm xxxix. 6. This divine had been twice at Jerusalem [Map], and was not only a very pious and holy man, but excellent in the pulpit for the moving affections.

In 1673 Bishop Robert (age 50) was appointed Dean of Gloucester.

In 1681 Bishop Robert (age 58) was appointed Bishop of Gloucester Cathedral.

Evelyn's Diary. 07 Mar 1686. Dr Frampton, Bp. of Gloucester (age 64), preach'd on 44 Psalm, 17, 18, 19, shewing the severall afflictions of the Church of Christ from the primitives to this day, applying exceedingly to the present conjuncture, when many were wavering in their minds, and greate temptations appearing thro' the favour now found by the Papists, so as the people were full of jealousies and discouragement. The Bp. magnified the Church of England, exhorting to constancy and perseverance.

Evelyn's Diary. 19 Apr 1691. The Archbishop of Canterbury (age 74), and Bishops of Ely (age 53), Bath and Wells (age 53), Peterborough (age 63), Gloucester (age 69), and the rest who would not take the oaths to King William (age 40), were now displaced; and in their rooms, Dr. Tillotson (age 60), Dean of St. Paul's, was made Archbishop: Patrick (age 64) removed from Chichester to Ely; Cumberland (age 59) to Gloucester. Note. A mistake. Bishop Edward Fowler was made Bishop of Gloucester. Bishop Richard Cumberland (age 59) was made Bishop of Peterborough.

On 25 May 1708 Bishop Robert (age 86) died.