Background
He was son of Richard Stephens, vicar from 1604 of Stanton Street Bernard, Wiltshire, and was born about 1606.
He was son of Richard Stephens, vicar from 1604 of Stanton Street Bernard, Wiltshire, and was born about 1606.
He is now best known for his part in the early life of George Fox. On 14 March 1623, at the age of sixteen, he entered Magdalen Hall, Oxford, as a batler (poor scholar), graduating Bachelor of Arts 14 February 1626, Master of Arts 25 June 1628. On leaving the university he was curate at Fenny Drayton, Leicestershire, of which Robert Mason was rector.
He probably was in sole charge from 1638.
Driven from Drayton by the outbreak of the war in 1642, he took refuge in Coventry, where he subscribed the Solemn League and Covenant and became morning preacher at Saint Michael"son He returned to Drayton in 1645, and had among his hearers George Fox.
Stephens thought highly of Fox, discussed religion with him, and preached on the topics of their discourse, a proceeding which made Fox dislike his pastor. In 1649, while Stephens was conducting a lecture at Market Bosworth, Fox interposed, Stephens cried out that he was mad, and Fox, stoned out of the town by a rabble, set down the "deceitful priest" as his "great persecutor".
A discussion between them at Drayton in 1654 is narrated in Fox"s Journal "Neighbours," said Stephens, "George Fox is come to the light of the sun, and now he thinks to put out my starlight."
In 1659 Stephens was presented by Colonel William Purefoy to the rectory of Drayton, which he held till 1662, when he resigned under the Uniformity Acting 1662.
He continued to preach privately, but his services were often interrupted. Having seven times been driven from Drayton, he at length removed to Stoke Golding, three miles off, and preached there till lameness confined him to his chairman His studies made him absent-minded, but he was not wanting in a playful humour.
He was buried on 24 February 1678 in the churchyard of Stoke Golding.