He was sent to the mission in Cambridge and acted as chaplain to Joshua Basset, appointed master of Sidney Sussex College by a royal mandate dated 3 January 1687.
On 7 February 1686–7 James II addressed a mandatory letter under his signet manual to John Peachell, vice-chancellor of Cambridge University, commanding him to admit Francis to the degree as master of arts "without administering unto him any oath or oaths whatsoever, or tendering any subscription to be made by him", thus ignoring the Test Act 1673.
The esquire-bedels and the registrars were sent to inform Francis that the senate were ready to admit him to the degree provided that he would swear as the law appointed, but he refused to do so, insisting upon the royal dispensation.
On the same afternoon the heads met in the consistory, and agreed to send a letter to the Duke of Albemarle and another to the Earl of Sunderland, secretary of state, through whose hands the mandate had passed.
At the Glorious Revolution, Francis withdrew to Lamspringe, whence he removed in 1699 to the English Benedictine college of St Gregory at Douai.