His father intended to put him into business, but, discovering that his heart was set upon being a preacher of the gospel, he sent him to Oxford.
When Adkins 'first appeared in the pulpit at St. Mary's, Oxford, being but young and looking younger than he was, from the smallness of his stature, the hearers despised him, expecting nothing worth hearing from "such a boy," as they called him.
When the alterations were completed, the choir, commonly known as East Peter's Church, was capable of accommodating a vast congregation..
In his farewell sermon, preached 17 August 1662, Adkins said: Let him never be accounted a sound christian that doth not fear God and honour the king.
We make no question, however we may be accounted of here, we shall be found loyal and obedient subjects at our appearance before God's tribunal.Robert Adkins remained in Exeter after his ejection and died there on 28 March 1685, aged 59.