curiously pryeth into the Popish relligion he was inforced to acknowledge that very many errours were crept into the Church which hinder and obsâ—ure the matter of our salvation insomuch that they are no small offence to as many as hunger and thirst after righteousnesse and the knowledge of the truth He discovered many corruptioâ—s and changes of sound doctrine he found not so much as word touching seven Sacraments before Peter Lumbard and that the vse of the Supper was delivered vnder one kinde onely contrary to expresse Scriptures that Transubstantiation was a devise of the Schoolemen that the doctrine of the worke wrought called Opuâ— operatum was newly risen that the Masse was turned from a Sacrament to a Sacrifice that in the Church wherein all things were ordeined for the edification of the people all things were now done to the non-edification of them that the adoration of Images was instituted against the expresse commandement of God Demurring for a while as distracted with these thoughts behold the rule of faith lately changed in the Councel of Trâ—nâ— vtterly astonished him For he had observed out of the auncient Writers as well as out of the later ones Luâ— baâ—d Scotus Aqâ—inas and the rest that the rule of faith was to be drawne onely from the holy Scriptures but in the Councel of Trent he beheld humane traditions made equall wiâ—h the Scriptures And seeing he vnderstood these traditions to be nothing else but peevish and crosse expositions of the holy Scriptures devised by the Bishops of Rome and thrust in among the Decretall Epistles as also that the said Decretall Epistles were meerely feigned and suppositions as is confirmed by the testimonies of many learned men and indeed by the confession of the very Papists themselues is acknowledged to be out of all doubt this so great a confusion of things being risen in the Church in these latter ages enforced Gilpin now earnestly desiring nothing so much as true piety to begin to doubt whether the Pope might not be that Antichrist foretould in the Scriptures and the Popish Church plainly Antichristian For what is it to exalt and set vp himselfe against all that is called God insomuch that he sitteth as God in the Temple of God behaving himselfe as God if not this that the Pope is head of the vniversall Church the Lord the Monarch and as it were the God thereof And that the word of the Pope is defended as the very word of God For how shall not he whose word is as the word of God be as God opposing himselfe to God and shewing himselfe that he is God But this word is called the vnwritten word or verbum non scriptâ—m is drawne out of the stinking puddles of the Decretals that is to say patched vp together out of false and fictitious writings And this word which is in no respect worthy to be compared with the word of an honest man is the vnwritten word of God and to be enterteined with the same pious affection as are the holy Scriptures Can Antichrist when he shall come if yet there be another to come more grievously wrong and blaspheme Christ and the holy Scriptures then the Pope doeth And here at the last he demurred as in an exceeding great doubt For who would haue thought the Pope to be Antichrist who durst to speake such a word before Martin Luther Therefore thus he argued with himselfe If the Pope be Antichrist I fee not onely probable but even necessary causes to depart from the Popish Church But if the Pope be not Antichrist I see no sufficient ground for such a departure It is not lawfull to make a seperation from the Church but we are not onely enioyned to come out of the Church of Antichrist but we see the fearefull anger of the living God and heare his dreadfull threates thundered out against those who shall remaine in Babiloâ— that Sinagogue of Antichrist Forasmuch as a voice from heaven speaketh vnto vs. Apoc. 18 Come out of her my people it is denounced that they shal receiue of her plagues whosoever haue beene partakers of her sinnes Here therfore he stoppeda while because except the Pope were manifestly detected to be Antichrist he did not vnderstand how he might seperate from the Church and therefore he applied himselfe by searching reading prayer and meditation to be resolved of this truth He observed out of the Auncient Fathers Tertullian Iâ—rom Ambrose Augustine Chrysostome Cyrill and others that passage wherein Antichrist is described 2 Thess. 2 7. He which now withhouldeth shall let till he be taken out of the way to be so interpreted as vnderstood of the Romane Empire that the Romane Empire which now held preheminence should keepe possession vntill Antichrist shall come who shall possesse the seat of the Romane Empire And moreover whereas it is said in the same place that Christ shall not come againe except there be a departâ—râ— first he observed this thing to be fulfilled likewise He perceived first a very maine departure of the Church of Rome from her primitiue simplicity and truth And secondly a second departure or seperation no lesse manifest to wit of that of the Reformed Churches from the Church of Rome Mr. Gilpin would often say that the Churches of the Protestants were not able to giue any firme and solid reason of their seperation besides this to wit that the Pope is Antichrist For he vnderstood that a departure was commanded from the Church of Antichrist by that heavenly iniunction Goe out of her my people and be not partakers of her sinnes lest ye reciue also of her plagues Revel 18. 4. In which place S. lohn wisely foretelleth that the people of God should be called out of the Synagogue of Antichrist that here was no third thing to be thought vpon that either the Church of Christ was not to be forsaken or the Pope to be accounted Antichrist out of whose Church the Church of God is called forth by an heavenly voice command And now event which is the most vndoubted interpreter of Prophecies hath prooved all these things vnto vs We haue seene already many Ages agoe that Kingdome taken away which ruled over all in the time of the Apostles and in the roome thereof an Ecclesiasticall Kingdome erected such an one as was never seene in the Church in former Ages We haue beheld the fearfull departure of the Church of Rome from the auncient purity and integrity of the Church We haue observed and doe daily the people called as it were by a voice from heaven comming out of Babylon that is to say out of the Church of Antichrist Our eyes haue seene these things fulfilled which we haue read of as being foretould so many Ages agoe These things mooved the mind of Mr. Gilpin wonderfully to follow that Church which was shewed vnto him out of the word of God The Church of Rome kept the rule of faith intire vntill that rule was changed and altered by the
vnpardonable to offend the least of these locusts The holy Frier at supper time eate like a glutton and like a beast could not giue over tossing the pot vntill being overcome with drinke he exposed himselfe a shamefull spectacle to so chast and sober a family But in the morning as if he had beene some young Saint lately dropped from heaven he causeth the Bell to towle to the Sermon and in the midst thereof blustering out certaine good words he presumed to grow hot against some sinnes of the time and amongst the rest to thunder bouldly against drunkennesse Young Gilpin who had but newly got the vse of his tongue having observed as it seemed the hatefull basenesse of the man by his oversight the night before and now hearing the beast cry out so loud against these crimes which himselfe had so lately beene guilty of as he was sitting neere to his Mothers lap in the Church sodainly crieth out in these words O Mother doe you heare how this fellow dare speak against drunkennesse who was drunke himselfe yesternight at our house The Mother made speed to stop the childes mouth with her hand that he might speake no further After this the parents of the boy perceiving his disposition by many evident testimonies were diligently carefull to make him a scholler He had a schoolfellow one Edwin Airy whom afterwards he loved intirely for his good disposition and approoved honesty but Gilpin did farre excell the rest in acutenesse of wit Having therefore with great approbation passed his time in the Grammar-schoole he is by his parents who had now conceived great hope of their sonne sent to Oxford At that time in Oxford both learning and Relligion were in all things out of ioynt and over-grown with the rust of Barbarisme And now was young Gilpiâ— sixteene yeares of age at his comming to Oxford being in the yeare of our Lord 1533. Being entred in Queenes Colledge he profited wondrously in humane learning He became as almost all the good wits of that time very conversant in the writings of Erasmus He fell very close to the study Logick and Philosophy wherein he was observed to grow excellent and to beare away the bell in schooles He added to this his humane learning the singular knowledge of the Greeke and Hebrew wherein he made vse of the assistance and friendship of one Neale betwixt whom and this Gilpin was growne much familiarity by the affinity of their studies This Neale was a Fellow of New-Colledge and afterwards Professour of the Hebrew in Oxford And now after some few yeares carefully spent in these studies Gilpin began to be so famous and so beloved in Oxford that there was hardly any place of preferment for a scholler whereof the eminency of Gupâ—ns vertue had not rendred him worthy in the publick estimation There was then an enquiry made for men of more then ordinary learning and fame who might make vp a number of schollers in christ-Christ-Church at that time newly begun and honour it with the commendation of learning Amongst these was our Gilpin one of the first elected At that time he had not fully attained to truth and sincerity in Relligion as having beene alwayes instructed in the traditions of the Church of Rome for in those dayes the most part of men did not regulate their Relligion and peity by the rule of Gods word but according to the Traditions of their Fathers received from hand to hand His minde although disposed to holinesse did for a while remaine in darknesse and being over-clouded with preiudiciall respects laboured vnder the burthen of superstition not without some shadow of Antiquity being more earnest against vices and corruptions of the time then against the traditions of the Fathers Therefore at that time Gilpin seemed a great vphoulder of the Popish Relligion He held disputation publickly against Iohn Hâ—â—per who was afterwards Bishop of Worcester and at the last a glorious Martyr of Christ. After the death of King Henry the eight when Edward the sixt was King Peter Martyr induced by the piety and Munificence of such a Prince read the Divinity Lecture in Oxford Against whom the Sophisters indeavoured to make opposition Chedsey Weston and Morgan who desired also to draw in Gilpin on their side that by his advise and help they might the more distract Peter Martir and the matter at last came to this push that Gilpin was produced to hould disputation against the positions of Peter Martir Vpon occasion of which dispute Gilpin to the end that he might defend his cause in hand adventureth more diligently then ordinary to examine the Scriptures and the auncient Fathers And by how much the more he studied to defend the cause which he had vndertaken so much the lesse confidence he began to haue therein because he supposed that he ought to stand for the truth which he stroue with all his might to discover and finde out But whiles he was zealously searching for the truth he began by little and little to haue a sight of his owne errours Whereupon Peter Martir was wont often to say that he was not much troubled either for Weston Morgan or the like but as for that Gilpin saith he I am very much mooved concerning him for he doth and speaketh all things with an vpright heart The rest seeme to me to be men who regard their bellies most of all and being most vnconstant are carried away as it were with every blast of ambition and covetousnesse But Gilpin reâ—ting firmely vpon gravity of manners and the testimony of a most laudable life seemeth to honour with his owne goodnesse the cause which he vndertaketh Yea and he did often pray vnto God that he would be pleased at the last to convert vnto his truth the heart of Gilpin being so inclinable to all honest desires And doubtlesse God heard the prayer of Peter Martir For from that time forward Gilpin drew neere to the knowledge of the truth not vpon a sodaine but as himselfe confessed by degrees Peter Martir had much illuminated Oxford with the truth of Divinity and the knowledge of humane learning Whereupon Gilpin resolved more earnestly to apply himselfe both by study and prayer to search out the truth To which purpose he determined to put in writing the disputation which had beene betwixt himselfe and Hooper But in the expressing and vnfoulding of the said controversie while he dwelt for a time vpon an accurate examination of the points which he had resolved to confute whiles he searcheth them to the bottome and regulateth the institutions of the Church to the authority of Scripture without which he well vnderstood that there could be no true Church at all he felt himselfe easily overcome and was not sory to be overcome by the truth Those draughts being found amongst Mr. Gilpiâ—s writings reserved in his private deske doe testifie his ingenuous and free confession together with the power of the truth and Gods great mercy in his conversion Whiles he
Councel of Trent And from that time it seemed vnto him a matter of necessitie to come out of the Church of Rome that so that Church which is true called out of from thence might follow the word of God For this calling out seemed to point out vnto vs a peculiar estate of the Church so Abraham was called out from Vr of the Caldees the people of Israel were called out of Egypt the Iewes out of Babylon after the captivity of seventy yeeres and at the last after the selfe same manner the Reformed Church called out of Mysticall Babylon or the Church of Rome These things were seene to haue beene brought to passe by the wonderfull providence and powerfull hand of God Therefore he saw that there was a necessity of commiâ—g out of her and that that Apostaticall Church was to be forsaken But he did not these things violently but by degrees In the meane while Cuthbert Tonstall Bishop of Durham had a purpose to send Mr. Gilpin to visit the Churches in forrane parts allowing him meanes for his travell This Tonstall was Mr. Gilpins Mothers Vncle. But before he vndertooke his voyage being commanded to Court he preached before King Edward the sixth touching Sacriledge which Sermon is publick in print Then he applied his mind to thinke vpon his travell Now so it was that he had a Parsonage bestowed vpon him by the care of his friends This Parsonage Bishop Tonstall persuaded Mr. Gilpin to keepe still in his hands as meanes to furnish him with allowance for his travell that he might demeane himselfe more honestly and more Gentleman like therein But Gilpin who had reteined this Parsonage but a short while before he would betake himselfe to travell called vnto him a friend whom he knew to be relligious and a scholler and one that would not be idle in the function of the holy Ministry and vnto him he made a resignation of his place but a little while before bestowed vpon himselfe Which thing when Bishop Toâ—stat came to know of he chid with Mr. Gilpin And I saith he haue a care of thee and thou reiectest it as impertinent But I tell thee this before hand that by these courses thou wilt die a begger At the first Gilpin indeavoureth with faire language to appease the mind of the Bishop his especiall good friend Afterwards he added that he had left his Parsonage vpon necessity because he could not keepe it in his hands with any peace of conscience But saith the Bishop thou maist hould it with a dispensation and in this case thou shalt be dispensed withall But answered Gilpin the Divell will not be restrained by any bonds of dispensation from labouring in mine absence the destruction of my people committed to my charge And I feare that when God shaâ—l call me to an account of my stewardship it will not seâ—ue my turne to make answer that I was dispensed withall whiles the Divell made havock of my flock At which answer the Bishop seemed offended but having hereby made triall of the sincerity of Gilpins heart he began to vse him with more and more respect Yet he did often threaten him as Mr. Gilpin was wont to say that Fathers soule a familiar word of the Bishops Gilpâ—n would die a begger In his travell abroad he first visited his brother George at Mechlin who had written vnto him to that purpose then he lived for a while at Lovaine and at Antwerp and at Paris After he was departed out of England he received letters a second time from his brother George whereby he was directed to meet him at Mecâ—lin because he had something to deliver vnto him by word of mouth that he could not conveniently write After they were met Mr. Gilpin vnderstood the reasons why he had sent for him thither to be nothing else but onely to persuade him to take vpon him a Parsonage which might affoord him maintenance while he should visite forraigne Vniversities Gilpin now seemed to himselfe to be in a strait for he knew that he had lately given the Bishop distast vpon this occasion and he perceived that in this matter his brother was put vpon him by the Bishop At last therefore he writes backe to the Bishop in these words The Letter followeth MY very honourable good Lord and most worthy ever to be honoured by me I thought it not fitting â—o conceale from your Lordship that my brother hath written vnto me of late that setting all excuse aside I should giue him meeting at Mechlin because he had something to say vnto me touching very necessary affaires which could not be dispatched by letters When we were met I vnderstood that â—his businesse with me was nothing else but to try me if I would take vpon me a living whiles my selfe in the meane while should remaine a student in the Vniversity But had I knowne before hand that this was the cause of my iourney I should not haue thought it necessary to haue interrupted my studies with going to Mechliâ— For now I confesse I haue discussed it with all the learned but especially with the holy Prophets and with the most auncient and most godly writers since the time of our Saviour so that I am fully resolved so long as I liue never to burden my conscience in this case nor to keepe a living in mine owne charge with condition to liue from it He answered that your Lordship had written vnto him that you would gladly conferre a living vpon me and that your Lordship and mine other friends whereof himselfe was one iudged mee too scrupulous in conscience in this case Whereunto I answered if I be somewhat too scrupulous as I thinke I am not yet it is a matter of that nature that I had rather be little too strict then to giue my conscience too much scope herein Forasmuch as I am once perswaded that I shall not offend God in refusing such a living as I cannot be resident vpon so long as I doe not censure evill of other men as I hope I never shall yea I pray daily for all those who haue the care of soules that they may be able so to giue an account vnto God of the charge committed vnto them as may be most for the glory of God and the edification of his Church He tould me also that your Lordship would not confer any charge vpon me but such a one as should be served as well or perhaps better in mine absence then if I were there my selfe Whereunto I answered that I doubted not but that there might be in England a great number of men farre more able then my selfe to take the cure vpon them And therefore I wish aboue all things that they may retaine both the place and the benefit and feede both the bodies and the soules as I suppose all good Pastors bound in conscience to doe But for mine owne part I cannot in conscience reape benefit from that place wherein another man bestoweth his indeavours For
of that name had done vnadvisedly seeing he had made it an Article of faith And he did further confesse that the Pope had committed a great fault in that touching Indulgences and other things he had taken no better order for the quiet of the Church Afterwards I conferred with Doctor Redman in whom I reposed much hope in regard of his eminent vertues and great schollership He affirmed vnto me that the booke of Common Prayer was an holy booke and agreeable to the Gospell These things cast me into many distractiue thoughts After this one of the fellowes of Queenes Colledge in Oxford told me that he heard Doctour Chedsey saying among his friends that it must come to this point that the Protestants must grant vs a reall presence of Christ in the Sacrament and we likewise giue way vnto them in the opinion of Transubstantiation and so we shall accord Doctor Weston made a long Oration touching the Supper of the Lord to bee administred vnder both kindes Mr. Morgan tolde me that Doctor Warâ— a man most famous for life and learning had affirmed vnto him that the principall sacrifice of the Church of God was the sacrifice of thanksgiving This was his answer when I had demanded of him what could be said for the sacrifice of the Masse The most learned Bishops in this Kingdome at that time confuted the primacy of the Pope both in words and writing Mr. Harding being newly returned home out of Italy in a long and famous oration so plainly set out and painted to the life the Friers and vnlearned Bishops who had met at the Councell of Trent in their greene gownes that it abated in me and in very many others a great deale of that opinion and confidence which we had reposed in Generall Councels These things and many others gaue me occasion diligently to search the Scriptures and the writings of the Fathers whence I had began to obserue very many and very great abuses and some enormities oftentimes vsed and as oft defended in Popery and to iudge reformation necessary on the other part Whiles I went on in this manner I was overruled by the persuasions of some friends to accept of a Parsonage whereunto I was drawne against my will If I offended God in vndertaking the charge before I was a more sufficient scholler and better grounded in Religion I aske God forgiuenesse Nor doe I doubt but I haue obtained mercy in his sight Before I was entred vpon that Parsonage I preacht before King Edward at Greenwich a Sermon which had approbation of many good men The Lord Treasurer being at that time Secretary obtained for me from the King licence as a generall Preacher throughout the Kingdome so long as the King lived which time fell out to be not much aboue the space of halfe a yeare after In my Sermons I handled those points wherein I was best grounded and wherein I was vndoubtedly resolved oâ—t of the Scriptures I examined the Masse and the abuse so farre as I was able to obserue at that time consisted in the too much reverence and grosser worship of the people because I beleeved not Transubstantiation Neverthelesse at some times I read Masse but seldome and privately Then was I forthwith sent beyond the Seas that I might oversee the printiâ—g of my Lord Bishop Tonstall his booke touching the Eucharist with two or three books more as you know at Antwerp where I beheld for the space of three yeares at Paris Antwerp and Lâ—vaâ—nâ— and in some other places very grosse Idolatry This thing did more and more estrange me from the Popish religion most of all because the learneder Papists did in their disputations in schooles deny the adoration of images yet allowed the intolerable abuse thereof in their Churches And now whiles with all earnestnesse I advised with the holy Scriptures and writings of the Fathers I observed many things alienated mine heart from the Popish Church I observed in that Church notable corruptions of the doctrine of the Bible many things in the Sacraments instituted against Scripture some Sacraments lately added In the Sacrament of the Supper the one halfe taken away the fiction of Transubstantiation brought in traditions of the Church made equall to the word of God and to the holy Scriptures and to be imbraced with the same pious affection the worship of Images brought into the Church all things performed in the Church before the people in an vnknowne language but aboue all the rest the question concerning Antichrist troubled me most because it seemed not to me a safe thing to make a seperation from the Popish Church except I were first fully resolved that the Pope is Antichrist and in this point I cannot easily expresse with how many difficulties and distractions I was daily opposed Afterwards I was sent for home againe by the Bishop who conferred vpon me the Rectory of Essiâ—â—don where when I had indeavoured to be constant in preaching I observed that I had vpon a sodaine procured to my selfe many and heavy enemies thereby for I had preached against plurality of Benefices and Non-residency Mine adversaries cryed out that all such as broached that doctrine would prooue hereticks quickly Others were much displeased with me for that I had preached repentance salvation by Christ. They laid to my charge that I did not make whole Sermons about Transubstantiation Purgatory Holy water the worshipping of Images the invocation of Saints and the like which they could never heare come from me And by how much the people were more earnest to resort to my Sermons so much the more eagerly they tooke offence at mee and hated mee A very small matter brought me into danger An honest Matron because in her pangs of childbirth she had often called vpon God was grievously checked by the other good women because she had not called vpon the blessed Virgin To whom she made answer I haue heard saith she a certaine famous Preacher one Gilpin a man that came lately out of France if he will advise me to call vpon the Saints I will take his counsell in that point I tolde them that I durst not persuade any one to invocate the Saints but that those who call onely vpon God for help in all their daâ—gers haue a commandement from God so to doe and a firme promise for the infallible comforting of their conscience This occasion stirred me vp many foes In the meane while I often conversed witâ— learned men my very loving friends and kindred I demanded how it came to paste that there was no reformation of so many abuses touching Images Reliques Pilgrimages buying and selling of Masses and Trentalls with many other errours which in the time of King Edward the Papists had not onely confessed to be superstitious but had promised reformation of them and professed that it was meete the Church should be purged of them which thing they said they would gladly doe if ever the power came into their hands againe When I asked
though any other should teach and preach for me as constantly and industriously as ever Saint Augustine did yet cannot I thinke my selfe discharged by another mans paines-taking But if yet I should be persuaded thus to offer violence to my conscience vpon condition to remaine either here or in any other Vniversity my disquiet of conscience would never permit me to profit in my study At his present I praise God I haue obtained a comfortable privacy in my studies neere to a Monastery of Minorite Friers so that I haue opportunity to make vse of an excellent library of theirs so often as I will I frequent the company of the best schollers nor was I ever more desirous to learne Hereupon being given to vnderstand by my brother George that your Lordship had some thoughts of bestowing a living vpon me which thing might interrupt the course of my studies I emboldened my selfe vpon the experience which I haue had of your Lordships loue towards me to vnlock the closet of my thoughts vnto your goodnesse freely Humbly beseeching that your Lordship will be pleased to permit me to live free from a Pastorall charge that I may the more quietly apply my studies And forasmuch as I vnderstand that your Lordship is sollicitous how I should be provided for if God should call your Lordship who are now well in yeares out of this world I beseech you that the thought thereof may no more disturbe you For if I shall be brought low in meanes I doubt not but in short time to be able to obtaine some lecture either in this Vniversity or else where where I shall not lose my time a course which is much more pleasing vnto me then if I should take vpon me a Pastorall charge I beseech Christ preserue your Lordship From Lovaine the 22. of November 1554. Thus farre Mr. Gilpins Letter Now tell me what one of all those gaping rookes of our time hath indeavoured with more art to acquire theâ— this man to decline a spirituall living At his first comming over into the parts beyond the Seas he resided for the most part at Lovaine afterwards he went to Paris Whiles he abode in Paris Bishop Tonstall was carefull that a certaine booke which himselfe had written at that time concerning the truth of the body blood of Christ our Lord in the Eucharist should be published in print by the diligence of Mr. Gilpin I am not ignorant that some Papists haue obiected to Mr. Gilpin that the same worke was by him corrupted coÌ„trary to the mind of the Author And even in mine hearing when after these things I was a scholler vnder him at Houghtoâ— Francis Wickliff gaue notice vnto Mr. Gilpin what was mattered touching the corrupt edition Whereupon he having disprooved that suspicion by many reasons at the last produced the letters of Cuthbert Tonstall wherein the Bishop gaue him very great thankes because he had beene both faithfull and diligent in the edition of that worke At Paris Mr. Gilpin resided in the house of Vascosâ—nus and conversed with learned men And whiles he asked the opinions of learned men concerning these things which had troubled his minde for the most part they answered him in that manner not as if they regarded the pacification of conscience which he aimed at onely but the establishment of the traditions of the Church At that time was Nealâ— at Paris also with whom Mr. Gilpin dealt somewhat freely that both of them together might ioyne in pursuit of the truth They had by chance some discourse touching the adoration of Images Mr. Gilpin was much troubled hearing the Papists condemne Idolatry in their discourses and yet permitting to the people every where the adoration of Images He demaunded with what comfort of conscience any man could bow himselfe before an Image and is not this saith he the idolatry forbidden in the second commandement This did Mr. Gilpin demand of him the rather because he observed the man a little too much addicted to the Popish opinions Neale answered with that vsuall distinction of an Idol and an Image That the Images of the Saints were not Idols and so consequently that the worshipping of their Images was no idolatry Mr. Gilpin replyed there is no mention of an Idol in the second commandement but there is a prohibition of bowing before a gâ—aven Image or the likenesse of any thing that is in heaven aboue or in the earth beneath or in the waters vnder the earth wheresoever they are we are forbidden to fall downe before the likenesse of them And what saith he maketh an Idol The workeman frameth the similitude of some man the graven Image is not an Idol but adoâ—ation maketh it an Idol Therefore the Apostle saith that an Idol is nothing because there is but one God In the opinion of the person adoring it seemeth to be something but that which the fancy of the party adoring apprehendeth is indced nothing in the world therefore Idolatry is when the worship due to God onely is bestowed vpon the creature But whosoever in prayer boweth downe himselfe before any creature whatsoever giveth vnto the creature the worship due to God alone The commandement of God forbiddeth vs to make vnto our selues any graven Image or the likenesse of any creature But they make it vnto themselues who make it for a religious vse We are also forbidden to bow downe ourselues before any such creature for those who doe so doe serue and worship the same creature And in this place that distinction of Laâ—râ—a and Doulâ—â— is frivolous which are words of the same signification forasmuch as that distinction is taken away by the express words of the commandement Thou shalt not bow down vnto them So that bowing downe vnto them is forbidden notwithstanding we see it practised every where To this Neale answereth that the ordinances of the Church are not to be altered without mature deliberation Gilpin replyeth that it is not in ourpower to alter the ordinances of the Church But seeing I cannot alter things already determined in the Church it remaineth that I especially indeavour to charge my selfe and to draw neere to the sincere worship of God as his grace shall inable me Mr. Gilpin did often professe that when he lived amongst the Papists he had observed many things which had estranged his heart from that religion He vnderstood that a mans chiefest comfort consisted in the Article of iustification which Article he saw so obscured in Popery that true consolation was vtterly excluded Therefore he did with all diligence enquire into the Scriptures and writings of the Fachers Returning into England in the dayes of Queene Mary he beheld to his great griefe the Church oppressed with blood and fire and being placed by Bishop Tonstall in the Rectory of Essingdon he began to preach the word of God and sharply to taxe some vices which then raigned in the Church He propounded the doctrine of salvation plainly and soundly which thing procured him
any more This desolation of the Church and ignorance of the common sort much troubled the holy heart of Mr. Gilpin He therefore purposed with himselfe with asmuch care and vigilancy as he could not to make vp the breach wholy for that was a thing impossible for him to dooe but to doe this owne duty to the best of his indeauours that the truth may be propagated and God glorified This desolation of the congregations appeared most of all in Northumbâ—rland and the ports adioyning which are called Riddesdale and Tindale For in these quarters especially in that time the word of God was neuer heard of to be preached amongst them but by Mr. Gilpins Ministry So that once a yeare it was his custome to make a iourney amongst them For which purpose he would vsually take the opportunity of Christmas Holidayes when in respect of frost and snowe other men were loth to travell That time he liked best because then there came many Holy-dayes together the people would more vsually assemble vpon the Holy-dayes whereas at other times they neither would come together so easily nor so often He got himselfe a great deale of estimation and respect amongst this people both by preaching and by distribution of monies to the poore in his Iourney being sometimes benighted before he was well aware and forced to lodge in the snowe all night In which extremity he commanded William Airy who for the most part attended vpon him to troâ—t the horses vp and downe and neither to permit them nor himselfe to stand still whiles he himselfe in the meane while did bestirre himselfe sometimes running sometimes walking as not able to stand still for could At home his daily care was for the discharge of his Ministry and provision for the poore Now there was in this towne of Houghton a streete of poore people for their releife he tooke order that every Thursday through the yeare a very great pot should be providedfull of boyled meat purposely for the poore And not at Houghton alone but even wheresoever oppoâ—tunity presented it selfe he was carefull for the poore insomuch that by the common consent of the Country people he was stiled a father of the poore Vpon a time as he was returning home vpon a iourney there was a certaine husbandman at plow in whose teame of horse one vpon a sodaine fell downe whether with being overwrought or vpon some disease it is vncertaine The husbandman and those who were with him did their best to raise the horse againe with all the strength they had but it was in vaine for the horse was dead Mr. Gilpin passing by accidentally stayed to obserue the issue of the matter And perceiving that the horse could not be raised againe and that the husbandman was exceedingly grieved for the death of his beast and that he cryed out he was even vndone by that miserable accident he commanded his man to alight from the horse he had vnder him and patiently to carry the saddle and bridle to the next towne and to giue to the poore man the horse whereon he rode The husbandman thereupon cryed out Alas Sir I am not able to pay you the price of so good an horse Be of good cheare saith Mr. Gilpin thou shalt never pay me for him till I demand it in the meane while goe on with thy worke Yea and many a time as he travailed was he accustomed thus to help poore men When at any time he chanced to meete any naked poore he would put off part of his apparrell to cover their nakednesse and at his table he vsually fed many poore persons When that blessed Queene Elizabeth of never dying memory after the direfull times of her sisters Raigne came to the Crowne the scarsity of learned men who were able to preach the word of God mooved not onely many religious persons but even the very Counsell of the Queene to seeke a salue for this sore by all the meanes they could Mr. Gilpin observing the laudable endeavours of many in relieving the Churches want in this kinde himselfe also was exceeding studious to doe what good he could possibly in his owne charge Whereupon he began to conceiue thoughts of a seminary of good literature or a Grammer-schoole and builded a schoole allowing maintenance for a Master and Vsher. Himselfe also made choice out of the same schoole of such as he likedâ—best to be privately instructed by himselfe Which resolution of his much benefited Mr. Gilpnn himselfe and the whole Church of God all England over For in that schoole of his were bred very many learned men who very much graced the Church by their indeavours and vprightnesse of life There was great resort of schollers to that schoole of his many of whom were boorded in the towne and many at Mr. Gilpins house He boorded the sonnes of Knights and Esquires at a small rate those who were of his kindred were free yea and he had many poore mens sonnes vpon whom he bestowed both meate and drinke and cloth and education Whereby Mr. Gilpins schoole was every where spoken of to his credit but himselfe much more Out of this schoole of his he sent daily very many to both Vniversities vnto divers whereof he also allowed maintenance in the Vniversity at his owne cost and charges And now while he was wholly taken vp with these imployments glory and reputation which followeth him that flyeth from it and flyeth from him that had pursued it had made the name of Mr. Gilpin most renowned insomuch that he was vvas not onely honoured among the Fathers of the Clergy but amongst all the Nobility of the Kingdome Amongst the Nobles at Court the Earle of Bedford vvas one that marvelously respected Mr. Gilpin This Earle earnestly desired of the Queene that the Bishoprick of Carlile at that time vacant vpon the death of Owen Oglethorpe should be bestovved vpon Mr. Gilpin and obtained it And thereupon the Earle dispatcheth his letters to Mr. Gilpin to gather that povver of election vvhich is termed Congedesâ—ier Mr. Gilpin receiving the letters together vvith the Congedeslier sent back a messenger out of hand vvith letters to the Earle vvherein having returned all hearty thaâ—kes to the Queene and to the Earle he humbly beseecheth the Earle to be mediatour to the Queene for him and to get him excused as concerning the Bishoprick alledging that he was best acquainted with his owne strength and conscious to himselfe of his owne insufficiency for the discharge of so great a place if in the meane-while he could be any other way serviceable to the Church he would be diligent and carefull in some meaner imployment At that time was Edwin Sandes Bishop of Worcester a man venerable for his approved wisdome learning and holinesse of life who vvas aftervvards translated to London and thence to Yorke This Bishop hapned to be in London at the same time when the Earle of Bedford was busy about the preferring of Mr. Gilpin to a Bishoprick and he
either by the persuasion of the Earle or out of the intire loue which he bore to Mr. Gilpin for he was neere a kin vnto him dispatched letters to Mr. Gilpin whereby he persuadeth him to accept of and to keep the Bishoprick thus offered The Letter was found amongst Mr. Gilpins papers in these words MY much and worthily respected Coozen having regard vnto the good of the Church of Christ rather then to your ease I haue by all the good meanes I could beene carefull to haue this charge imposed vpon you which may be both an honour to your selfe and a benefit to the Church of Christ. My true report concerning you hath so prevailed with the Queenes Maiesty that she hath nominated you Bishop of Carlile I am not ignorant that your inclination rather delighteth in the peaceable tranquility of a private life But if you looke vpon the estate of the Church of England with a respectiue eye you cannot with a good conscience refuse this charge imposed vpon you so mâ—ch the lesse because it is in such a place as wherein no man is found fitter then your selfe to deserue well of the Church In which respect I charge you before God and as you shall answer to God herein that setting all excuses aside you refuse not to assist your Country and to doe service to the Church of God to the vttermost of your power In the meane while I giue you to vnderstand that the said Bishoprick is to be left vnto you vntouched neither shall any thing of it be diminished as in some others it is a custome but bou shall receiue the Bishopricke entire as Doctor Oglethorp hath left it Wherefore exhorting and charging you to be obedient to Gods call herein and not to neglect the duty of your owne calling I commend both yourselfe and the whole businesse of the divine providence In hast At London the fourth day of Aprill 1560. Your kinsman and Brother EDVVIN WORCESTER Mr. Gilpin returneth thankes to the reverend Bishop his kinseman But as touching the Bishoprick he desireth to be excused and in that resolution he became vnmooueable And many there were who thought him blameworthy because he had so stiffely reiected a Bishoprick But amongst some Mr. Gilpins reputation seemed to grow greater by this refusall then if he had accepted the offer I remember that I my selfe haue heard him discoursing amongst his friends touching this occasion when one of them asked him vpon what grounds he had so stiffely refused a Bishoprick to whom he made answer that he refused not so much the Bishopricke as the inconvenience of the place For saith he if I had beene chosen in this kinde to any Bishopricke elsewhere I would not haue refused it but in that place I haue beene willing to avoide the trouble of it seeing I had there many of my freinds and kindred at whom I must conniue in many thinges not without hurt to my selfe or else deny them many thinges not without offence to them which difficulties I haue easily avoided by refusall of that Bishopricke Vpon this refusall of Mr. Gilpins Doctor Iohn Bâ—st a learned and religious man was made choice of for the place but whether he had it conferred vpon him vpon the same termes at it was proffered to Mr. Gilpin that no diminution should be made of any part thereof that I know not Not long after this his refusall of that Bishoprick he was set vpon by another request to witt that he would take vpon him to be Provost of Queenes Colledge in Oxford wherevnto he was chosen or at least he would be pleased to nominate som other for that place who might be a good and fitting man for the same There was a letter written vnto him by Thomas Francies to this purpose COmmendations premised c. Seeing I haue a resolution to relinquish this place which I now hould in Queens Colledge in Oxford being heartily desirous that some vertuous godly and learned man and such a one as by the statutes of the Colledge shall be fit may bee chosen to the place I haue thought good once more to to make a tender of the same vnto you which if it shall please you to accept I shall be ready vpon the receit of your letters to that purpose to advertise the Fellowes thereof whom I know to be marvailously well inclined towards you But if so great a trouble with so small a maintenance for so I may truely terme this burthen doe noâ— giue you content I intreat your aduice and direction as a friend to nominate me a man vnto whom I may resigne the place such an one as your selfe shall know to be a man fitting and one who may and ought to be chosen I shall gladly be directed by you so scone as I shall vnderstand your mind by your letters which I pray you be carefull to send me wiâ—h all convenient speed In hast from Oxford the 17 of December 1561. What answer Mr. Gilpin returned to this message I doe not finde but it is manifest that he refused the offer of that preferment For against all the intreaties of friends in these kindes he remained constant and vnmouable as the Poet spoke of King Latinus I I le velâ—t pelagi rupes immoâ—arâ—sistit Mooved no more Then Rocke on shore ANd all this while Mr. Gilpin seemed even to supply the place of a Bishop by preaching by taking care of the poore and by making provision for the necessity of other Churches by erecting of schooles and by accommodating men learned and fitting for the holy function of the Ministry As for Mr. Gilpins house it was like vnto a very Monastery if a man consider a Monastery such as were those in the times or Saint Augustine but not such as these latter ages haue brought forth William Lord Cecill Baron of Burghtey principall Secretary to the Queene being sent into Scotland about affaires of State in his returne homewards being drawne with the fame of Mr. Gilpin came to Houghton and visited him Mr. Gilpin entertayneth him with all respects and due rites of hospitallity When the Lord Ceciâ—â— had well observed Mr. Gilpin and had approoved the extraordinary curtesie of the man and had tooke notice of such dilligence and abundance of all things with so compleat service in the entertainment of so great a stranger and so vnlooked for a guest being now ready to depart thence he spoke on this wise that he had heard much be the report of others touching Mr. Gilpin but what he now had seene and tried was much more then that which he had formerly heard Therefore speaking in very friendly manner to Mr. Gilpin he said Sir if you haue any occasion or suite at Court or before the Counsell I pray you to make vse of me as a mediator for you The honourable Baron being returned towards Durham when he came to the hill called Raiâ—ton hill reflecting his eye vpon the whole champion Country which he had now passed he
looked backe very earnestly both vpon Mr. Gilpins house and the scituation thereof and vseth these words I doe not blame this man saith he for refusing a Bishopricke for what doth he want that a Bishopricke could more enrich him withall Besides that he is free from the greater waight of cares Mr. Gilpin did not omit to visite the people of Ridsdale and Tindalâ— once every yeare Amongst whom he was esteemed a very Prophet and little lesse then adored by that halfe barbarous rustiâ—k people It happened by chance that whiles Mr. Gilpin preacht amongst them a certaine good-fellow had stolne away Mr. Gilpins horses vpon the missing whereof there is Hue and Cry raised through the Country that Mr. Gilpins horses were stolne and must be searched for with all possible diligence The fellow who had stolne them so soone as he heare that they were Mr. Gilpins horses for he knew not whose they were when he took them away was in great feare and trembling The theft did not much trouble his conscience but when he heard the name of Mr. Gilpin it cast hin into trouble and distraction of heart Therefore in much trembling and with all the speede he could he brought backe Mr. Gilpins horses and humly craved the pardon and benediction of Father Gilpin and protested that after it came to his knowledge that they were Mr. Gilpins horses he was afraid to be thrust downe quicke into Hell if hee should doe him any wrong Vppon a time when Mr. Gilpin was in these parts at a towne called Rothbury there was a pestilent faction amongst some of them who were wont to resort to that Church The men being bloodily minded practised a bloody manner of revenge termed by them Deadly-feod If the faction on the one side did perhaps come to the Church the other side kept away because they were not accustomed to meet to gether without bloodshed Now so it was that when Mr. Gilpin was in the pulpit in that Church both parties came to Church in the presence of Mr. Gilpin and both of them stood the one of them in the vpper part of the Church or Chancell the other in the body thereof armed with swords and iavelins in their hands Mr. Gilpin somewhat moved with this vnaccustomed spectacle goeth on neverthelesse in his Sermon and now a second time their weapons make a clashing sound and the one side drew neerer to the other so that they were in danger to fall to blowes in the middest of the Church Herevpon Mr. Gilpin commeth downe from the pulpit and stepping to the ringleaders of either faction first of all he appeased the tumult Next he labowreth to establishe peace betwixt them but he could not prevaile in that onely they promised to keepe the peace vnbroken so long as Mr. Gilpin should remaine in the Church Mr. Gilpin seeing he could not vtterly extinguish the hatred which was now inveterate betwixt them desired them that yet they would forbeare hostility so long as he should remaine in those quarters and this they consented vnto Mr. Gilpin therevpon goeth vp into the pulpit againe for he had not made an end of his Sermon and spent the rest of the allotted time which remained in in disgracing that barbarous and bloody custome of theirs and if it were possible in the vtter banishing of it for ever So often as Mr. Gilpin came into those parts afterwardes if any man amongst them stood in feare of a deadly foe he resorted vsually where Mr. Gilpin was supposing himselfe more safe in his company then if he went with a guard Vpon a certaine Lords-day Mr. Gilpin comming to a Church in those parts before the people were assembled and walking vp and down therein espied a gloue hanged on high in the Church Wherevpon he demanded of the Sexton what should be the meanning thereof and wherefore it hanged in that place The Sexton maketh answer that it was a gloue of one of the Parish who had hanged it vp there as a challenge to his enemy signifiing thereby that he was ready to enter combate with his enemy hand to hand or with any one else who should dare to take downe that challenge Mr. Gilpin requested the Sexton by some meanes or other to take it down Not I Sir replied the Sexton I dare doe no such thing But said Mr. Gilpin if thou wilt but bring me hither a long staffe I will take it downe my selfe and so when a long stafe was brought Mr. Gilpin tooke downe the gloue and put it vp in his bosom By and by came the people to Church in abundance and Mr. Gilpin when he saw his time went vp into the pulpit In his Sermon â—e took occasion to reprooue these in humaâ—e challenges and rebuked them sharpely for that custome which they had of making challenges by the hanging vp of a gloue I heare saith he that there is one amongst you who even in this sacred place hath hanged vp a gloue to this purpose threatneth to enter into combate with whosoever shall take it downe Behold I haue taken it downe my selfe and at that word plucking out the gloue shewed it openly and then instructed them how vnbeseeming those barbarous conditions were for any man that professed himselfe a Christian and so laboured to perswade them to a reconciliation and to the practise of mutuall loue and charity amongst themselues After his Sermon it was his custome to distribute money amongst the poorer sorte and many times to visit them who were imprisoned and after he had preached vnto them in prison to bestow money largely amongst the prisoners many of whom hee brought home to repentance for their former passed life and to honest conversation and for many who were condemned to die he procured pardon and saued their liues When we were children a rebellion was raised in the North by the Earles of Northumberland and Cumberland Which Mr Gilpin perceiued before hand by certaine evident signes And because he vnderstood that in so trouble-some a time he should want power to defend himselfe and his owne he conceived thoughts of going aside for a while Therefore after a speech made to the Maisters and Schollers that they should demeane themselues carefully and peaceably vntill his returne himselfe went to Oxford residing there vntill the Queens Army vnder the command of the Earle of Suffâ—x should make speed to Durham for discomfiture of the rebels The rebels were now within Durham but at the report of the Queens Army they dispersed themselues and fled After they were put to flight there was sharpe and cruell proceedings against the simpler sort whom the rebels had drawne to their faction vnder pretence of seruing the Queene for the silly people were sollicited as for the Queenes service the rebels in all places giuing it out that they stood for the Queene During the time that the rebels had possession of Durham with their Army Masse was sung in the Cathedrall Church day by day some of them flew out
distracted me but troubled nine or ten more who were sworne with me men farre better schollers then my selfe For my part â— resolved to be sworne to no writings but with this exception so farre onely as they are agreeable to the word of God Now how much it distressed my minde that an oath should be exacted in doubtfull caâ—es I haue explainâ—d in another discourse for the quiet of my conscience And this I may boldly say that since â— tooke the â—â—urse to explaine mine infirmities by writing not fearing who tooke notice of them so that it might benefit my selfe or others I haue found exceeding peace and quiet of consciâ—nce and â— am day by day more edified and consumed by the reading of Scripture And in this case â— praise God that when I found my selfe most distressed and weake my faith in the mercies of God was so firme as â— assure my selfe that if at that very instant I should die yet I haue had aâ—d doe retaine that confidence that these distractions could nothing hindâ—r my salvation I am resolved with St. Pâ—â—l I 〈◊〉 obtained mercy for I did it igâ—orantly and vvith Iob Although the Lord kill me yet will I trust in him Yet I haue full many a time asked God mercy for these offences infirmities ignorances and all other things and will ever doe so whiles I shall liue in this world God be mercifull vnto vs all Thus farre Mr. Gilpin THou seest Reader Mr. Gilpins vpright dealing He speaketh nothing of his owne vertues but he is wholly taken vp with the acknowledgement and enumeration of his weaknesses Perhaps some Criticks will laugh at the simplicity of the man but I herein admire his Apostolick spirit who after the example of blessed Paul dare not boast of himselfe but boasteth in his infirmities that Christ may dwell in him Neverthelesse howsoever he is wholly taken vp with declaration of his owne infirmities and hath of set purpose spoke nothing of his owne vertues yet this is apparant that he was twice accused by his back-friends to Bishop Tonstall in the dayes of Queene Mary But Bishop Tonstall who abhorred to shed blood was a sweet defence to Mr. Gilpin against the divers informations of his enemies At the last he was accused to Bâ—nner Bishop of London who gaue order to a Messenger for his apprehension Mr. Gilpin perceived the imminent danger for he had notice that a Messenger was dispatched to attach his body and perceiving the reliefe which he had found in Tonstalls clemency would now faile him he prepared his holy soule for Martyrdome commanding William Airy the Steward of his house to provide him a long garment that he might goe the more comely to the stake But the sodaine death of Queene Mary freed the man from this danger After the publication of the Councell of Trent when by chance there happened some discourse betwixt Mr. Gilpin and Thomas Levery and Levery had asked the question what Mr. Gilpin thought touching that Councell The Fathers of the Councell of Trent saith he haue done the Church a very shrewd turne for that which was indifferent before times they leaue not so now I remember that Bishop Tonstall often tolde me that Pope Innâ—cent the third had done very vnadvisedly in that he had made the opinion of Transubstantiation an Article of faith seeing in former times it was free to holde or refuse that opinion Moreover the Bishop tolde me that he did not doubt but that himselfe if he had beene in that Councell could haue prevailed with the Pope to haue let that businesse alone And what he iudged concerning Transubstantiation the same may a man resolue touching all Popery after the publication of the Councel of Trent for that which was indifferent before now they doe not suffer so to be Therefore I suppose that the times of our forefathers though oppressed with much ignorance were happier farre then the ensuing Ages can be vnder the Papists because they haue now altered in the Councel of Trent many institutions of the auncient Church For whereas they haue placed a part of the rule of faith in Traditions that is a thing which was never done in the Church before Many things which were permitted to be taught in the Church formerly touching Iustification and the Sacraments are not now tolerated And vpon these occasions the Fathers of the Councel of Trent haue laid vpon other Churches a necessity of making a seperation from the Church of Rome wherein me thinks that they haue not dealt advisedly For the Church is thereby distracted into differences and factions and whatsoever was formerly indifferent in doubtfull points the Fathers of Trenâ— haue made it all necessary and tooke vpon them a very hard taske There were some Papists who perceiving Mr. Gilpin quite alienated from the Popish religion which he had first beene of in the dayes of his ignorance in his youth tooke many courses to haue recalled him if they could possibly Amongst them was one Thomas Gelthrop a man well descended and a kinsman of Mr. Gilpins This man wrote a letter to Mr. Gilpin wherein he dealt earnestly with him not to forsake the religion of his forefathers In that letter Gelthrop amongst other things inserted these words You haue a great and a good report both at London and in all other places And I am of this opinion that either you will doe the Church a great deale of good if you adhere vnto it or else which God forbid you will stirre vp more mischiefe in the Church then ever Arrius did That sinne aboundeth it is not the fault of the Masse or of the Mattins but the pernicious doctrine and filthy life of the Clergy and of others They haue already reformed the Communion and haue published a booke of the reformed Leiturgy But this reformation hath not removed the evill because we see the people growne farre worse then before These things I found out amongst M. Gilpins papers but I could not possibly get any more out of them the most of them were so exceeding worne and defaced Vnto this letter Mr. Gilpin made answer which I found entire The Letter had this superscription To his Coozen THOMAS GELTHROP And thus it was GRace and peace Your large Letter was brought vnto me when I had small leisure to answer it as he can tell you who bringeth back this vnto you Howbeit I thought it not fit to let him come back without an answer albeit the conclusion of your letter gaue me small incouragement to write For who would take the paines to write vnto you seeing you are fully resolved and determined as you affirme never to be perswaded from your opinions by any argument a man can bring It could not chuse but be a most grieuous thing to the Prophet Ieremy vvhen he cryed out to the people Hear the word of the Lord that they should ansvver vvith a stiffe necke we will not heare But let vs leaue these things to the divine operation vvhich is
He made answer that he came out of Wales and that he was bound for Oxford with intent to be a scholler Mr. Gilpin examineth the youth and findeth him a prompt scholler in the Latine and that he had a little smattering of the Greeke And wilt thou saith Mr. Gilpin be contented to goe with me I will provide for thee The youth was contented whereupon Mr. Gilpin tooke him along with him first to Oxford afterwards to Houghton where he profited exceedingly both in Greeke and Hebrew whom Mr. Gilpin at the last sent to Cambridge And this was that famous Hugh Broâ—ghton so exceeding apt in learning the Greeke and Hebrew but a man of a most inconstant nature For when Mr. Gilpin grew olde whether it was in expectation of Mr. Gilpins Parsonage or for some other cause it is reported that he procured Mr. Gilpin to be troubled and molested by the Bishop of Durham Now so it fell out that whiles the Bishops minde began to be turned from Mr. Giâ—pin the Bishop sendeth vnto him and giveth him notice that it is his pleasure to have him to preach at a visitation in time and place appointed Which thing fell out at the very same instant when Mr. Gilpin was preparing for his accustomed Northerne journey to wit amongst them of Riddesdale and Tiâ—dale wherefore he dispatched his servant vnto the Bishop to make his excuse vnto him and to informe his Lordship the reason of his purposed journey and to intreat the Bishop that he be pleased to appoint some other to preach at the visitation seeing there were many who would be willing enough to preach at the visitation but that there was not a man who would performe that duty among those borders if he neglected it and that at any other time he would be ready to performe his duty The servant having beene with the Bishop returneth to his Master who demanded of him whether hee had made his excuse to the Bishop I haue faith he well and what saith Mr. Gilpin was the Bishops answer Whereunto the servant answered the Bishop made no reply but held his peace Qui tacet consentâ—re vâ—detur saith Mr. Gilpin He that replyeth not seemes to consent Therefore Mr. Gilpin went on with his purposed progresse Which thing so soone as the Bishop vnderstood he presently suspended Mr. Gilpin from all Ecclesiasticall imployment Mr. Gilpin returning home findeth himselfe suspended a thing that he little dreamed of yet he tooke it patiently The Bishop having notice that Mr. Gilpin was returned home sendeth vnto him instantly warning him to meete him and the rest of the Clergy at Chester M. Gilpin being come to Chester findeth there the Bishop with many of the Clergy who were all commanded to assemble themselues in the Church The Bishop had at that time a brother of his owne one Iohn Barnes who was his Chancellour a man of whom it is hard to say whether he was more lustfull or more covetoâ—s who whereas he should haue beene the man that ought to haue reformed many enormities in the Diocesse was indeed the authour of them permitting base and dishonest persons to escape â—cotfree for a piece of money so that the Bishop had a very ill report every where When they were all met together the Bishop calleth Mr. Gilpin vnto him and saith Mr. Gilpin I must haue you preach to day Mr. Gilpin desired to be excused for I came not saith he provided and moreover I am suspended But I can free you saith the Bishop from that suspension and doe now free you Mr. Gilpin replyed that he durst not goe vp into the pulpit vnprovideâ— But we know saith the Bishop that you are never vnprovided for you haue now gotten such an habit of preaching that you are able to performe it if you please even vpon the sodaine Mr. Gilpin remained vnmooveable in his resolution answering that God was not so to be tempted saying that it was well with him if he were able to performe any thing in this kinde vpon mature deliberation Whereunto the Bishop replyed I command you vpon your Canonicall obedience to goe vp into the pulpit forthwith Mr. Gilpin delaying the time a little while answered Well sir seeing it can be none otherwise your Lordships will be done and after a little pause began his sermon As hee was in his sermon hee observed some extraordinarily prepared who wrote all he spoke But yet hee proceedeth in his sermon vntill he came to a word of exhortation and reprehension of vices At the last he proceeded to the reproofe of those enormities which then raigned in that Diocesse and were every where spoken of And now saith he Reverend Father my speech must be directed to your Fatherhood God hath exalted you to be Bishop of this Diocesse and God requireth an account of your government therof a reformation of all those matters which are amisse in this Church is expected at your hands and an account thereof is required And now lest perhaps while it is apparant that so many enormities are committed every where your Lordship should make answer that you had no notice of them given you neither did these things ever come to your knowledge which words Mr. Gilpin used because hee knew well enough that this was the Bishops vsuall answer that whensoever men made any complaints against the evill government of the Chancellour the Bishop was accustomed to say alas these things I never knew of what is done can not be vndone I will take a better order in these matters hereafter if any such shall come to my knowledge Beholde said Mr. Gilpin I bring these things to your knowledge this day Let not your Lordship say these crimes haue beene committed by the fault of others without your knowledge for whatsoever either your selfe shall doe in person or suffer through your connivency to be done by others is wholly your owne Therefore in the presence of God his Angels and men I pronounce your Fatherhood to be the authour of all these evills yea and in that strict day of the generall account I shall be a witnes to testifie against you that all these things haue come to your knowledge by my meanes and all these men shall beare witnesse hereof who haue heard me speaking vnto you this day Now whiles that Mr. Gilpin thundered out these things hee did thereby put all his friends into a great feare and distrust what would become of him Therefore when he had made an end of his Sermon his friends came about him and tolde him with teares that now at last the Bishop had gotten that advantage against him which hee had long desired and sought for you haue say they put a sword into his hand to slay you if heretofore he hath beene offended with you without a cause what may you now expect from him who being provoked shall make vse of his owne power to injure you by right or wrong To whom Mr. Gilpin made answer saying be not afraid The Lord God
many back friends especially among the Clergy whose faults he had touched to the quick There was at that time among the Clergy of the Bishoprick of Durham one Tonstall Parson of a Church in that Diocesse This man was very hot against Gilpin accused him often to the Bishop as an heretick and one that deserved to be burnt as other hereticks were But the Bishop could not indure to shed blood and therefore dealt mildly with him and preserved him from the proiects of his enemies I haue heard Anthony Carleton relate and he at that time lived in the Bishops house that the Bishops Chaplains at a certaine time had some discourse with Gilpin about Luther and that one of them had asked him what hee thought of Luther and his writings Gilpin confessed that had not read the writings of Luther I propounded vnto my selfe said he this course first of all to search the Scriptures diligently and to be acquainted with the expositions of the Fathers vpon them As for the writings of the Neoterickes I haue onely looked vpon them howbeit I refuse them not when and where they agree with the Auncients One of them commended Mr. Gilpins resolution and said it would be well with the Church if all men would duely respect the writings of the Fathers for then the vpstart opinions of late writers would not so much disturbe the Church such as are of these of Luther But Gilpin answered if Neoterickes and late writers produce the opinions of the auncient Fathers the novelty of the men is not to be disdained but the antiquity of the doctrine is to be reverenced They hereupon subtilly draw on Gilpin into a disputation concerning the Sacrament of the Altar propounding therein two questions the one concerning the Reall presence the other concerning Transubstantiation Touching the Reall presence Gilpin confessed that he had no very strong Argument wherewith in his iudgement he might oppose the Reall presence For I suppose saith he that therein lieth hid a great mystery such a one as is aboue my capacity rather to be adored then disputed vpon They asked then what he thought of Transubstantiation He answered that there was no necessity why we should beleeue those things which haue no solid foundation in the word of God Doe you not then beleeue said they as the Church beleeues Gilpin replyeth that the Church had not alwayes held that as an Article of faith I am saith he of the Catholick faith and the Catholick faith changeth not But in this point I see alterations such as the Catholicke faith is not capable of They demanded what alterations in faith he had observed touching the Sacrament of the Altar He replyeth I doe not finde that in the Church in former ages there was any thing spoken or writen about Transubstantiation Peter Lumbard was either the first or at least one of the first that brought in the alteration of the auncient faith And what doe you your selues thinke Is the bread in Transubstantiation converted into the flesh and blood of Christ They answer that they beleeue so absolutely But saith Gilpin Peter Lumbard who was the first man that made an alteration of the faith of our forefathers in this point himselfe did not beleeue as you doe For in his fourth booke the eleuenth distinction F. thus he hath it there is no Transubstantiation but of bread into flesh and wine into blood And if that be true then doubtlesse it followes consequently that in the Transubstantiation of the bread there is no blood And now saith he how will you reconcile these thinges They stood at a stand as hauing nothing to answer because the words of Lumbard plainely deny that in the Transubstantiated bread can be any blood or in the wine his flesh Whom when Gilpin had obserued to stagger in this point take notice now saith he of the immutabillity of the Catholicke faith we see the alteration of Transubstantiation For when Lumbard had broached this doctrine that there was a kinde of change he would haue it non otherwise vnderstood then thus that the bread onely should be changed into flesh and the wine onely into blood Nor did men at that time dreame of any other conversion in the Sacrament of the Altar vntill the fiction of concomitancy was broached by Thomas Aquinas He was a man that vnderstood well the difficulty of this point and therefore he vnderpropped it with Concomiâ—ancy that forsooth by reason of Coâ—comitancy there is both flesh and blood in the Transubstantiated bread But these are the inventions of later men whereas the Catholicke relligion abhorreth invented alterations in matters of faith While they were houlding this disputation without speakeing aloud because they were close at the Bishops backe who at that time sate before the fire for it was in the winter season the Bishop leaned his chaire somewhat backwards and harkened what they said And when they had done speaking the Bishop turning to his Chaplaines vseth these words Fathers soule let him alone for he hath more learning then you all Whilest he liued at Essingdon he preached the word of God constantly to the people Now so it was that the Archdeaconry of Durham was annexed to the rectory of Essingdon Therevpon Mr. Gilpin for a time supplyed both places And when by chance he had notice that the Bishop was so carefull of him that he had a purpose to encrease his maintenance he made answer that he was provided for sufficiently and even somewhat more then sufficient already and desired the Bishop that he might haue his good leaue to resigne either the Rectory or the Archdeacons place for saith he the one of them will be sufficient me thinkes both together are to heauie a burthen for me Hereat ihe Bishop seemed to be mooued with him and said haue nor I tould thee before hand that thou wilt die a begger I found them both combined and combined I will leaue them Not long after he bestowed vpon Mr. Gilpin the Rectory of Houghton being a very large Parish contayning 14. Villages with very large possessions Mr. Gilpin being setled at Houghton persevered most constantly in the duties of the Ministry and repaired the decayed houses His Parsonage house seemed like a Bishops Pallace nor shall a man lightly finde one Bishops house amongst many worthy to be compared to this house of his if he consider the variety of buildings and neatnesse of the sâ—ituation Whiles Mr. Gilpin liued at Houghton he was touched with a care not of that parish onely but of many more for he sawe and was much greiued to see many congregations through the distast of impropriation as they call it to be even dispersed and destitute of Pastors For the parsonages being in the possession of Laymen there remained not maintenance for a Minister for the Lay-men sought out for poore base preistes who were onely able to read prayers to the people morning and evening nor did the one vse to require or they take care to performe