eucharist should be administered in both kinds, and Mr Morgan, a third brother Oxonian, told him, that Dr Ware, a man most famous for life and learning, had affirmed to him, that the principal sacrifice of the church of GOD was the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Mr Gilpin further observed, that the most learned bishops at that time confuted the primacy of the pope both in words and writing. And to conclude, one Harding, being newly returned home out of Italy, in a long and famous oration so plainly set out and painted to the life the friars and unlearned bishops, who had met at the council of Trent in their green gowns, 'that it abated in him, as well as in many others, a great deal of that opinion and confidence, which they had reposed in general councils.

Hence continuing his diligence in searching the scrip tures and the fathers, he began to observe many great abuses, and some enormities in popery, and to think Reformation necessary.

Whilst he was going on in this course, having taken holy orders from the bishop of Oxford, he was over-ruled by the persuasions of his friends to accept, against his will, of the vicarage of Norton in the diocese of Durham. This was in 1552, and being a grant from king Edward VI. before he went to reside, he was appointed to preach before his majesty, who was then at Greenwich. His sermon was greatly approved, and recommended him to the notice of many persons of the first rank, particularly to Sir Francis Russel and Sir Robert Dudley, afterwards earl of Bedford and Leicester, and to secretary Cecil, afterwards lord treasurer Burleigh, who obtained for him the king's licence for a general preacher during his majesty's life, which however happened to be not much above the space of half a year after. Thus honoured he repaired to his parish, entered upon the duties of it, and, as occasion required, made use of the king's licence in other parts of the country. But here he soon grew uneasy: However resolved as he was against popery, he was scarcely settled in some of his religious opinions; he found the country overspread with popish doctrines, the errors of which he was unable to oppose. In this unhappy state he applied to bishop Tonstall (then in the Tower.) That prelate advised him to provide a trusty curate for his parish, and spend a year or two abroad in conversing with some of the most eminent professors on both sides the question. The proposal was just Mr Gilpin's own wish with regard to travelling abroad, which he therefore resolved upon, but,

at

at the same time, determined to resign his living, as he accordingly did, to a person very deserving of it. This done, he set out for London to receive the bishop's last orders and embark.

His resignation gave his lordship much concern: It was done out of a scruple of conscience very uncommon, and which the bishop could see no foundation for, since he could have procured him a dispensation. However, after some words of advice to look better to his interest, he was reconciled, promised to support him abroad, and at parting put into his hands a treatise upon the eucharist, which the times not suiting to be printed here, he desired might be done under his inspection at Paris. With this charge. he embarked for Holland, and upon landing went immediately to Malin to visit his brother George, who was then a student there. But after a few weeks he went to Louvain, which he pitched on for his residence, proposing to make occasional excursions to Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, and other places in the Netherlands. Louvain was then one of the chief places for students in divinity: some of the most eminent divines on both sides of the question resided there; and the most important topics of religion were discussed with great freedom. Our Author made the best use of his time, soon began to have juster notions of, and greater satisfaction in the doctrine of the Reformed; when he was alarmed with the news of K. Edward's death, and the accession of Q. Mary to the throne.

However, this bad news came attended with an agreeable account of bishop Tonstall's release from the Tower, and re-establishment in his bishopric. But the consequence of this was not so agreeable; for afterwards he received a letter from his brother George, inviting him to Antwerp upon a matter of great importance. Coming thither he found the business was a request of the bishop's to persuade our Author to accept of a living of considerable value, which was become vacant in his diocese. George used all his endeavours for the purpose, but in vain. Bernard was too well pleased with his present situation to think of a change, and excused himself to his patron on the same scruple of conscience as before, against taking the profits, while another did the duty. "And whereas, (con"cludes he,) I know well your lordship is careful how I "should live, if GOD should call your lordship, being "now aged, I desire you let not that trouble you. For "if I had no other shift I could get a lectureship I know shortly, either in this university, or at least in some

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abbey hereby; where I should not lose my time: And "this kind of life, if God be pleased, I desire before << any benefice." This letter was dated November 22, 1554: The bishop was not offended at it: The unaffected piety of it led him rather to admire a behaviour in which the motives of conscience shewed themselves so superior to those of interest. In the mean time our Author was greatly affected with the misfortune of the English exiles from Mary's persecution, and was not a little pleased to find that though unable personally to assist them, yet his large acquaintance in the country furnished him with the means of being useful to many of them by very serviceable recommendations.

He had been now two years in Flanders; and had made himself perfect master of the controversy as it was there handled. He left Louvain therefore and went to Paris. Where his first care was printing his patron's book, which he performed entirely to his lordship's satisfaction this same year 1554, and received his thanks for it. Here popery became quite his aversion, he saw more of its superstition and craft than he had yet seen, the former among the people, the latter among the priests, who scrupled not to avow, how little truth was their concern. In this city he met with his old acquaintance and Hebrew master, Mr Neal, of New-College: He had always been a favourer of popery, and was now a bigot to it; and he tried his strength upon his quondam pupil, but found him above his match. This was the same Neal, who was afterwards chaplain to bishop Bonner, and distinguished himself by being the sole voucher of the silly story of the Nag's-head

consecration.

After three years absence, having satisfied his conscience in the general doctrines of the Reformation, Mr Gilpin returned to England in 1556, a little before the death of Q. Mary. As his return was probably at the bishop of Durham's request, so his lordship received him with great friendship, and in a very little time gave him the archdeaconry of Durham, to which the rectory of Easington was annexed. He immediately repaired to his parish, where, notwithstanding the persecution, which was then in its height, he preached boldly against the vices, errors, and corruptions of the times, especially in the clergy. This was an infallible way to draw vengeance upon self; and accordingly, a charge consisting of thirteen articles was drawn up against him, and presented in form to the bishop. But Tonstall, who was a prelate of great discernment

him

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discernment as well as humanity, and being much practised in the world, easily found a method of dismissing the cause in such a manner, as to protect his nephew, without endangering himself. The malice of his enemies could not however rest; his character, at least, was in their power, and they created him so much trouble, that not able to undergo the fatigue of both his places, he begged leave of the bishop to resign either the archdeaconry or his parish, which his lordship thought fit; to which the bishop answered, that the income of the former was not a support without the latter, and that they could not be separated. In the mean time he managed a dispute against transubstantiation with the bishop's chaplains, and in his presence, with so much prudence as well as learning, as greatly pleased his lordship; and the rich living of Houghton le Spring becoming vacant he presented him to it, on his resignation of the archdeaconry, at his own request. This generous patron also, soon after urged him to accept of a stall then vacant, in the cathedral of Durham, telling him, there lay not the same objection to this as to the archdeaconry, that it was quite a sinecure, &c. But he urged in vain; our Author told the bishop, he had already more wealth than he was afraid he could give a good account of, and begged not to have an additional charge.

He now lived retired, and gave no immediate offence to the clergy; the experience he had of their temper, made him more cautious not to provoke them. Indeed, he was more cautious than he could afterwards approve, for in his future life he would often tax his behaviour at this time with weakness and cowardice. But all his caution availed nothing. He was soon formally accused to the bishop a second time: And was again protected by his lordship; who, however, thought proper, perhaps in the view of his own safety, to shew his dislike of his nephew's conduct, by striking him out of his will, of which he had before made him the executor. This loss gave

Mr Gilpin no concern; he was at a great distance from all worldly mindedness; it was not less than he expected, nor more than he was well provided for. His enemies were not thus silenced: Enraged at this second defeat, they delated him to Dr Bonner, bishop of London; and here they went the right way to work. Bonner was just the reverse of Tonstall, and immediately gave orders to apprehend him. Mr Gilpin had no sooner notice of it, but being no stranger to this prelate's burning zeal, he pre

pared for martyrdom, and commanding his house-steward to provide him a long garment, that he might go the more comely to the stake, he set out for London. It is said, that he happened to break his leg in the journey, which delayed him; however that be, it is certain, that the news of Q. Mary's death met him on the road, which proved his delivery.

Upon his return to Houghton, he was received by his parishioners with the sincerest joy, and though he soon after lost his patron, bishop Tonstall, yet he quickly experienced, that worth like his could never be left friendless. When the popish bishops were deprived, the earl of Bedford recommended him to the queen for the bishopric of Carlisle, and took care that a congé d'elire, should be sent down to the dean and chapter for that purpose. But Mr Gilpin declined this promotion, on account of the particular inconvenience of it to himself, as having so many friends and acquaintances in that diocese, of whom he had not the best opinion, that he must either connive at many irregularities, or draw upon himself so much hatred, that he should be less able to do good there than any body else; declaring, that if he had been chosen in like manner to any bishopric elsewhere, he would not have refused it, in the view of being able to do more good in that station. But in this he was never tried; and indeed, he could not be a stranger to the court maxim, that he who refuses the first kindness, forfeits all pretensions to a second. It is true, this refusal has been ascribed chiefly to lucrative motives by some, who have observed that Houghton was better than the bishopric. However that be, it is certain, he refused an offer the following year, which seems to have been more to his taste. Q. Elizabeth, at her accession to the throne, had procured one Dr Francis, a Protestant physician, to be chosen provost of Queen's-college. This was complied to with great reluctance by the fellows, who were attached to popery: And the doctor finding his situation uneasy among them, determined to resign, and made an offer of the place to Mr Gilpin. But though he loved the university well, and this college in particular, of which he had been fellow, and was assured likewise, that the present fellows had a very great respect and esteem for him; yet all was not able to move him from his parsonage.

It is true, the rectory of Houghton was of considerable value (four hundred pounds per annum at least,) but the duty of it was proportionably laborious. It was so ex

tensive,