member of Iesus Christ. If you approoue of none interpretation of Scriptures but what proceeds from Rome you may easily affirme whatsoever you please There is nothing so absurd or so contrary to the truth of the eternall God which may not be wrested by their corrupt glosses as it may seeme to serue to a wicked cause With such kinde of men is no disputation to be held As for that which you inferre touching Arrius and the rest of that ranke it is nothing to the purpose For all the writings of the Prophets together with other manifest Scriptures whereunto we ought to haue recourse in doubts of this nature and to be concluded by them doe evidently confound Arrius and all the rest his partakers Consubstantiality which the Greekes call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is confirmed by very many evident testimonies of Scripture But so is not Transubstantiation which hath so molested the braines of Scotus Occam Biel and all the schoole Divines that many a time they are shrowdly put to it what they had best stay for removing the absurdities which arise therefrom Therefore it is apparant that it is a meere fiction without any foundation of Scripture So that Scotus as Bishop Tonstall did many times ingenuously confesse was of opinion that the Church might better and with more ease make vse of some more commodious exposition of those words in the holy Supper And the Bishop was of the minde that we ought to speake reverently of â—he holy Supper as did the auncient Fathers but that the opinion of Transubstantiation might well be let alone This thing also the same Bishop Tonstall was wont to affirme both in words and writings that Innocent the third knew not what he did when he put Transubstantiation among the Articles of faith and he said that Innocentius wanted learned men about him and indeed saith the Bishop if I had beene of his Councell I make no doubt but I might haue beene able to haue disswaded him from that resolution When Mr. Cheasey said that the Catholicks should doe well to giue way in the Article of Transubstantiation I heard not himselfe speak the words but one which heard him tolde me Whereas you write touching the imprisonment of him and others truly I am of the opinion that as for this present life they liue most quietly Nor doe I think that themselues could haue made choice of a more retired kinde of life if the sting of conscience trouble them not for maintaining a cause that is not good but built vpon the sand But if you will needes haue it that men must of necessity conniue at the beastly and abominable liues of so many Romane Bishops aboue thirty you may also finde fault with our Saviour himselfe for discovering so plainly the pernicious enormities both of the Pharises who in those times were accounted forfooth the holy Fathers and also of their Fathers then dead you may blame also the Prophet Esay who will not haue evill men to be called good denouncing a curse against that man who calleth him holy that is not holy find fault also with Saint Bernard who calleth them the Ministers of Antichrist Those things which other godly men haue written to this purpose doe worthily excuse vs. He blameth those things openly concerning which he confesseth that it is a shame to speake I reveale not hidden things saith he but I reprooue things publickely knowne vnto which thing we are even obliged by the commandement of God Esaia 58. 1. Shew my people their sinnes whereas you say that fiue Sacraments are rejected by vs you doe not say well rejected for wee vse them reverently according to the word of God nor doe we take away the name of a Sacrament as the word Sacrament is generally vsed as was the washing of feete and many other things which may retaine the name of a Sacrament in generall as also they doe among the Fathers But the auncient Fathers and some Schoole men doe aâ—firme that onely Baptisme and the Eucharist are properly called Sacraments It is also the testimony of Bessarion We read saith he of these two Sacraments onely manifestly delivered in the Gospell I wonder at you that you doe so wrest the words of Saint Paul to such a sence as that out of those words all the Ceremonies of the Masse may be established whereas you cannot be ignorant that the greatest part of them hath ben added many ages after by the Bishops of Rome Wee reade also that the Apostles consecrated with the words of the Gospell and with the Lords prayer Moreover whereas Saint Paul had even at that time ordayned already that the people should not only eate the bread with the Minister as his owne words doe manifestly prooue but also drinke of the cup you see how there fellowes haue vtterly â—obbed the Church of that ordiâ—ation of Christ and his Apostles but how iustly or by what good authority they haue done thus let theÌ„â—elues looke vnto it I could never in my reading find 〈…〉 ground of that authority I find the contrary to 〈◊〉 that all men are altogether forbidden to alter any thing touching the word and will of God delivered in the holy scriptures You say that the Scriptures allow prayer for the dead and that you know this well enough Saint Hierom saith that the booke of Macchaâ—â—s is profitable for manners not to establish doctrine You alledge that Saint Augustine doubted in many places whether there be a Purgatorie If that be a doubtfull poynt then it is not to be obtruded as an Article of faith but to be left indifferent For faith is a substance Heb 11. 1 and faith ought not to wauer saith Saint Iames The Bishop of Rochester writeth concerning Purgatory that amongst the Auncients there was either little or no mention of it And so long as there was no care taken for Prgatorie no man sought after Indulgences And so those innumerable gaynes by Pardons were never knowne before Purgatory was found out What shall we now say to bee meant by those words of Saint Paul esteeming gayne godline if this be not it This Mart hath fed and still doth feed many idle bellyes who stoutly driue away the word of God to the best of their abillity that they may not loose their Swine Howbeit at the last the truth shall prevaile how ever these men haue conspired together As touching that which you adde concerning the Invocation of Saints Saint Augustine exhorteth vs rather to stand to the Scriptures then either to his writings or the writings of others and not to build vpon his writings without the authoritie of Scriptures And surely in this poynt my conscience is resolued that there is not one poynt of all these which are controverted that is proved by more evident testimonyes of Scripture then this that God alone is to be prayed vnto and by one mediator namely Iesus Christ. Rom. 10. 13. How shall they call on him in whome they haue not beleeued We must beleeue
overruleth vs all so that the truth may be propagated and God glorified Gods will be done concerning me After the Sermon they met all together at dinner all men were afraid that the Bishop would haue done Mr. Gilpin some shrewd turn for his Sermon and silently expected what would become of the matter After dinner Mr. Gilpin commeth to the Bishop to see him and to take leaue of him and so to returne homewards It shall not be so said the Bishop for I will bring you to your house And so Mr. Gilpin returned home in the company of the Bishop And when they were now come to Mr. Gilpinâ—â— house and walked within into the parlour the Bishop vpon a sodaine caught Mr. Gilpin by the hand and vsed these words vnto him Father Gilpin I acknowledge you are fitter to be Bishop of Durhams then my selfe to be Parson of this Church of yours I aske forgiuenesse for errours passed forgiue me father I know you haue hatched vp some chickens that now seeke to pick out your eyes but so long as I shall liue Bishop of Durham be secure no man shall injure you Mr. Gilpins friends that is all good men began to rejoyce and to giue God thanks acknowledging the powerfull hand of God in that the Bishop being so offended with him was so prevented by the power of God as that the thing which he had purposed for his disgrace should turne to his greater credit In the meane while Mr. Gilpin reaped the fruit of a pious life in all plentifull manner After that age began to grow vpon him there was in the towne of Newcastle one Genison who had received to home a sonne of his owne brothers lately returned from the parts beyond the seas This Genison was much aggrieved for that his brothers sonne was as hee vnderstood made a Iesuite whereupon hee sent the young man to Mr. Gilpin intreating him to haue a care of him and to disswade him if he could possibly from his wicked and dangerous opinions After that Mr. Gilpin had often conferd with him he found the young fellow most insolently proud and armed with boldnesse and impudence corrupting the holy Scriptures with certaine new and vnheard of expositions Whereupon Mr. Gilpin wrote to his vncle Mr. Genison that he was a most audacious young fellow and câ—me not to him to be instructed but to teach him rather The young fell our saith he thinking I know not how a great deale too well of himselfe had an hope to draw me at these 〈◊〉 no acknowledge certaine abrurdities I see that the Iesuites have found out 〈…〉 away all respect and set vpon men with impudency They dare proue the Invocation of Saints from Abraham Isaae and Iacob This fellow doth obstinately affirme that the Church of Rome hath not erred in any one thing Their most horrible errours touching Indulgences falsified Miracles falsified Reliques Pilgrimages worshipping of Images and the rest of the same sort all these this wonderfull man findeth out in the Gospell And hee standeth vpon it stiffely that all these things are good and holy I desire not to haue any more to doe with such a monstrous kinde of men with such fierce natures who open their mouths against heaven for what is it to open their mouthes against heaven if this be not so violenty and disgracefully to handle the holy Scriptures They haue devised and daily doe devise horrible strange expositions such as were never heard of before in the Church of Româ— I therefore desire to rid mine hands of this fellow as of a scabbed sheepe for feare he might infect my whole flocke After that his leane body was quite worne out with diversity of paines-taking at the last even feeling before hand the approach of death he commanded the poore to be called together vnto whom hee made a speech and tooke his leaue of them Afterwards he did the like to others He fell sick about the end of Febrâ—ary and after many exhortations vsed to the schollers to his servants and to divers others at the last he fell asleep in the Lord in great peace the fourth day of March in the yeare of our Lord 1583. and in the 66. yeare of his age He was tall of stature and slender being hawke-nosed His clothes were ever such as cost not very deare He could never away with gay apparell In things belonging to his owne body he was very frugall and retained the austerity of the auncient In things which might tend to the good of others he was exceeding bountifull especially towards poore people and schoolers He desiâ—ed still to keep his dores open for the intertainment of any poore 〈◊〉 In his owne house he 〈◊〉 and â—ent at the most foure and twenty schollerâ— sometimes fewer but seldome The greater 〈…〉 boorders were poore mâ—ns sonnes vpon whom he bestowed meat drink and cloth and education in learning He was wont to enterteine his Parishioners and 〈◊〉 at his table not only at the Christmas time as the custome is but because he had a large and wide Parish and a great multitude of people he kept a table for them every Sunday from Michaelmas to Easter He haâ— the Gentlemen the husband men and the poorer sort set â—â—very degree by themselues and as it were ordered in ranks He was wont to commend the marryed estate in the Clergy howbeit himselfe liâ—ed and dyed a single man He bestowed in the building ordering and eâ—â—â—blishing of his schoole and in providing yearly stipende for a Schoole-master and vsheâ— the 〈…〉 hundred pounds out of which schoole he supplied the Church of England with great store of learned men He was carefull to avoid not onely all evill doing but even the lightest suspicioâ—s thereof And he was accountedâ— Saint in the iudgements of his very enemies if he had any such Being full of faith vnfeigned and of good workes he was at the last put 〈◊〉 his grauâ— as a heap of wheat in due time swept into the 〈◊〉 FINIS
THE LIFE OF BERNARD GILPIN A MAN MOST HOLY and renowned among the Northerne English Faithfully written by the Right Reverend Father in God GEORGE CARLETON Lord Bishop of Chichester and published for the satisfaction of his Countrimen by whom it was long since earnestly desired The iust shall be had in euerlasting remembrance Psal. 112. 6. The memory of the righteous shall be blessed but the name of the wicked shall rot Prov. 10. 7. LONDON Printed by WILLIAM IONES dwelling in Red-crosse-streete 1629. GEORGE BISHOP OF CHICHESTER TO WILLIAM BELVSS Knight wisheth salvation in Christ. IF in the Church of God there were many such as Gilpin was I should holde it needlesse to recommend the memoriall of this Man vnto the world But seeing there are so few or to speak freely what I think none at all who following the rule of sorare piety and sanctimony have propounded so notable an example to all those who doe aspire to ablessed life and constantly walked in the same I conceiue that such a patterne would kindle the zeale of many good men to walke in so faire a way though happily they were not able to attaine to the perfection thereof Examples of the like piety in holy men we haue heard of many in auncient histories often read of them in their writings but in men of this our age it is not to be found For so farre short are we from this zeale in furtherance of piety that now it is to be feared left Religion so eagerly and ioyfully vndertaken and professed at first will come to be euen â—oathed and reiected of many and so finally come to confusion seeing experience of former times hath confirmed this truth vnto vs that profanesse of life and manners hath drawne withall the ruine of Religion thereby to giue vs a taste now of what it is like to doe hereafter Now we make no doubt but in so great a decay of auncient holinesse Gilpins name like the Owle amongst other Birds when it comes abroad will proue hatefull to many Yet I held this no sufficient reason why to suppresse it Wherein though some pick out matter for their derision and scorne yet other some may meete with matter for their admiration others for their Imitation to work on As for you Worthy Sir you hereby inioy the harvest of your earnest and often desire Many yeeres this writing hath lyne by me from the common view the edition whereof I did therefore of purpose defer to prevent them who may seeme to stand at a distance farre off from this forme of holinesse from iudging themselues preiudized hereby But as my purpose is to further all as much as I might so it was not to hurt any If any good or furtherance redound to any by this my labour he must thank you whose importunity hath extorted it such as it is out of my hands And seeing you liue in the very place where Gilpins life and vertue was notoriously famous and your selfe haue beene so earnest with me for the same this very carefull desire of yours to preserue and perpetuate Gilpins memory is a most pregnant proofe and an vndeniable testimony of the ingenuity and goodnesse of our owne minde which worthy disposition of yours hath commanded me to dedicate this little work to your name to stand for euer as a pledge of your Religious affection to Gilpin and my true loue vnto you So Fare you well TO THE VERTVOVS memory of Mr. BERNARD GILPIN his Reverend Kinsman sometimes Parson of HAVGHTON SHew me that man who can one amongst ten Who did as this man did this man of men Who ne're knew Symony that spreading Tetter Which makes the bribe-swolne soule the Devils debter Who e're encountred with so many theeues Vnript their rankling sores and cur'd their grieues For gifts so richly rare for wit so quick And would refuse a proffer'd Bishoprick Who made the poore his children eas'd their need And fed the hungry with the staffe of bread To blinde to lame to sick to sore to poore Aneye a stay a care a cure a shower To right to reare to cure to cheere to water And shew the temper of his gen'rous nature Finde me out such a man North East South West Vnlesse you rake him from the Phoenix nest Now trust me these rare vertues make me proud Deep-stamp'd in this graue Patriot of my blood Who though translated from the paths of men And now translated by an English pen Yet shall the substance of his inward shrine Out-liue the vading period of time For these sweet odours shall preserue his fame So long as Kext from Kentmire takes his name Dignum laâ—dâ— virum Musa vetat mori Coelo beat Acts. 20 28 29. Take heed therefore vnto your selves and to the whole flocke whereof the holy Ghost hath made you Overseers to feed the Church of God which he hath purchased with that his owne blood For I know this that after my departing shall grievous wolues enter in among you not sparing the flocke Philip. 3. 18 19. For many walke of whom I haue tolde you often and now tell you weeping that they are the enemies of the Crosse of Christ Whose end is damnation whose God is their belly and whose glory is to their shame which minde earthly things The life of BERNARD GILPIN BErnard Gilpin was borne at Kentmire in the County of Westmorland in the yeare of our Lord 1517. of an ancient and honorable family being the son of Edwin Gilpin the elder brother of which Edwin was slain in the battle of Bosworth being heire in the fifth descent of Richard Gilpin who in the Raign of King Iohn was enfeoffed in the Lordship of Kentmire hall by the Baron of Kendall for his singular deserts both in peace and warre This was that Richard Gilpin who slew the wilde Boore that rageing in the mountaines adioyning as sometimes did that of Erimanthus had much indammaged the Country-people whence it is that the Gilpins in their Coate Armes giue the Boore The Mother of Bernard Gilpin was ' Margaret the Daughter of William Laton of Delamaâ—n in Cumberland a man of an ancient house and a family famous in that warlike age as from whence had sprung many right valiant Gentlemen This Bernard being yet a very childe gaue testimony of future holinesse vpon this occasion A certaine begging Frier the better to dispose the hearts of the people to liberality towards him professed himselfe a Zealous Preacher how beit the Friers of those dayes and that ranke were but a fordid and dishonest people some of them yea the greatest part labouring for a forme of holinesse but denying the power of it in their liues and conversations whereas others of them retained not so much as an outside thereof This waâ—dring companion was come vpon the Saturday to the house of this Gilpins Father as purposing to preach the next morrow being the Lords day where he was enterteined respectiuely enough for at that time it was a sinne
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
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
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
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