The Marrow of Ecclesiastical History, Bernard Gilpin
The Life of Bernard Gilpin, who died Ano Christi 1583.
BErnard Gilpin was born at Kentmire in the County of Westmoreland Anno Christi 1517,His birth and Parentage. of an ancient and honourable Family. When he was but a child, a Friar, pretending to be a zealous Preacher, came on a Saturday night to his Fathers house, and at Supper eat like a Glutton, and drunke himself drunk, yet the next morning in his Sermon sharply reproved the sinne of Drunkennesse: whereupon young Gilpin, sitting near his mother, cryed out, Oh Mother! doe you hear how this fellow dares speak against Drunkenness, and yet himself was drunken last night? But his Mother stopped his mouth with her hand, that he might speake no further, it being a mortall sinne in those times to speak against these men. His Parents perceiving his aptnesse, were carefull to make him a Scholar;His education. and when hee had with great approbation passed his time in the Grammar-School, they sent him to Oxford Anno Christi 1533,He goes to Oxford. where he was admitted into Queens Colledge, and profited wondrously in Humane Learning. Hee was very conversant also in the writings of Erasmus, which were in much esteem at that time: And to the studie of Logick, and Philosophie, hee added that of Greek and Hebrew;His great proficiency, yea after some few years spent in these studies, hee grew so famous, that there was no place of preferment for a Scholar whereof the eminency of his virtues had not rendered him worthy: Whereupon he was one of the first that was chosen a member of Christ-Church by Cardinall Wolsey. At that time he was not fully instructed in the true Religion, but held disputations against John Hooper, afterwards Bishop of Worcester; as also against Peter Martyr, who was then Divinity Lecturer at Oxford, upon the occasion of which dispute, that he might defend his cause the better, he examined the Scriptures & ancient Fathers: But by how much the more he studied to defend his Cause, the lesse confidence hee began to have therein; and so whilst he was searching zealously for Truth, he beganne to discern… his own Errors. Peter Martyr used to say, That he cared not for his other adversaries, but (saith he) I am troubled for Gilpin; for he doth, and speaketh all things with an upright heart; and therefore he often prayed,Power of Prayer. That God would be pleased at last to convert to the Truth the heart of Gilpin, being so inclinable to honesty: And the Lord answered his prayer; for presently Gilpin resolved more earnestly to apply himself, both by study, and praier to search out the Truth: and it pleased God accordingly to reveal it unto him;His conversion as also the many Errors in Popery, and the necessity of separating from that Apostatical Church. In the mean while Cuthbert Tunstal, Bishop of Durham, being his Uncle, resolved to send him beyond-sea to visit the Churches in forrein parts, and to allow him meanes for his travel: But before his going, he was called to preach before King Edward the sixth, which he performed with good approbation. Whilst he was resolving upon his journy,He preaches before the K. he had a Parsonage given him, which Tunstal perswaded him to keep to maintaine him in his travels; but he, sending for a friend whom he knew to be learned, and religious, resign'd his Parsonage to him:His piety. For which, when it came to the knowledge of Tunstal, he chid him sharply, and told him, That he would die a begger; but he excused it, saying, That he could not keep it with the peace of his conscience. But (said the Bishop) thou shalt have a Dispensation. To whom Gilpin answered,Tender conscience. That he feared when he came to stand before Christs Tribunal, it would not serve his turn to plead a Dispensation, &c. When he came beyond sea he went to Lovan, He goes beyond sea.Antwerp, and Paris. And after a while Tunstal sent again to perswade him to accept of a Parsonage, which he would conferre upon him: To whom he wrote back that he had discussed the question with all the learned, especially with the Prophets and best Writers since Christ's time, so that he was fully resolved not to burthen his conscience by accepting of a Charge which he could not live upon, &c.
Whilst he was at Paris, Tunstal sent him over a book which himself had written, about the Presence of Christ in the Sacrament to be printed there, which Gilpin performed faithfully. He returned into England after three years,His return into England. in Queen Maries reign, and beheld (to his great griefe) the Church oppressed with blood and fire; and being placed by Tunstal in the Rectory of Essingdon, His faithfulneshe began sharply to tax the vices which then reigned in the Church, and propounded the Doctrine of Salvation plainly, and soundly; which procured him many enemies, especially of the Clergy, who accused him often to the Bishop for an Heretick:He is accused. But Tunstal could not endure to shed blood, and therefore dealt mildly with him. At a certaine time the Bishops Chaplains discoursed with him about Luther, and the Sacrament of the Altar; whom he answered so judiciously, that the Bishop hearing their discourse, said to his Chaplains, Let him alone, for he hath more learning then you all. His great learning.The Archdeaconry of Durham being annexed to the Parsonage of Essingdon, Master Gilpin for a time supplied both places, but after a while hee wrote to the Bishop, desiring that he might have his good will to resigne one of them, which the Bishop was very angry at, saying; I told thee thou wouldst die a beggar. Not long after the Bishop conferred upon him instead of them, the Rectory of Houghton, Made Parson of Houghton.which was a great Parish, and a very fine seat. Hee took great care to perform the duties of the Ministry amongst his people;His charity to souls. and seeing the miserable condition of many places in those parts; where the Tithes being Impropriated, the Souls of the people were starved, hee preached often abroad also: And once a year he took a journey into Northumberland, His journies into the North.Riddesdale, and Tindale, usually about Christmasse, because of the opportunnity of so many Holydaies; where he gat himselfe much esteem by his preaching to those barbarous people, and distributing mony to the poore. Sometimes he was forced to lodge in the snow all night in that journey, at which times hee made his man to trot his horses up and down, whilst he bestirred himself that he might not perish with the cold. Once as he returned home, a husbandman, as he was ploughing, had a horse in his team that fell down and died,His charity. for which he made great moan; whereupon Master Gilpin caused his man to alight and take off his saddle and bridle, and so to carry them to the next town, and gave his horse to this husbandman. And when by chance he met with any naked poor people, he would pull off some of his own clothes and give them. In the towne of Houghton there was a street of poore people, for whose reliefe every Thursday he caused a great pot of meat to be boyled, and distributed amongst them; yea, his charity was such, that hee was commonly called,His enemies. The Father of the Poor. Yet had hee many enemies, who often accused him to Bishop Tunstal, but he abhorring to shed blood, was still a sweet defence to him. At last they accused him to Bonner, Flight in persecution refused.who sent a Messenger to apprehend him, whereof hee had notice before hand, and therefore prepared himself for Martyrdom, commanding his Steward to provide him a long garment to goe to the stake in,Gods providence. but it pleased God that by the sudden death of Queen Mary he was freed from this danger.
In the beginning of Queen Elizabeths reign Mr. Gilpin was exceeding studious to do all the good that possibly he could,His con…inued charity. whereupon he erected a Grammar-School, allowing maintenance for a Master and Usher; divers of the Scholars hee also instructed himself, so that in that School were bred many that were exceedingly profitable to the Church afterwards… For there was great resort to it, some of which he tabled in his own house, others in the town; yea, upon many poor mens sons he bestowed both meat, drink, apparel, and teaching Out of this School were sent daily many to the Universities, to divers of which he allowed maintenance; whereby his name was renowned, and the Earl of Bedford much esteemed him, and procured of the Queen the Bishoprick of Carlile for him,His humility. and sent him his Congedeslier; but Master Gilpin returned it back with many thanks, alledging his own insufficiency for the discharge of so great a place. Not …ong after also hee was much importuned to take upon him the Provosts place of Queens Colledge in Oxford, He refuse…h preserm…t.but hee refused it, being wholly unwilling to remove from the place where God had set him.
He was much given unto Hospitality,His hospitality insomuch as William Cecil Lord Burghley returning out of Scotland, drawn with the fame of Master Gilpin, came to Houghton, where hee was entertained with all due respect: And when hee had well observed Master Gilpin, and the diligence of his servants, and abundance of all things, with so compleat service in the entertainment of so great, and unlooked for a Guest, hee said at his parting, That he had heard much of Master Gilpin, but what he had now seen, and tried, was much more then the report. And thereupon when he took his leave of Master Gilpin, he requested him if he had any occasion or suit at the Court, that hee would make use of him to intercede for him.
He still continued his yearely visit of Riddesdale, and Tindale, where he was esteemed a Prophet, and little lesse then adored by that barbarous people.His esteem in the North. Being once amongst them, one had stoln his horses, whereupon Hue and Cry was sent abroad for Master Gilpin's horses. The fellow that had stoln them, hearing that they were Master Gilpin's, fell a trembling and presently carried them back again, humbly craving pardon,Note. and the benediction of Father Gilpin, protesting that he feared that he should be thrust into hell if he should doe him any wrong. Also being to preach at a town called Rothburte, there was a deadly fend between the inhabitants, so that the men of both sides never met at Church without blood-shed,A barbarous custom. and therefore when one party came, the other used to stay away: But Master Gilpin being in the pulpit, both parties came to Church, one party going into the Chancel, and the other into the Body of the Church, armed with Swords and Javelins; Master Gilpin, though somwhat moved with this uncouth spectacle, yet went on in his Sermon; but when their weapons beganne to make a clashing sound, and the one side drew near to the other, Master Gilpin came down from the pulpit, and stepping to the Ringleaders of either faction, laboured to establish a peace; and when hee could not prevail in that, yet he got a promise from them to continue the peace whilst he was in the Church, and afterwards, whilst he was in those quarters; and so going up againe, he spent the rest of the time in disgracing that barbarous, and bloody custome. At another time Master Gilpin coming to a Church in those parts, before the people assembled, and walking up, and down, spied a glove hanging up in the Church, whereupon he enquired of the Sexton the meaning of it, who told him that it was a glove of one of the parish who had hung it up as a challenge to his enemy, with whom he would fight hand to hand, or with any that durst take it down. Master Gilpin requested the Sexton to take it downe; who replyed, That hee durst not. Then said Master Gilpin, Bring me a staffe and I will take it down; which accordingly he did, and put it into his bosome, and in his Sermon he took occasion to reprove these inhumane challenges, and reproved him in particular that had hung up the glove, shewing them that he had taken it down, and that such practis…s were unbeseeming Christians, and therefore he perswaded them to love, and mutuall charity amongst themselves: After Sermon he distributed money amongst the poore, and as his manner was, visited the prisoners, gave them money, and preached to them, and brought many of them to repentance,He converts theeves. and for some that were condemned to die he procured pardon, and saved their lives.
Not long after a Rebellion was raised in the North by the Earls of Northumberland and Cumberland; A Rebellion in the North.he suspended him, which Master Gilpin having intelligence of, resolved to retire himself from his house for a time, and making a speech to the Master and Scholars to demean themselves carefully and peaceably in his absence, hee went to Oxford, till the Queens Army, commanded by the Earl of Sussex, had dissipated the Rebels. But before that Armie came, the Rebels having seized upon Durham. His house is plundered.some of them flew as farre as Houghton, and finding Master Gilpins Barns full of Corn, young cattel fatted, and many things, provided for hospitality, they made spoyl of all,Inpratitude. the chiefest of which plunderers was a knave whom Mr. Gilpin had saved from the Gallows. But when those Rebels were overthrowne, Master Gilpin returned home, and begged the lives of many of the simpler sort whom he knew to bee drawn into that Rebellion through ignorance.
After the death of Bishop Pilkington, who was Master Gilpin's faithfull friend, there succeeded in the Bishoprick of Durham, one Richard Barns, who was offended with him upon some false suggestions, which came thus about. Master Gilpins custome was sometimes to goe to Oxford, and once as he was upon his way, hee espied a young before him sometime walking,H. B. oughton. and sometimes running. Master Gilpin demanded of him what hee was, and whence he came, and whither hee was going? Hee answered, That hee came out of Wales, and was bound for Oxford to bee a Scholar.
Master Gilpin thereupon examined him, and finding him a prompt Scholar for the Latine, and that hee had a smattering in the Greek, asked him if he would goe with him, and he would provide for him; the youth was contented: whereupon hee took him with him to Oxford, and afterwards to Houghton, where he profited exceedingly both in Greek and Hebrew, whom Master Gilpin at last sent to Cambridge; and this was that famous Hugh Broughton, who afterwards required evill for good,Ingratitude. by stirring up the Bishop of Durham against Master Gilpin. Now the Bishop sent to Master Gilpin to preach at a Visitation, appointing him time, and place: But it fell out to be just at that time when Master Gilpin was going his Northern journey into Riddesdale, &c. whereupon he sent his man to the Bishop, desiring him to appoint some other to preach the Visitation-Sermon, for that hee might have many to doe that service, but none would goe amongst the borderers if he did it not. When his man had delivered his message to the Bishop, the Bishop held his peace which being related to Master Gilpin, he said, Silence argues consent, and so went on in his journey. But so soon as the Bishop heard of it,The Bishop suspends him. which Master Gilpin at his returne much wondred at. Shortly after the Bishop sent to him to warm him to meet him, and the rest of the Clergy at Chester; whither Master Gilpin went: and when the Bishop and the Clergy were all met in the Church, he said to Master Gilpin, Requires him to preach on a sudden.Sir, I must have you preach to day: Master Gilpin desired to be excused, because he was unprovided, and for that he was suspended. But (saith the Bishop) I free you from that suspension. Yet Master Gilpin replied, That he durst not go up into the pulpit unprovided. His modest answer.You are never unprovided (saith the Bishop) you have such an habit of preaching. Master Gilpin stil stiffly refused, saying, That God was not so to be tempted, &c. Whereupon the Bishop commanded him to goe into the Pulpit forthwith. Well Sir (said Master Gilpin) since it must be so, your Lordships wil be done; and so after a little pause, went up, and began his Sermon, and though he saw some extraordinarily prepared to write this Sermon, yet hee proceeded in his application to reprove the enormities in that Diocesse.He preaches boldly. And now (saith hee) Reverend Father, my speech must be directed unto you; His zeal.God hath exalted you, and will require an account of your government; a reformation of whats amisse in the Church is required at your hands, &c. neither can you henceforth plead ignorance, for behold I bring these things to your knowledge this day, and therefore what evils you shall ei…ther doe your self, or suffer by your connivance hereafter, you make it your own, &c. His friends hearing him thunder out these things, much feared what would become of him: And after Sermon, some of them told him with tears, That now the Bishop had that advantage against him which hee had long looked for, &c. To whom he answered, Be not affraid, the Lord God over-ruleth all, His pions resolution.and if God may bee glorified, and his Truth propagated, Gods will be done concerning me. After they had dined together (all men expecting the issue of this businesse) Master Gilpin went to take his leave of the Bishop. Nay (said the Bishop) I will bring you home, and so went along with him to his house, and walking there together in a Parlour, the Bishop took him by the hand, saying Father Gilpin. I acknowledge you are fitter to be Bishop of Durham, then my self to be Parson of your Church: I ask forgiveness for Errors past: Gods mercy. The Bishop aske…h him forgiven…e,Forgive me, Father, I know you have hatched up some chickens that now seek to pick out your eyes; but be sure so long as I am bishop of Durham, no man shall injure you: Master Gilpin, and his friends, much rejoyced that God had so overruled things, that that which was purposed for his disgrace, should turn to his greater credit.
His body being quite worn out with pains-taking, at last feeling before hand the approach of death,Prepar…tion so death. hee commanded, the poor to be called together, unto whom he made a speech, and tooke his leave of them. He did the like also to others, made many exhortations to the Scholars, to his servants, and to divers others, and so at the last he fell asleep in the Lord,His death. March the fourth, Anno Christi 1583. and of his Age, sixty six.
Hee was tall of stature, slender, and hawk-nosed; his clothes not costly,His Character. but frugall in things that belonged to his own body; bountifull in things that tended to the good of others, especially, of the poor, and scholars. His doores were still open to the poor and strangers: He boorded and kept in his owne house four and twenty Scholars, most of them poor mens sonnes, upon whom hee bestowed meat, drink, apparel, and learning. Having a great Parish, he entertained them at his Table by course eueryevery Sabbath from Michaelmasse to Easten. He bestowed upon his School, and for stipends upon the School masters, the full sum of 500 pound, out of which School he supplied the Church of England with great store of Learned men. Hee was carefull not onelyonly to avoyd evil, but the least appearance of it: Being full of Faith unfeigned, and of good works; hee was at last put into his grave, as an heap of wheat in due time put into the garner.
Hallelujah.