GILPIN. 245 to teach others. The christian ministry, said he, was an arduous work, especially in those times ; and protestantism could not suffer more than by the rawness and inexperience of its teachers. These thoughts continued to attend him at Oxford till the thirty-fifth year of his age. About this time, the vicarage of Norton, in thedisocese of Durham, becoming void, his friends, with some difficulty, prevailed upon him to accept it. Accordingly, he was presented to this living in November, 1552. But before be entered upon his important charge, he was appointed to preach before King Edward at Greenwich. Mr. Gilpinwas resolved on this occasion to censure the prevailing avarice and corruptions with honest freedom, and ordered his sermon accordingly. He began by first addressing the clergy. He was sorry, said he, to observe amongst them so manifest a neglect of their function. To get benefices, not to take care of their flocks, was their great object. Half of them were pluralists, or nonresidents, and such could never fulfil their charge. He was shocked, he said, to hear them quote human laws against the word of God. If such Jaws did exist, they were the remains of popery, and ought to be repealed. For while wens' consciences would permit them to hold as many livings as they could get, and discharge none, it was impossible the gospel could have any considerable success. From the clergy he turned to the court; and observing the kingwas absent, he was obliged to introduce that part of his sermon, by saying, it grieved him to see those absent, who, for example's sake, ought to have been present. He had also heard other preachers remark, that it was common for them to be absent. Business might, perhaps, be their excuse ; but he could not believe that serving God would ever hinder business. If he could, he said, he would make them hear in their chambers. However, he would speak to their seats, not doubting that what he said would be carried to them.-"You, great prince," said he, "are appointed by God to bethe governor ofthis land; let me then here call upon you in behalf of your people. It is in your power to redress them ; and if youdo not, the neglect must be accounted for. Take away dispensations for pluralities and nonresidence, and oblige every pastor to hold only one benefice ; and, as far as you can, make every one do his duty. Your grace's eye to look through the realm, would do more good than a thousand preachers. The land is full of idle pastors. And how can it be otherwise, while the nobility, and patrons of
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