GI LPIN. 247 he concluded his sermonwith a warm exhortation, that all would consider these things, and that such as found them- selves faulty would amend their lives.* Such was the manner in which Mr. Gilpin entered on the work of the ministry ; and such was the sense he had of the sincerity and faithfulness necessary to the proper discharge of it. Whatever appeared to be his duty, appeared also to be his interest ; and he was never swayed by hope or fear. Heconsidered himself in some degree chargeable with those vices of which he had the knowledge, if he failed to rebuke - them. His plain dealingon this occasion was therefore well taken, and recommended him to the notice of many persons of the first rank. And Sir William Cecil presented him a general license for preaching. Soon after this, he repaired to his parish, and with becomingseriousness entered upon the duties of his function. Though he failed not occasionally to use the king's license in other parts of the country, he considered his own parish as requiring his principal labours. He chiefly preached on practical subjects ; and seldom touched on points of controversy, lest by attempting to instruct, he should only mislead. Though he was fully resolved against popery, he did not see protestantism in its clearest light; and was scarcely settled in some of his religious opinions. Hence by degrees he became extremely diffident, which gave himgreat uneasiness. He thought he had engaged too soon in the work of the ministry ; that he ought not to rest in giving his hearers merely moral instructions ; and that, as the country was overspread with popish errors, he did ill in pretending to be a teacher of religion, if lie were unable to oppose those errors. These thoughts made deeper impressions upon his mind every day ; and being. at length extremely unhappy, he wrote to Bishop Tonstal, then in the Tower, giving him an account of his situation. The venerable prelate advised Gilpin to provide a trusty curate for his parish, and to spend a year or two in Germany, France, and Holland ; by which means he might have an opportunity of conversing with men celebrated for learning, both papists and Pro- testants. Mr. Gilpin having long earnestly desired a conference with learned men abroad, was much pleased with the advice, And as to the expense Tonstal observed, that his living would do something towards his maintenance, and This sermon is published with Carleton and Gilpin's Life of lieripq Gilpin, and is the only thing he ever published,
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