24S LIVES OF THE PURITANS. he would make up all deficiencies. This, however, didnot remove the difficulty from his mind. Mr. Gilpin's views of the pastoral office were so correct, that he thought no excuse could justify nonresidence for so considerable a time as he intended to be abroad. He, therefore, could not think of supporting himself with any part ofthe income of his living. Yet he was resolved to go abroad and if he stayed only a short time, he would rely on the frugal management of the little money he possessed, and leave the rest to the bishop's generosity. He accordingly resigned his living, and set out for London, to receive his last orders from the bishop, and to embark for the continent. The account of his resignation got to London before himself; and Tonstal, anxious for his kinsman to thrive in the world, was much concerned about it. "Here are your friends," said his grace, " endeavouring to provide for you, and you are taking every method to frustrate their endea- vours. But be warned ; by these coursesyou will presently bring yourself to a morsel of bread." Mr. Gilpin begged the bishop would attribute what he had done to a scrupulous conscience, which would not permit him to act otherwise. " Conscience !" replied the bishop, " why, you might have had a dispensation." " Will my dispensation," an- swered Gilpin, " restrain the tempter, in my absence, from endeavouringto corrupt the people committed to my care? Alas ! I fear it would be but an ill excuse for the harm done to my flock, if I should say, whenGod shall call me to an account of my stewardship, that I was absent by dispensa- tion." This reply put the bishop a little out of humour. But after his temper cooled, this instance of Mr. Gilpin's integrity raised him still higher in the prelate's esteem. Nevertheless, Tonstal would frequently chide him for his qualms of conscience, as he called them ; and often told him, that if he did not look better to his own interest, he would certainlydie a beggar." Before his departure, the bishop entrusted him with his Treatise on the Eucharist, in manuscript, desiring him to in- spect the printing of it atParis. Upon his arrival inHolland, he travelled to Mechlin, to see his brother George, there prosecuting his studies. AfterWards, lie went to Louvain, resolving there to abide. He made frequent excursions to Antwerp, Ghent, Brussels, and other places, where he usually spent a few weeks with persons of reputation, both papists and protestants. But.Louvain being the principal place for students in divinity, was his chief residence. Here
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