GILPIN. 249 some of the most celebrated divines on both sides of the question resided ; and the most important topics in divinity were discussed with great freedom. Mr. Gilpin's first business was to get himself introduced to men eminent for learning ; to whom his own address and attainments were no mean recommendation, and supplied the place of long acquaintance. He attended upon all public readings and disputations. He committed every thing material to writing; re-examined all his own opinions ; proposed his doubts to friends in private ; and, in every respect, made the best use of his time. Hereby, he began to obtain more correct views of the doctrines of the re- formation ; he saw things in a clearer and stronger light, and felt great satisfaction in the change he hadMade. While hewas thus prosecuting his studies, and making con- siderable improvement in useful knowledge, hewas suddenly alarmed, together with numerous other protestants in those parts, by the melancholy news of the death of King Edward, and the accession of Queen Mary. This news, however, was attended with one favourable circumstance, which was, the release of BishopTonstal from the Tower, and his restora- tion to his bishopric. Soon after, Tonstal finding a rich living vacant in his diocese, made the offer of it to Mr. Gilpin ; supposing that by this time he might have got over his former scruples. But Mr. Gilpin still continued inflexible in his resolution not to accept any benefice without discharging the ditties of it. He, therefore, gave the bishop his reasons for not accepting his kind offer, in the following letter, dated from Louvain, November 22, 1554: " Right honourable and singular good lord, my duty " remembered in most humble manner. Pleaseth it your " lordship to be informed, that of late my brother wrote to " me, that in any wise I must meet him at Mechlin ; for he " must debate with me urgent affairs, such as could not be " dispatched by writing. When we met, I perceived it " was nothing else but to see if he could persuade me to " take a benefice, and continue in study at the university ; " which if I had known to be the cause of his sending for " me, I should not have needed to interrupt my study to 44 meet him. For I have so long debated that matter with " learned men, especially with the holy prophets, and most " ancient and godly writers since Christ's time, that I trust " so long as I have to live, never toburden my conscience " with having a benefice, and lying from it. My brother
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