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Article CHARACTER OF BERNARD GILPIN, Page 1 of 5 →
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Character Of Bernard Gilpin,
CHARACTER OF BERNARD GILPIN ,
BY GEORGE C . ARLETON , BISHOP OF CHICHESTER , IN I 752 .
AS there are scarce any writings more entertaining than the lives of persons of distinguished characters and eminent virtue , who made the world the better and the happier for their having lived in it ; so there are none more useful and instructive , or that have a more direct tendency to excite a generous emulation , and animate us to noble and virtuous pursuits . Virtue , when abstractedly considered , makes but a faint impression on the human mind ; but when it isas
, it were , substantiated , by being exhibited in real characters , " then every generous breast takes fire , our native sense of ingenuity is touched , and we are not only prompted but encouraged to excel . When the lives indeed of heroes , of mighty conquerors , and eminent statesmen are exposed to view , the bulk of readers , though their admiration may be raised , yet seldom reap any solid advantages from
them , or derive any additional strength to their virtuous resolutions ; but when the lives of those are set before us , who have adorned the ordinary stations of life by a steady and uniform pursuit of virtue , and a cheerful and resolute discharge of the duties incumbent upon them , from their first appearance on the stage of the world till their leaving it ; there is scarce any thing that can have a more happy influence upon our minds , or more effectually tend to inspire resolution , and
rouse us from that lethargic and inactive state into which the generality of mankind are sunk . In the life of Bernard Gil pin , which having just met with we have read with uncommon pleasure , and would earnestly recommend to the perusal of our readers , we are presented with a character which , for genuine humility , native candourand ingenuity , firmness and strength of mind , exalted piety and extensive benevolenceis scarce inferior to
, any perhaps that can be named . This trul y apostolical man had many difficulties to grapple with ( the surest tests of virtuous principles ) , arising from the times wherein he . lived , and the prejudices of education , having come into the world about the middle of the rei gn of Henry V 11 I . and been brought up in the principles of Popery . But such was the native honesty of his disposition , such the prudence of his
behaviour , such his application to the discovery of truth , such , in a word , the innocence , simplicity , and beauty of his whole conduct , that he surmounted all his difficulties , relinquished the absurdities and superstitions of that reli gion wherein he was educated , became an ornament to the protestant cause , was zealous in asserting its honours , and , till the close of life , shewed so warm a concern for the good of mankind , and the interests of true reli gion , and discharged
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Character Of Bernard Gilpin,
CHARACTER OF BERNARD GILPIN ,
BY GEORGE C . ARLETON , BISHOP OF CHICHESTER , IN I 752 .
AS there are scarce any writings more entertaining than the lives of persons of distinguished characters and eminent virtue , who made the world the better and the happier for their having lived in it ; so there are none more useful and instructive , or that have a more direct tendency to excite a generous emulation , and animate us to noble and virtuous pursuits . Virtue , when abstractedly considered , makes but a faint impression on the human mind ; but when it isas
, it were , substantiated , by being exhibited in real characters , " then every generous breast takes fire , our native sense of ingenuity is touched , and we are not only prompted but encouraged to excel . When the lives indeed of heroes , of mighty conquerors , and eminent statesmen are exposed to view , the bulk of readers , though their admiration may be raised , yet seldom reap any solid advantages from
them , or derive any additional strength to their virtuous resolutions ; but when the lives of those are set before us , who have adorned the ordinary stations of life by a steady and uniform pursuit of virtue , and a cheerful and resolute discharge of the duties incumbent upon them , from their first appearance on the stage of the world till their leaving it ; there is scarce any thing that can have a more happy influence upon our minds , or more effectually tend to inspire resolution , and
rouse us from that lethargic and inactive state into which the generality of mankind are sunk . In the life of Bernard Gil pin , which having just met with we have read with uncommon pleasure , and would earnestly recommend to the perusal of our readers , we are presented with a character which , for genuine humility , native candourand ingenuity , firmness and strength of mind , exalted piety and extensive benevolenceis scarce inferior to
, any perhaps that can be named . This trul y apostolical man had many difficulties to grapple with ( the surest tests of virtuous principles ) , arising from the times wherein he . lived , and the prejudices of education , having come into the world about the middle of the rei gn of Henry V 11 I . and been brought up in the principles of Popery . But such was the native honesty of his disposition , such the prudence of his
behaviour , such his application to the discovery of truth , such , in a word , the innocence , simplicity , and beauty of his whole conduct , that he surmounted all his difficulties , relinquished the absurdities and superstitions of that reli gion wherein he was educated , became an ornament to the protestant cause , was zealous in asserting its honours , and , till the close of life , shewed so warm a concern for the good of mankind , and the interests of true reli gion , and discharged