Gent was the ‘glory and ornament’ of a yeoman family established at Moynes since the fourteenth century. During his one Parliament, sitting for his local borough, he served on nine committees, concerning outlawries (12 May 1572), Middlesex jurors (19, 22 May), juries (5 Mar. 1576), benefit of clergy (7 Mar.), collateral warranties (7 Mar.), statutes of the staple (28 Jan. 1581), Dover harbour (4 Mar.) and the draining of Erith and Plumstead marshes (8 Mar.). A speech is also recorded in his name on 22 May 1572 concerning Middlesex freeholders.
He served on a number of commissions and inquiries, devoted part of his wealth to rebuilding Moynes in or about 1590, and his children married well. He died intestate in 1593 and was buried at Steeple Bumpstead.