He had originally wished to become a doctor, but later showed preference for work in the religious ministry.
In 1860 he accepted the Boyle Lectureship on the nomination of Bishop Tait, and in 1861 was appointed a select preacher at Oxford.
In 1863 he moved to Christ Church, Surbiton, and in 1867 was appointed Bampton Lecturer at Oxford.
He had previously declined invitations to succeed Dr. Miller at St. Martin's, Birmingham, and to fill the fashionable pulpit of St Paul's, Onslow Square, London.
Garbett's health deteriorated during his time at Barcombe, and he became paralysed on 11 October 1886.