spirite into yours swete hart. MarginaliaIeremy. 20Ah good Ieremy, hath Phasure put thee in the stockes?
This reference helps to date this letter; Bishop Bonner placed Philpot in the stocks on 20 November 1555.
pot in dede, filled with moste precious licour, as it appeareth by the plenteous pourynge forth of the same, Oh pot most happye, of thy high Potter ordayned to honor, whyche doest contayne suche heauenly treasure in thy earthē vessel, Oh pot thrise happy, in whom Christe hath wrought a great miracle, altering thy nature, and turning water into wine, and that of the best, wherout the maister of the feast hath fylled my cup so ful, that I am become dronkē in ioy of the spirit through the same. Whē martirdom shal breake thee (O vessel of honor) I knowe the fragraunt sauour of thy precious Narde will much reioyce the heauy hartes of Christes true members, although the Iudasses wyl grudge & murmure at the same, yea & burst out into wordes of sclaunder, saying: it is but lost & wast. Be not offended dere hart, at my Metaphorical speach. For I am disposed to be mery, and with Dauid to daunce before the Arke of the Lord, & though you playe vpon a payre of Organes not verye comelye or easy to the flesh, yet the sweete sounde that came from the same, causeth me thus to do. O that I were with you in body, as presently I am in spirite, that I myght syng al care away in Christe. For nowe the tyme of comforte is come. I hope to bee with you shortlye, yf all thynges happen aryght. For my olde frendes of Couentrye haue putte the Counsell in remembraunce of me, not syxe daies ago, sayinge that I am more woorthye to be burnt, then any that was burned yet. Gods blessing on their hartes for their good reporte. God make me worthy of that dignitye, and hasten the tyme, that I might set foorth his glorye. Pray for me deare hart I besech you, and wyl al your company to doo the same, and I wyll praye god for you all so longe as I lyue. And now farewel in Christe thou blessed of Gods own mouth. I wyl for a time take my leaue, but not my last farewell. Blessed bee the tyme that euer I came into the Kinges bench, to be ioyned in loue and fellowship with suche dere children of the Lord. My good brother Bradford shal not be dead whiles you be aliue. For verelye the spirit of him dothe rest on you in most ample wise. Your letters of comfort vnto me in eche point doo agree, as thoughe the one were a copye of the other. He hath planted in me, and you doo water: the Lorde geue good increase. My deare brethren and felowe prisoners here, ehaue them humbly and hartely commended vnto you, and your company, mourning for your miserye, but yet reioycing for your plenteous consolation and comforte in Christ. We are al cherefull and merye vnder oure crosse, and doo lacke no necessaries, praised bee god for his prouidence, and great mercie to wardes vs for euermore. Amen.
[Back to Top]For as much as mencion here is made of a letter of comfort to Ihon Careles, written by Ihon Philpot, I thought therfore by the occasion therof not to forget an other godly letter of the said autor, full of vertuous instruction written vnto certen godly women, whereby all the rest maye take the like aduertisement, for the information and instruction of their owne liues, and godly behauiour.
[Back to Top]