A piththy note to Papists all and some that ioy in Feltons Martirdome Desiring them to read this and to iudge & not in spite at simple truth to grudge. Set foorth by one that knew his life, and was with him at the houre of his death, which was the viii. of August. Anno. 1570. at the west end of Paules Churche ouer against the Bishops gate, where he set up the Bul [by Thomas Knell] |
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 | A piththy note to Papists all and some that ioy in Feltons Martirdome |  |
A PITHTHY NOTE to Papists all and some
that ioy in Feltons Martirdome.
Desiring them to read this and to iudge
& not in spite at simple truth to grudge.
Set foorth by one that knew his life, and was with him at the houre of his death, which was the viii. of August. Anno. 1570. at the west end of Paules Churche ouer against the Bishops gate, where he set vp the Bul.
Long
lenitie abusde, at lēgth
dooth lend deserued hire:
Whē mercy ouer moou'd with vice
gins kīdle Iustice ire.
dooth lend deserued hire:
Whē mercy ouer moou'd with vice
gins kīdle Iustice ire.
As now may wel discerned be
Unto the smart of such
As heaped vp vnfruteful hope
and pitie proou'd to much.
Unto the smart of such
As heaped vp vnfruteful hope
and pitie proou'd to much.
But so it is when follyes flud
makes wisdom lowe at eb:
And where for harty looue such doo
winde vp soule Treasons web.
makes wisdom lowe at eb:
And where for harty looue such doo
winde vp soule Treasons web.
As Felton fond hath surely felt
for fault of treason hye:
So all wil vouch whose hartes (with God
and Prince) are not awrie
for fault of treason hye:
So all wil vouch whose hartes (with God
and Prince) are not awrie
And as ye Nortons twain did taste
of late for like offence:
Whom Iustcie paid by portion iust
a righteous recompence.
of late for like offence:
Whom Iustcie paid by portion iust
a righteous recompence.
Yet Felton past, when wilful deed
of his was wel descryed:
For why? he neuer blushe for shame,
nor much the same denyed.
of his was wel descryed:
For why? he neuer blushe for shame,
nor much the same denyed.
The Bul bewitcht his caluish braine
And Pius his deer god:
Made him to bolde for his behoof,
to taste of such a rod.
And Pius his deer god:
Made him to bolde for his behoof,
to taste of such a rod.
He durst presume good Catholick,
t'erect vp forraine power:
And Subiects faithful hartes now wel
by flattery to deuoure.
t'erect vp forraine power:
by flattery to deuoure.
As though at once all Englād would
haue shrūk at Pius curse:
And that the Childe at strangers beck
would leaue his painful nurse.
haue shrūk at Pius curse:
And that the Childe at strangers beck
would leaue his painful nurse.
The blessing of the Pope he thought
would sure haue take such place:
That English men with Cap and knee
would straight the same imbrace.
would sure haue take such place:
That English men with Cap and knee
would straight the same imbrace.
What ment be els to fix the Bul
on Bishops Pallaice gate:
But that he thought by somes return
to mend his owne estate.
on Bishops Pallaice gate:
But that he thought by somes return
to mend his owne estate.
But English men God haue ye praise
wish rather his curse stil:
Then with his blessing to receiue
bothe soule and bodyes il.
wish rather his curse stil:
Then with his blessing to receiue
bothe soule and bodyes il.
Gods curse dooth light where he dooth blesse
as Malachi dooth tel:
As Felton and and the rest haue tried
which seru'd the Pope ful wel.
as Malachi dooth tel:
As Felton and and the rest haue tried
which seru'd the Pope ful wel.
But Papists say they are moste blest
for dying in his cause:
Because he wil their soules redeem
from hel and Sathans clawes.
for dying in his cause:
Because he wil their soules redeem
from hel and Sathans clawes.
And Felton cheefly they commend
For his coragious minde:
Which vnto Pope and holy Church
did shew him self so kinde.
For his coragious minde:
Which vnto Pope and holy Church
did shew him self so kinde.
Wherfore a blessed Martyr they
doo rightly him confesse:
Which mooues me moste for vertues sake
to prooue him nothing lesse.
doo rightly him confesse:
Which mooues me moste for vertues sake
to prooue him nothing lesse.
For eu'ry kinde of death dooth not
deserue a Martyrs name:
But many sundry deaths doo bring
the dyers endles shame
deserue a Martyrs name:
But many sundry deaths doo bring
the dyers endles shame
All Theeues and Murderers that dye
all Fellons cast by law:
All Traitors and all Hereticks
which GOD nor man doo aw.
all Fellons cast by law:
All Traitors and all Hereticks
which GOD nor man doo aw.
Are not by death of theirs in count
of Martyrs which doo dye:
Though Papists brag that he is one
but giue them leaue to lye.
of Martyrs which doo dye:
Though Papists brag that he is one
but giue them leaue to lye.
The death dooth not the Martyr make
but sure the righteous cause:
When Tirants force, the righteous hart
to violate Gods lawes.
but sure the righteous cause:
When Tirants force, the righteous hart
to violate Gods lawes.
When Infidelles depraue the truthe
and Christians it maintain:
In giuing of their bloods for it,
they win the Martyrs gain.
and Christians it maintain:
In giuing of their bloods for it,
they win the Martyrs gain.
Ignatius wan the noble crown
of martirdom ye tho
Cassianus and Laurence they
did win the same also.
of martirdom ye tho
Cassianus and Laurence they
did win the same also.
Saint Stephen and Saint Peter they
wan Martyrs gain by right:
So did Maturus and the rest
that suffred for the light.
wan Martyrs gain by right:
that suffred for the light.
Whose liues by truthe were soūdly led
whose ends did shew no lesse:
whose māers were vpright, whose faith
did perfit looue expresse.
whose ends did shew no lesse:
whose māers were vpright, whose faith
did perfit looue expresse.
But Feltons life did shew in fine
he did no Martyrs fact:
For exitus acta probat
the exit tries the act.
he did no Martyrs fact:
For exitus acta probat
the exit tries the act.
A roistring shifting Prodigall
so he his time did spend:
Which sought of eu'ry one to haue
that able was to lend.
so he his time did spend:
Which sought of eu'ry one to haue
that able was to lend.
The Psalmist in his Psalmes dooth paīt
out Felton very plain:
The wicked man borowes (saith he)
and payeth not again.
out Felton very plain:
The wicked man borowes (saith he)
and payeth not again.
Of modestie in maners he
was seen to be ful scant:
And of Religious minde no dout
he had a dayly want.
was seen to be ful scant:
And of Religious minde no dout
he had a dayly want.
As for deuoutnes in his dayes
yea, after his owne sorte:
He neuer moild his sprites with prayer,
his hart was set on sport.
yea, after his owne sorte:
He neuer moild his sprites with prayer,
his hart was set on sport.
A Papists hart he had not sure
for Papists are deuout:
Although their zele doo knowledge lack
in that they go about.
for Papists are deuout:
Although their zele doo knowledge lack
in that they go about.
For he ne zele ne knowledge had,
but droue to spend the time:
He past not with what kinde of men
nor of what kinde of cryme.
but droue to spend the time:
He past not with what kinde of men
nor of what kinde of cryme.
So he by flattering might obtain
to liue by others sweat:
Ne Lands he had ne hands did seek
to get the bread he eat.
to liue by others sweat:
Ne Lands he had ne hands did seek
to get the bread he eat.
But heer & there with Thrasoes brood
the simple to deride:
But cheef a scoffer of Gods woord
as often he was tride.
the simple to deride:
But cheef a scoffer of Gods woord
as often he was tride.
A Plesemē right which seru'd ye time
though fed with Romish hope:
And now beholde the Saint he seru'd
hath blest him with a Rope.
though fed with Romish hope:
And now beholde the Saint he seru'd
hath blest him with a Rope.
A foole bewitcht he was of some
who watcht the falling Skies.
And lookt for Larkes but purpose mist
his flesh must feed the Flyes.
who watcht the falling Skies.
And lookt for Larkes but purpose mist
his flesh must feed the Flyes.
An irreligious Traitor was
this Felton, trust me true:
A fit resembler in our time
of Eleazar the Iew.
this Felton, trust me true:
A fit resembler in our time
of Eleazar the Iew.
Companion with Iehocanan
nay Schimions equal mate:
Which sought Iherusalem to spoile
by their discentious bate.
nay Schimions equal mate:
Which sought Iherusalem to spoile
by their discentious bate.
And as for any signe that was
in him of godly feare:
His moste licencious life did shew
his hart came neuer there.
in him of godly feare:
his hart came neuer there.
Til at his very end where as
he saw it would not bee:
But that he must as Traitor rank
go scale the Gallow tree.
he saw it would not bee:
But that he must as Traitor rank
go scale the Gallow tree.
Then fear of death gan prick his flesh
whiche wicked men dooth touch:
Whē their il cause, their cōsciēce pricks
and burthens them to much.
whiche wicked men dooth touch:
Whē their il cause, their cōsciēce pricks
and burthens them to much.
As Cain and Iudas ouer fraid
with Gods eternal ire:
Yet some wil say that Felton did
Gods mercy then desire.
with Gods eternal ire:
Yet some wil say that Felton did
Gods mercy then desire.
In deed in Popish sore he shewd
him self then to relent:
But who can say he shewd such faith
as made him right repent?
him self then to relent:
But who can say he shewd such faith
as made him right repent?
Of wandring faith he shewd sōe taste
as Papists vse to holde:
That Christe their sauior is in parte,
but faith was not (be bolde)
as Papists vse to holde:
That Christe their sauior is in parte,
but faith was not (be bolde)
In him that made him then to say
Christe is my sauiour:
Ne that he trusted only sure
saluation by his power.
Christe is my sauiour:
Ne that he trusted only sure
saluation by his power.
Ne cald he back his sclanderous woords,
he spake against Gods truthe:
Ne did gainsay his traiterous blast
before bothe age and youth.
he spake against Gods truthe:
Ne did gainsay his traiterous blast
before bothe age and youth.
Which he had spoke agaīst our Queen
before in Iudgement hall:
But only for this fact heer doon,
her mercy I doo call.
before in Iudgement hall:
But only for this fact heer doon,
her mercy I doo call.
(said he) for this offence of mine
heer doon that she forgiue:
But from the rest against her power
and Throne he did not meeue.
heer doon that she forgiue:
But from the rest against her power
and Throne he did not meeue.
He had before denide her grace
our lawful Queen to bee:
And of her Supreme power (he said)
she ought not haue it shee.
our lawful Queen to bee:
And of her Supreme power (he said)
she ought not haue it shee.
Oh traiterous hart, oh Martyr vile,
such Martyrs now a dayes:
Would fain be made to Morter thin
to stop the hollow wayes.
such Martyrs now a dayes:
Would fain be made to Morter thin
to stop the hollow wayes.
He neuer once relented this
not once before his death:
But as malicious Traitor, he
on Gallows gaue his breth.
not once before his death:
But as malicious Traitor, he
on Gallows gaue his breth.
Wher as he said in midst Guilde Hall,
before the Iudgement seat:
That they might wel his body take,
but more they could not get.
before the Iudgement seat:
That they might wel his body take,
but more they could not get.
For why? his soule he had commit
vnto his hollow hope:
To Iesus Christe? to him think yee?
nay to his dad the Pope.
vnto his hollow hope:
To Iesus Christe? to him think yee?
nay to his dad the Pope.
Oh Traitor bolde to Christe God
oh prowd blasphemous tung:
That euer popish ignorance
should rest in olde or yung.
oh prowd blasphemous tung:
should rest in olde or yung.
whē Christe hath shed his deerest blood
when Christes hart was rent:
When Christe hath paid the price for vs
his Father to content.
when Christes hart was rent:
When Christe hath paid the price for vs
his Father to content.
Shall we once dare alas to say,
when other name is none:
But Iesus Christe to saue our soules
by his deer death alone?
when other name is none:
But Iesus Christe to saue our soules
by his deer death alone?
That Pius Pope our soules can saue
which can not saue him self:
But yeeld his power to mortal death
oh blinded Romish elf.
which can not saue him self:
But yeeld his power to mortal death
oh blinded Romish elf.
Was Paule for vs once crucified?
was Mary, Mark or Iohn?
No, no, it was our Iesus Christe
to whom be praise alone.
was Mary, Mark or Iohn?
No, no, it was our Iesus Christe
to whom be praise alone.
But Papists make of him least count,
which took the greatest pain:
And all their trust is stil in them
that giue the smallest gain.
which took the greatest pain:
And all their trust is stil in them
that giue the smallest gain.
If Felton had those woordes denied,
though euen at the last end:
I would haue said and many mo,
he had been Christes freend.
though euen at the last end:
I would haue said and many mo,
he had been Christes freend.
His death was nothing Martir like,
he died a Papist blinde:
An Enemy to Christe and Queen,
a Monster out of kinde.
he died a Papist blinde:
An Enemy to Christe and Queen,
a Monster out of kinde.
A new stert vp Herostratus,
to get himself a name:
Though that his deed and end shal be
ay to his endles shame.
to get himself a name:
Though that his deed and end shal be
ay to his endles shame.
For as the fame of Godly men
shall ouerliue the graue:
So Fame dooth yeeld to wicked men
the right that they should haue.
shall ouerliue the graue:
So Fame dooth yeeld to wicked men
the right that they should haue.
So long as Guilde Hall dooth remain,
there shall remain like wise:
A memory of Feltons facts,
before all peoples eyes.
there shall remain like wise:
A memory of Feltons facts,
before all peoples eyes.
Iohn Felton Traitor which denied
the Queen our supreme head:
Iohn Felton Traitor which aduanc't
the Pope his Bul of lead.
the Queen our supreme head:
Iohn Felton Traitor which aduanc't
the Pope his Bul of lead.
Iohn Felton Traitor which did seek
a forren power to place:
Against our Queen Elizabeth,
high Treason to her grace.
a forren power to place:
Against our Queen Elizabeth,
high Treason to her grace.
Iohn Felton Traitor which so raild
against the Iudges graue:
Iohn Felton Traitor, which denied
his Iudgement for to haue.
against the Iudges graue:
Iohn Felton Traitor, which denied
his Iudgement for to haue.
Yea if that men doo want to read
the Libelles that are writ:
The pauing stones wil witnes bear
his Treason to requit.
the Libelles that are writ:
The pauing stones wil witnes bear
his Treason to requit.
His Blasphemyes. his raging spite,
his brainles wilful talke,
Dame Fame with Eccho shall resound
in eu'ry caue to walke.
his brainles wilful talke,
in eu'ry caue to walke.
Iohn Felton Papist heer was raignd,
that Traiterous rebel meer:
That faithles man, that Hypocrite
receiued Iudgement heer.
that Traiterous rebel meer:
That faithles man, that Hypocrite
receiued Iudgement heer.
So long as Newgate stands in sight,
his memory shall last:
And witnes bear what blasphemies
out of his mouth he cast.
his memory shall last:
And witnes bear what blasphemies
out of his mouth he cast.
When learned men & Preachers graue
bestowd their learned pain:
To win his Soule to Iesus Christe
how he did them disdaine.
bestowd their learned pain:
To win his Soule to Iesus Christe
how he did them disdaine.
How obstinatly he did rest
in his vnskilful minde:
That none could him perswade to see
he was so wilful blinde.
in his vnskilful minde:
That none could him perswade to see
he was so wilful blinde.
That shall the Stones of Newgate tel,
if Papists would denye:
And how he did aduaunce the Pope
whiche made him sence so hye.
if Papists would denye:
And how he did aduaunce the Pope
whiche made him sence so hye.
Refusing councel of Gods Book
none could perswade his hart:
In any point to trust the truthe
wherby he should conuert.
none could perswade his hart:
In any point to trust the truthe
wherby he should conuert.
The stayers there in morne can tel
how Preachers did exhort:
That he wauld change his foolish minde
as Christe the strongest Fort.
how Preachers did exhort:
That he wauld change his foolish minde
as Christe the strongest Fort.
But stil he said, I am tight wel
perswaded sure I:
And as I am perswaded, so
I mene in that to dye.
perswaded sure I:
And as I am perswaded, so
I mene in that to dye.
In Christe if his perswasion were
no dout there was no shame:
But that vnto the Church of GOD
he might haue tolde the same.
no dout there was no shame:
But that vnto the Church of GOD
he might haue tolde the same.
For (Corde creditur) saith Paule
with hart to think makes iust:
But (Ore fit) Confession is
saluacion sure to trust.
with hart to think makes iust:
But (Ore fit) Confession is
saluacion sure to trust.
But his Confession there did tel,
what faith was in his minde:
Unto his sauiour Iesus Christe
truly but small to finde
what faith was in his minde:
Unto his sauiour Iesus Christe
truly but small to finde
But to the Pope that horned beast
his hart was fixt ful sure:
And it to leaue while life did last
none could him once procure.
his hart was fixt ful sure:
And it to leaue while life did last
none could him once procure.
The Draile wheron he lay fast bound
in midst olde baily street:
Shall tel that Preachers woords for ay
which then there did him meet.
in midst olde baily street:
Shall tel that Preachers woords for ay
which then there did him meet.
Oh Felton (said he) now relent
now dooth approche the time:
When it wilbe to late for thee
for too repent thy cryme.
now dooth approche the time:
When it wilbe to late for thee
for too repent thy cryme.
Now yeeld to Christe, trust in his blood
defy the Pope and all:
Defy his Bulles and Pardons vile,
which haue begun thy thrall.
defy the Pope and all:
which haue begun thy thrall.
GOD yet dooth offer thee his grace,
Christe Iesus spredes his armes:
Yet to receiue thy soule to grace
and to preuent thy harmes.
Christe Iesus spredes his armes:
Yet to receiue thy soule to grace
and to preuent thy harmes.
But he as graceles heeld on stil
in latin Prayers tho:
And gaue no eare vnto the man
that did exhort him so.
in latin Prayers tho:
And gaue no eare vnto the man
that did exhort him so.
At last the Preacher said again,
oh Felton yet forsake
Thine errors blinde, by Iesus Christe
a perfit end to make.
oh Felton yet forsake
Thine errors blinde, by Iesus Christe
a perfit end to make.
As thogh (said he) moste stoutly then,
ye would the People blase:
And make them think I died not wel
this said he without maze.
ye would the People blase:
And make them think I died not wel
this said he without maze.
So may they think (quod he again)
except thou doo repent:
Because against bothe Christe & Queen,
thy Treason thou hast bent.
except thou doo repent:
Because against bothe Christe & Queen,
thy Treason thou hast bent.
Oh iudge me not (quod Felton then)
I'le iudge (quod th'other) thee:
For Christe hath taught me by the frutees
alwayes to iudge the Tree.
I'le iudge (quod th'other) thee:
For Christe hath taught me by the frutees
alwayes to iudge the Tree.
While thou art heer I iudge thy deed
but GOD shall iudge thee ay:
And if thou doo not now repent,
Hel fire shalbe thy pay.
but GOD shall iudge thee ay:
And if thou doo not now repent,
Hel fire shalbe thy pay.
All this benignitie of GOD,
this Felton did dispise:
And gaue no ear til as he saw
the Gallows with his eyes.
this Felton did dispise:
And gaue no ear til as he saw
the Gallows with his eyes.
Which Gallow tree in Paules Churche yard
shall tel the endles shame:
Of Felton there for Treason hangd
to peril of his name.
shall tel the endles shame:
Of Felton there for Treason hangd
to peril of his name.
And eke the Groūd shall witnes bear
how Conscience his was vrged:
By Preachers, which by truthe did hope
his hart then to haue purged.
how Conscience his was vrged:
By Preachers, which by truthe did hope
his hart then to haue purged.
But GOD (I think) had thē shut vp
the bowelles of his grace:
To him, whose stubburn hart before
refusde truthe to imbrace.
the bowelles of his grace:
To him, whose stubburn hart before
refusde truthe to imbrace.
For Miserere on his knees
all trembling he did say:
But softly to him self that few
could hear what he did pray.
all trembling he did say:
But softly to him self that few
could hear what he did pray.
Belike he thought as Papists doo,
the Latin to excel:
And so he thought his prayer said
therin to be ful wel.
the Latin to excel:
And so he thought his prayer said
therin to be ful wel.
For he did neuer once desire
Gods people to assist
Him in his prayers he then made,
but did euen as he list.
Gods people to assist
Him in his prayers he then made,
but did euen as he list.
Much les then to repent his fall
and turn to GOD by grace:
On Ladder he gan speke alowd,
maintaining of his cace.
and turn to GOD by grace:
maintaining of his cace.
And purg'd his hart of Treason quite
that euer it was cleer:
Which when the woorthy Sherif heard,
he said that all might hear.
that euer it was cleer:
Which when the woorthy Sherif heard,
he said that all might hear.
Felton, a more malicious feat
of Treason neuer was:
Then thou a Traitor rāk hast wrought
and falsly brought to passe.
of Treason neuer was:
Then thou a Traitor rāk hast wrought
and falsly brought to passe.
Then was he hanged vp a while,
in what a cace GOD knowes:
Such as haue iudgement in the act,
I leaue the end to those.
in what a cace GOD knowes:
Such as haue iudgement in the act,
I leaue the end to those.
Cut down he was and liu'd again,
but after spake not much:
For why? the Executioner seru'd
him but a Traitors tuch.
but after spake not much:
For why? the Executioner seru'd
him but a Traitors tuch.
So no good signe in life or death
of any Christian minde:
But as he liu'd (I say) he died
a paruerst Papist blinde.
of any Christian minde:
But as he liu'd (I say) he died
a paruerst Papist blinde.
But this may make the Papists ioy,
that they had one so stout:
For their Relgion and their looue,
to passe such torments out.
that they had one so stout:
For their Relgion and their looue,
to passe such torments out.
But let them stay, Religion was
no cause why he so died:
But sure because the English lawes
a Traitor rank him tried.
no cause why he so died:
But sure because the English lawes
a Traitor rank him tried.
He would haue made Religion
his plea when he was brought
To his examination,
but that preuaild him nought.
his plea when he was brought
To his examination,
but that preuaild him nought.
For his Religion they had not
to dele with him at all:
But for high Treason he was iudged,
in midst of the Guilde Hall.
to dele with him at all:
But for high Treason he was iudged,
in midst of the Guilde Hall.
And when he saw Religious scuse
could not his torment stay:
But that he must by force of Law
to Traitors death obey.
could not his torment stay:
But that he must by force of Law
to Traitors death obey.
Such Sprite him led as in him was
moste wilfully to stand
Against Gods truthe whiche now is preacht
throughout this Britain Lād.
moste wilfully to stand
Against Gods truthe whiche now is preacht
throughout this Britain Lād.
So, somtime GOD for sinners sakes
dooth giue the Deuil power:
To holde mens mindes in error fast,
that he should them deuoure.
dooth giue the Deuil power:
To holde mens mindes in error fast,
that he should them deuoure.
And Sathan is so false him self
that he can soon infect
All such with vile Hypocrisie
whom GOD wil so reiect.
that he can soon infect
All such with vile Hypocrisie
whom GOD wil so reiect.
But sure I think if Treason has
not brought him to his death:
Religion neuer was so deer
to him as t'end his breth.
not brought him to his death:
Religion neuer was so deer
to him as t'end his breth.
For neuer yet was heard or seen
for such Religions sake:
That any only haue been brought
to dye at Block or Stake.
for such Religions sake:
to dye at Block or Stake.
Ful many of that godles sect
haue been attainted sure:
And haue for Treason suffred smarts
as Law dooth right procure.
haue been attainted sure:
And haue for Treason suffred smarts
as Law dooth right procure.
And haue in iudgement and in death
as destitute of grace:
Continewd as this Felton did
which makes me rue his cace.
as destitute of grace:
Continewd as this Felton did
which makes me rue his cace.
For sure his bodyes death I nought
at all did then lament:
But death of body and of soule
dooth make my hart relent.
at all did then lament:
But death of body and of soule
dooth make my hart relent.
Beware ye papists all take heed
I read you yet beware:
And cast all Popery from your harts
take heed of hellish rore.
I read you yet beware:
And cast all Popery from your harts
take heed of hellish rore.
And if you wil not, yet be true
to GOD and our good Queen:
I pray to GOD that all your endes
as Feltons may be seen.
to GOD and our good Queen:
I pray to GOD that all your endes
as Feltons may be seen.
And GOD saue Queen Elizabeth
from Papists wil and power:
That sharpned swoord by Gospelles force
may all her Foes deuoure.
from Papists wil and power:
That sharpned swoord by Gospelles force
may all her Foes deuoure.
Amen.
T. Knel. Iuni.
| A piththy note to Papists all and some that ioy in Feltons Martirdome | |