17. Bartlett Green
Explanatory Notes
168 with all his examinations that came to our hands: despite the harshness of his imprisonment, Philpot, like other prisoners, succeeded at obtaining writing materials in order to record transcripts of their examinations for heresy.
of his keeper: by his keeper.
John Careless: a weaver from Coventry, who corresponded with and copied manuscripts for Protestant prisoners during his incarceration in London.
the way to . . . narrow gate: Matthew 7: 14.
170 neither life neither death is able to separate us from the love of Christ's gospel: see Romans 8: 38 – 9.
careless . . . careful: just as Philpot includes many puns on 'careless' and 'careful' in writing to Careless, Careless includes puns on full and empty pots in writing a letter to Philpot that is not included in this collection of narratives.
171 The Devil must rage for ten days: an allusion to Revelation 2: 10.
Master F.: Master Fokes (FBMO, n. on p. 1834).
17. BARTLETT GREEN
172 Thomas Whittle: a prisoner with whom John Philpot was incarcerated at Bishop Bonner's coal house (see Narrative 16).
the fountain . . . woman of Samaria: John 4: 10 – 15.
compartner: a copartner.
173 his one testimony: his own testimony.
adversary: Satan, the literal meaning of whose name in Hebrew is 'adversary'.
the devil . . . may devour: 1 Peter 5 – 8.
A patient . . . conquereth towns and cities: Proverbs 16: 32.
174 synagogue of Rome: Roman Catholic Church (Protestant jargon).
Christopher Goodman: this Protestant cleric, who was a close associate of Pietro Martire Vermigli, went into exile because of his religious convictions. His treatise, How Superior Powers Ought to Be Obeyed of Their
Subjects (Geneva, 1 January 1558), advocates resistance to tyrants, notably Mary I.
175 this letter . . . not yet dead: in sending this confirmation to Christopher Goodman, Green inadvertently invited a charge of treason for condoning the death of Mary I.
the anointed sort: the clerics.
Sir John Bourne: secretary to Mary I and a commissioner who examined many alleged heretics.
importable: capable of being brought in (meaning obscure).