Southwell addressed his "Epistle of Comfort" to Philip, Earl of Arundel. This and other of his religious tracts, "A Short Rule of Good Life", "Triumphs over Death", and a "Humble Supplication to Queen Elizabeth", circulated in manuscript. "Mary Magdalen's Funeral Tears" was openly published in 1591. It proved to be very popular, going through ten editions by 1636. Thomas Nashe's imitation of "Mary Magdalen's Funeral Tears" in "Christ's Tears over Jerusalem" proves that the works received recognition outside of Catholic circles.