An answer to a letter of a Jesuit named Tyrie, be John KnoxAn answer to a letter of a Iesuit named Tyrie, be Iohne Knox

But the promise maid to Jerusalem,¹ appertains unto the Kirk. Ergo whosoever seruis not the Kirk shall perish.² This hol• argument we admit, and m•st constantly we do affirm it, and yet shall he never be able to prove his intent,³ which is, that y• Kirk of Scotland is no Kirk. We will open the wound which the writer of the letter keeps covered, & yet it most grieves him, as it doeth the rest of all papistis. The Realm of Scotland (all praise to God) hes refused the Pap that Roman Antichrist, and not only be preaching, but also ⟨image 9⟩be the public Laws hes damned his tyrannical laws, his odious superstitions, and usurped jurisdiction. And therefore cry the papistis that we are declined from the true Kirk, and are fallen back from the Catholic faith.⁴ But before that they be able to convict us of those crimes, they mom preif two things, former, that whatsoever was promised to Jerusalem does properly and only appertain unto Rome, and this mon they do not be conjectures, but be plane words as God pronounced be his Prophet of Jerusalem. This is the first. The second is, that albeit Rome were as able to prove a promise maid to it, as Jerusalem was of whom it was said: This is my rest, hear will I dwell, because I have chosen it. And albeit that the popes of Rome whom he styles the perpetual succession of that Kirk, had as an assured & plane probation, that be god they were called, be God they were admitted, and that be God they should be maintained in their ministry & function, as that the Levites and succession of Aaron had to produce at all times for their defence, yet if they (we say) who call them selves the successors of the Apostles be not able to prove that they have constantly ⟨image 10⟩remained in the first league & covenant which Christ Jesus maid with his Apostles when he send them forth, to preach the glad tidings of the Kingdom, and to establish his Throne, not only amongst the Jews, but also amongst the Gentiles, according to the former prophecies. Albeit we say that all their former they were able to prove (as they are never able to do) yet have they said nothing y may help their cause, nor urt ours, onles that they therewith plainly prove y the Kirk of Rome and the succession of the same hes remained and yet remaineth in the original purity of the Apostles, in doctrine, life, laws & ceremonies.