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 now that the vanity of his argument may the more evidently appear, we will in as few words as we can examine the mind of the Prophet. Sic as diligently marks the scope of the Prophet Isaiah, shall clearly see, that from the 40. Cha. of his prophecy to the end of the same, he travels principally to comfort Jerusalem, and the Nation of the Jews, whose miserable destruction and fearful captivity he foresaw in spirit. Pronounced the same in his public sermonis, and left the memorial and undoubted Register thereof to the ⟨image 12⟩post eritie that was to follow, and was to be partakers of all the plagues that were before spoken. And least that they in the midst of yair calamity should have despaired of any deliverance: from the same 40. Chap. back we say, that the Prophet as y• Messenger of God's mercy pronounceth to Jerusalem, to Mont Zion, and to th• afflicted Jews, deliverance from captivity, the protection of God to be their defence, the destruction of Babylon, and of all their enemies. The coming of the Messiah promised unto them the felicity of his Kingdom, the vocation of the Gentiles, and finally the promises flowing from mercy that he had maid unto them to continue for ever. And among their many fold promises this was one, the Kingdom and the Nation that shall not serve thee, shall perish. Now gladly would we learn of the writer to what Realm, to what Nation, to what Province or City will he appoint us, that therein we may serve Jesus Christ, and his immaculate spouse the Kirk: to the end that we shall not perish, If he will name Rome & the Kirk thereof, then must we demand two things, y• former. What become of all the faithful […] ⟨image 13⟩space of a thousand years that flowed b• •uix the making of the former promises,¹ & the days of the Apostles, what time y• evangel began publicly to be offered unto the Gentiles. All which time Rome was nothing but a Den of Idolatry, we think he will not say that the faithful perished. And wear bold to say that the faithful served not Rome, nether yet th Kirk contained therein all that time. This is the first whereof we would be resolved. The second is, that if the writer will allege, that during all the time the promise foresaid appertained to Jerusalem & unto Mont Zion: