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

WE might have passed by this parcel without answer, because that nothing in it conceived, justly can be laid to our charge. For our worldly felicity, prosperity & rest, nether is, nether yet hes been at any time, sense we have embraced the Evangel of Jesus Christ, such as may nourish us in wickedness: nether yet are the Papists able to convict us of such impiety, as all the world know hath roung among them of more years then an hundred thrice told. And in the mean time to what honour and worldly dignity they are ascended, we make them selves judges. If they say the doctrine which we teach, is wondrously spread within this hundred years: So that now it hes almost red y• self forth of bondage. We would demand of the Papists, if the evangel of Jesus Christ, ceased to be the doctrine of Salvation, what time the Kirks gat rest in Judea and else ⟨image 29⟩where, in the days of the Apostles. If they answer, y• they mean no such thing. Then yet we demand, if the hand of the Lord be more shortened now, then that it was in the primitive Kirk: So that now he may not aswell maintain his truth, and enlarge the Kingdom of his only Son, as that he did in the days of the Apostles. Whatsoever the Papists shall answer, we are assured that nether is his power diminished, so that he may not maintain his truth: nether yet is his love so waxen cold towards his Kirk, but that he will in his anger remember upon mercy. Why do not those cruel men consider, what innocent blood hath been shed for the testimony of Christs Evangel, within these three score years. Would they that God at no time should show piety upon the patient suffering of his afflicted kirk? Would they that the sword should still devour? Would they that the flaming fires should never be quenched? If that so they would, they show them selves the Sons of him who hath been a murderer from the beginning, and yet continue in the same malice. But our God beareth towards his weak Children, a fatherly affection ⟨image 30⟩whereby he is moved sometimes to stay y• fu•ie and rage of Satan for a season: To the end that his chosen more gladly may prepare them selves to a new battle, True it is, the doctrine of salvation is greatly enlarged, & thereof we praise God: True it is, that Satan hath not universally such power to persecute as sometimes he hath had.