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

Such as be any thing acquainted with y• Histories of the antiquity, can not be ignorant, ⟨image 34⟩how vehement was the contention betwixt Nicolaus the first, and certain of y• Bishops of Germany, for the divorcement and second marriage, of Lotharius King of Ungarie. Which of the two parties had the just action, we dispute not: but what were the crimes lade to the Pap in those days, we shall shortly touch. After that Tetogaudus & Guntherus, who were y• two chief Bishops that opponed them selves to the pride of that Roman Bishop, had largely purged them selves of all things wherewith he charged them. They enter in into most bitter accusation of the said Nicolas Pap. And after other things they lade to his charge, that most tyrannically he had oppressed the liberty of the spouse of Jesus Christ. And after that they have rehearsed the principal ornaments wherewith y• true Kirk was decored. They, say, Quae benesicia tu veluti latro intercipis,¹ templo dei preripis, in •eque transfers. &c. And after. Tu pontificis quidem personā prae te fers, ac tyrannum agitas: sub habitu & cultu pastoris, lupum sentimus: titulus parentē mentitur, luce factis jovem ostentas. That is, which benefits thou as a murderer cutteth of, and takes away from the ⟨image 34⟩Kirk of God, transferring them unto thy self. Thou show is the person of a pasture, but plainly thou plays the tyrant: under the habit & clothing of a shepherd, we feel the cruelty of a Wolf. The title lies, for it calleth the father: but thou thy self into thy works shows, the thundering of Jupiter. &c. And therefore (say they) we know not thy voce: we regard not thy statutes: nether yet fear we thy bulls, nor thunderings.² If thou pretend to interdict us, we fear not to cut thy throat with thy own sword: For the holy ghost is author of all y• Kirks wheresoever they be dispersed upon the face of the earth.