Henry was still under the impression of the famous _Supplication of the Beggars_, when Luther's interference increased his anger. The letter which, at the advice of Christiern, king of Denmark, this reformer had written to him in September 1525, had miscarried. The Wittemberg doctor hearing nothing of it, had boldly printed it, and sent a copy to the king. "I am informed," said Luther, "that your Majesty is beginning to favour the Gospel,[637] and to be disgusted with the perverse race that fights against it in your noble kingdom.... It is true that, according to Scripture, _the kings of the earth take counsel together against the Lord_, and we cannot, consequently, expect to see them favourable to the truth. How fervently do I wish that this miracle may be accomplished in the person of your Majesty."[638] [637] Majestatem tuam cæpisse favere Evangelio. Cochlæus, p. 136. [638] Huic miraculo in Majestate tua quam opto ex totis medullis. Ibid. p. 127. [Sidenote: HENRY'S REPLY.] We may imagine Henry's wrath as he read this letter. "What!" said he, "does this apostate monk dare print a letter addressed to us, without having even sent it, or at the least without knowing if we have ever received it?... And as if that were not enough, he insinuates that we are among his partisans.... He wins over also one or two wretches, born in our kingdom, and engages them to translate the New Testament into English, adding thereto certain prefaces and poisonous glosses." Thus spoke Henry. The idea that his name should be associated with that of the Wittemberg monk called all the blood into his face. He will reply right royally to such unblushing impudence. He summoned Wolsey forthwith. "Here!" said he, pointing to a passage concerning the prelate, "here! read what is said of you!" And then he read aloud: "_Illud monstrum et publicum odium Dei et hominum, cardinalis Eboracensis, pestis illa regni tui_. You see, my lord, you are a _monster_, an object of _hatred_ both to God and man, the _scourge_ of my kingdom!" The king had hitherto allowed the bishops to do as they pleased, and observed a sort of neutrality. He now determined to lay it aside and begin a crusade against the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but he must first answer this impertinent letter. He consulted Sir Thomas More, shut himself in his closet, and dictated to his secretary a reply to the reformer: "You are ashamed of the book you have written against me," he said, "I would counsel you to be ashamed of all that you have written. They are full of disgusting errors and frantic heresies; and are supported by the most audacious obstinacy. Your venemous pen mocks the church, insults the fathers, abuses the saints, despises the apostles, dishonours the holy virgin, and blasphemes God, by making him the author of evil.... And after all that, you claim to be an author whose like does not exist in the world!"[639]