A.D. 1228.] EXCOMMUNICATION ΟΓ TUE ΕΜΡΕΠΟΙΙ. tif the sentence passed upon the emperor. About that timo, pope Gregory, «h o had, as it seemed to him, permitted the emperor's contumacy and contempt of Christ to go too long unpunished, at length, that ho might not seem like a dog unable to bark, by the advice of his cardinals excommunicated the said emperor, and by apostolic letters ordered this sentence to be published in the various parts of the world. Amongst others whom ho ordered to make it public was Stephen archbishop of Canterbury, to whom he wrote as follows :— " Gregory, bishop, to Stephen archbishop of Canterbury, greeting, X:c. The large vessel of Peter is placed on the wide ocean, or rather is exposed to the storms and billows so continually, that it sometimes happens that its pilots and rowers can scarcely breathe amidst the violence of the deluging showers ; for if at one titne it is making for port with full sail before a fair wind, the wind suddenly rushes on it from an opposite quarter and, driven on by Him who breathes forth flames of fire, the ship is carried into deep water and to the wide ocean, where it is surrounded by the billows, and yet it is not overwhelmed, for the Lord, who sits in it, is awaked by the cries of his disciples, puts the stormy spirits to flight, commands the sea and the winds, and there is a calm. Four gusts arc attacking this ship ; for the infidel host of pagans impiously retain possession of the famous land which is rendered holy by the blood of Christ ; the fury of tyrants, plundering worldly possessions, destroys justice and tramples under foot the liberty of the church ; the madness of heretics endeavours to rend asunder the garment of Christ, and to subvert the sacrament of the faith ; and the deceitful perversity of false brethren and sons shakes the bowels and rends the side of their mother. And thus, outside there is fighting, but fear within; the sword slays abroad, and in the houses death is likewise threatened ; and thus it often happens that the church of Christ is overwhelmed with troubles ; whilst she thinks she is cherishing sons, she is nourishing in her bosom fire, serpents, and cockatrices, which endeavour to destro) all things with their breath, their gnawing, and their tlames. Hence it is. that, to destroy monsters of this kind, to deb at hostile bands, and to assuage the rough tempests, the apostolic sec at this time, with much care, educated a certain pupil, namely the emperor Frederic, whom it received charge