A.D. 1226.] ι:ι:!Ί.γ O F TUF . pori:. the effusion of Christian blood sometimes turned out unluckily to the gain of the emperor. And this said Thomas, or rather the emperor by his agency, is even now cruelly persecuting the above-named orders, and has by violence robbed them of their houses and possessions which thev held, and, to the manifest subversion of the liberty of the church, is endeavouring to deprive them of the privileges of the apostolic see, and to bring them under the imperial jurisdiction ; he also collected a hundred slaves which the hospitallers and templars had in Sicily and Apulia, and gave them up to the Saracens without making any recompence for them to the said orders ; and thus, as is plainly shown from the foregoing circumstances, he takes more account of the servants of Mahomet than those of Christ. And you may believe it for a fact, that, although the said emperor is reported to have put to sea with a few knights, he has sent a large army of Christians and a host of Saracens to attack the inheritance of the church, hereby giving a manifest proof to all of his malignity. lint, as I said, we have confidence in Him, who establishing his church on the rock of faith, will not allow it to be thrown down, however much the winds may vent their fury on it, or the waters overwhelm it. Since therefore we see that he is thus wickedly conspiring for the subversion of the Christian faith, and is venting his impious rage, we may well fear extreme peril ; but however long the iniquity of this impious man may continue, he can never prevail in his sin, but will rather be lost in it. Since, therefore, b)' the duty imposed on us, unworthy though we are, we are compelled to prevent this agent of Mahomet from any longer venting his rage against the servants of Christ, but rather that he may be confounded in his rage, and the glory of the Christian name be exalted, we, by these apostolic letters command you to publish these matters throughout the land of your legation, that, the faithful people of Christ may stand up bravelv for the faith in the observance of true religion, as if they were pursuing each his own interest, in accordance with the exhortation which you will employ. Given at the Laterali, this 5th of August, in the scconii year of our pontificate." How the people of Home seditiously rose against the Human pontiff. During the festival of Easter in the same year the people