516 κοπεί; O F WF.NoovF.n. [Λ.H . lûOy. at this present crisis, hut fur each and all of them to endeavour to prepare their minds ley fruitful repentance, hy pure and humble confession, and hy proper atonement, that when the Bridegroom cometh they may not meet him with empty lamps, like the foolish virgins who had no oil. and. which God forhid, find the door shut against them ; hut rather, like the wise virgins, with their lamps trimmed, and may he allowed to enter with the Bridegroom to the marriage-feast.'' λ\Ί confidently believe that within the seven years following we shall see some things happen to which, either in reality or by analogy, we may find some adaptation to these letters of the astronomers. But of this hereafter. //otc po/e Gregory mmie war against the /toman emperor Frederic. About this time, pope Gregory, being annoyed because the lloman emperor Frederic had gone to the Holy band an excommunicated and rebellious man, entirely despaired of bis ever repenting, and make satisfaction so as to return to the unity of the church ; he therefore determined, as he saw that he was rebellions and contumacious, to drive him from his imperial dignity, and to appoint some other son of peace and obedience in his stead. But since our information on this matter could only have reached us by means of others, we will here give a letter from a certain count Thomas, whom the emperor at bis departure had appointed, in conjunction with some others, to be guardian and agent of the empire, which letter that noble sent to the emperor, concerning this affair, and which we obtained from a pilgrim: "T o the high and mighty Frederic, by the grace of God, the august emperor of the liomans. and the most potent king of Sicily, Thomas count of Attere, his faithful and devoted subject in all respects, health, and victory over his enemies. After your majesty's departure, Gregory the Roman pontiff, the open enemy of your excellency, assembled a large army by the agency of John de Brieune, ex-king of Jerusalem, and some other bold men, whom he appointed chiefs of his expedition, and invaded your territories and those of your subjects, and in disregard of the Christian law, resolved to subdue you by the 6\vord of steel, sine be could not, as he says, humble you by the spiritual one ; for the aforesaid John is collecting a large body of Boldiers from the kingdom of France and other adjacent countries, being in hopes of obtaining the empire, if he can compier you, and supplies his soldiers with pay from the treasury of the apostolic see. This said John then, and the other chiefs of the army of the apostolic see, have invaded your territory and that nf your subjects, and are setting lire to the buildings and towns, seizing the cattle and other booty, making prisoners of the inhabitants, and after torturing them in various ways, compel them to pay a heavy ransom ; they spare neither age nor sex, and show no mercy to any one outside of the churches or cemeteries ; they arc taking towns and castles, and give no heed to the fact of your