which is situated at Jerusalem, and to his successors, and to all Or» η the regularly professed brethren. " Every good gift and every perfect reward * coineth from above, descending from the Father of light, with whom there is no change nor shadow of variety. Tiierefore, 0 beloved children in the Lord, we praise the Almighty God, in respect of your holy fraternity, since your religion and venerated institution arc celebrated throughout the entire world. For although by nature yc are children of wrath, and slaves to the pleasures of this life, yet by a favouring grace ye have not remained deaf bearers of the gospel, but, throwing aside all earthly pomps and enjoyments, and rejecting the broad road which leadeth unto death, ye have humbly chosen the arduous path to everlasting life. Faithfully fulfilling the character of soldiery of the Lord, ye constantly carry upon your breasts the sign of the life-giving cross. Moreover, like true Israelites, and most instructed fighters of the divine battle, inflamed with true charity, ye fulfil by your works the word of the gospel which saith, ' Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends;' so that, in obedienceto the voice of the great Shepherd, ye in nowise fear to lay down your lives for your brethren, and to defend them from the inroad of the pagans ; and ye may well be termed holy warriors, since ye have been appointed by the Lord defenders of the catholic church and combatants of the enemies of Christ." After this preamble, the pope earnestly exhorts the Templars to pursue with unceasing diligence their high vocation ; to defend the eastern church with their whole hearts and souls, and to strike dowu the enemies of the cross of Christ. " By the authority of God, and the blessed Peter prince of apostles," says the holy pontiff, " we have ordained and do determine, that the Temple in * Onme datum optimum et (imnc donum pcrfectuni dceursum est. lieaccnilcns ."i FiUre Itiminum, apuil qucm υοη est tnuiBinutitfio, nee vicissitudinis obumbratio.