THE LETTER

-gate original: "Congregas," completing the word from the catchword on the previous page them like a flock for the slaughter, and prepare them for the day of slaughter, O Lord God, Almighty King. Continuing the lament from the previous page, this refers to the biblical book of Jeremiah 12:3, calling for justice against the wicked.

Therefore, for the sake of this Christian commonwealth christiana republica: the social and political body of all Christian people, which has now almost entirely collapsed and lies wallowing in the dregs and filth of every vice, you sought to lift it up, to restore it to its original state, and to reform it. You prayed that the evil and incorrigible might be driven out—at least with an iron rod original: "virga ferrea," a reference to Psalm 2:9, symbolizing stern divine discipline—and that the righteous who are oppressed by them might be rescued. Your hope was that once the foulness of thorns and briars was cleared away, the people might be made fruitful with a worthy harvest, and that with the fear of enemies removed on all sides, they might serve the Most High God with great joy.

With all the love of your heart and with that humble devotion you possess, you went to pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is truly present in the Sacrament of the Altar the Eucharist or Holy Communion. To obtain this grace, following frequent and tearful prayers and constant fast-