_ 73 _ sins of all(A). I heard the proclamation that was broadcast throughout the city, though I did not understand it, but later I was told that it said just what I have written to you. Dearly Beloved Brothers, pray to Our Lord that it may be so, and prepare yourselves with ardour and learning for the great things that Our Lord wishes to accomplish. The time is indeed ripe, the axe is already at the root of the trees(B). Nor is it possible that a world grown so old in wickedness can endure. The Christians in this land usually live immorally, therefore, either your youth will be removed like that of the eagle(C) or all flesh will be destroyed(D). Wars are being planned everywhere, and when I wrote this, almost the whole of the city of Ormuz was deserted. The Portuguese remain there, expecting the arrival of the Mamluks every day(E). They have gathered their possessions inside the fortress. I have also collected my books there. (A) Cf. also Xavier has written about the Mohammedan city of Malini (in East Africa), in EX I 122-23. Where similar ideas were broadcast. (B) Cf. Mathew 3, 10. (C) Cf. Psalms 102; 5. (D) Cf. Ecclesiaticus 44, 19: “Nor will all flesh be destroyed by another floor”. (E) He is talking about the war that the Turks (Mamluks) had waged that year in the Persian Gulf against the Portuguese.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTg0NzAy