_ 194 _ glory. But having raised the Cross as banner and captain in the [. . .] matter, pursue the matter faithfully and with great courage and strength, and be certain that perhaps nevertheless for a time of such grace and praise there will be nothing on earth except increase [in the Catholic faith]. As Your Holiness ordered us in a message that we should declare to you what in our opinion should be the reply to the said sultan, for which we give boundless thanks to Your Holiness, we hold it best that we should be excused this, because since there is your good fortune and the holy Sacred College of hearts where so much wisdom and prudence flourish, we think that it should give advice in this matter, even if it were more serious. As for the other matters, Holy Father, they are no more than that very prudently they will call upon God to enlighten Your Holiness’s understanding with the light of grace, so that you may reply to these things, which pertain closely to the commonwealth of Christendom, as they merit, in the usual way, and prepare for them with deeds and actions more than with words. May God increase your life and health and estate as you desire. From this our city of Lisbon on 12 July 1505 [sic].
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