_ 380 _ the opinion of the Fathers, who immediately sentenced me and ordered me to go to the war, showing no respect for my obedience which I presented to them. Only God knows how disheartened I was by this, not by going to the war, but because it seemed to me that I was going contrary to obedience. I protested to God that I had not sinned in this matter, saying: “O Lord, I am troubled, come to my aid”(A). I made my will (B), I set my vows to right and was already set to embark. I received news there from Arabia Felix that the Ammonites and the Ismaelites, people living in certain cities, who were very disposed to being converted, were waiting for me(C). However obedience did not give me the opportunity. I have word from different places, both from Babylon and Basra as well as from Constantinople, that there are many janissaries on the point of fleeing to the bosom of the Church. Amongst these, one who was in al- Katif, who belonged to the Mamluks, is now ours.(D) (A) f Isaiah 28, 14. (B) However he drew up his last will, which he sent to Europe in the year. 1552 (see MI Epp. VII 615-16). (C) Concerning this matter, see the letter to Barzeu from the factor Pedro Lobato above, doc.23. (D) al-Katif, a town and former fortress in Arabia, near the islands
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