Page:A History of the Knights of Malta, or the Order of St. John of Jerusalem.djvu/743

 Appendix VI. 705 Amen. Therefore let no man whatsoever be permitted to infringe this charter, signed, confirmed, and renewed by us, or to oppose himself audaciously to it. If, however, any one shall presume to act thus, let him know that he renders himself liable to the anger of Almighty God, and of His blessed apostles Peter and PauL—Given at the Lateran, on the seventh day of the ides of April, in the sixth year of our Pontificate. APPENDIX VI. Bull of Pope Alexander IV., dated in l29, decreeing a distinctive dress for the Knights of JU8IICC. (Translated from the original Latin.) Alexander IV., Pope, to our beloved sons, the Master and brethren of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem, greeting, and apostolical benediction. Whereas, Almighty God hath built up your Order upon the foundation of obedience, as an immovable pillar in His Church, for the defence of the Holy Land, of which ye are the renowned and stalwart champions, and the chosen protectors, and for the defence of which ye have girt yourselves with the glorious armour of the cross of salvation, to fight the battles of the Lord against the blasphemers of His name; and whereas, as ye are the elect people of God, a princely race, and earnest body of righteous men, the council and congregation of the King of mighty kings, in whose hands verily are two equal swords and burning lights, to execute vengeance on the nations, and to protect the city of the Lord; we intend, therefore, to strengthen with suitable gifts, and to encourage with worthy favours, your Order, and yourselves also, who are the soldiers of Christ, in whom the Lord hath aroused, in those regions, the spirit of the brave Maccabees, and of the other warriors of old of the same class; and to concede to you such things as are known to redound to the development of your Order, and the protection of the Holy Land. Since it has come to our knowledge that, amongst the brethren of your Order, both knights and others, there is no distinction or diversity of dress, contrary to the usual custom in most other similar institutions; on which account it comes to pass, that the love of many brethren of noble birth, who, casting aside the allurements of the world, under the garb of your Order, have chosen to devote themselves to the defence of the Holy Land, grows cold; we, therefore, being earnestly desirous that your Order may still continue, by Gods help, to be enriched with fresh donations, and may grow and increase in the votive offerings which it shall receive, do hereby grant to you, by the authority of these letters, permission to decree unanimously, and hereafter to maintain inviolate, the regulation, that the knights, brethren of your Order, shall wear black mantles, that they may he distinguished from the other brethren; but in campaigns, and in battles, 46