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Rh hundred years complete, amid so many adverse circumstances, and such constant efforts of its enemies: that, while kingdoms and empires rose and fell in turn, it should so have stood, as a secure beacon to direct men's course through the tempestuous sea of life, and show, by its light, the safe anchorage and harbour of salvation.

'Led by this faith and these feelings, Most Holy Father, we spoke before, when five years ago, standing around your throne, we rendered our due testimony to the sublime office you bear, and gave public expression to our prayers for you, for your civil princedom, and the cause of right and of religion. Led by this faith we then professed, both in words and writing, that nothing was nearer to us, nor dearer, than to believe and teach those things which you believe and teach; than to reject those errors which you reject; than to walk in the ways of the Lord with one mind, under your guidance; to follow you, to labour with you, and with you to contend in the Lord's cause, at every risk and with whatever result. All these things, which we then declared, we now renew and confirm with the deepest filial piety; and we desire to testify it to the whole world; gratefully remembering also, and with fullest assent, all you have done from that time .onward for the good of the faithful and the glory of the Church.

'For, as Peter said long since, "We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard." You have also held it to be a sacred and solemn duty; you are