I know indeed that amid the cares and occupations with which, under heaven's aid, you faithfully keep watch for the safety of the fatherland, the petition of a servile letter is importunely suggested. But since the exalted graciousness of your devotion has so little forgotten its own peculiar servant that, in the very readiness of an undertaken expedition, it doubled to my senses its longing by a holy address; who would not understand how patiently you will bear the folly which you provoke by your clemency? Wherefore I presume to be anxious in what way you are in health, God comforting you, or how the hope of the common vow smiles upon your undertakings.
But this I not only ask, but by that grace which you have received from God and bestow on me, I pray: that although we are rightly secure concerning the firmness of the appointed faith, you would yet, by a more lavish gift of your caution, take counsel for our trepidation and cowardice; and that you consider not more what the whole devout community entreats on your behalf, than what it fears in suspense. But although we are timid sinners from conscience, we yet presume with unhesitating faith that, even if this fear of ours should move you, protected by Christ, to laughter, it will at least move the divine ears to grant us the gladness of your good fortune.