CHAP. I.]

ST. JOHN OE JERUSALEM.

319

So the grand master and council accepted theobedience of prior and commanders, and orderedthat the paper signed by him and them should beregistered, and placed in the archives. And thegrand master signed an analogous deed, sealed withthe leaden seal, on the 11th December, 1559. 1

A great authority to some people, and no smallone to any in that age, proclaims that perhaps theHospitallers form the only society of men that havenever declined from the principle of their founda-tion, but continue spending their property andblood in defence of Christendom. Most beautifulthen and pious, and as it were necessary above allother military orders, is that Christian bulwark,that hedge of hedges to the vineyard. 2

Here are many documents to prove their rightto the first place in danger, which only testifieshow ardently they sought for that station ofhonour. No sign they had as yet fallen off muchfrom their distinguished thirst of glory; that weak-ness (if a weakness), of the brave. Yet is theredate of this and some succeeding years. s

Solyman, still irritated against his old friends ofRhodes for their recent enterprises in Africa, de-

1 Bosio: par. ii., lib. xx. 2 Id.: par. ii., lib. xxiii. 468.

3 Id. : par. ii., lib. xxiii. 477.