To the most reverend father in Christ and lord, lord Niccolo Fieschi, cardinal presbyter of the holy Roman church of the title of Santa Prisca, Brother Tommaso de Vio of Gaeta, professor of sacred theology and master general of the whole Order of Preachers, servant of his lordship.

Even though I think, most eminent father Fieschi, that this comparison of the authority of the supreme pontiff and the whole Church, which I wrote recently, will be read, received, judged by many from dissimilar viewpoints which will differ as they are split into diverse factions in this stormy time, nevertheless, I think that they will be pleased to be informed of even the least reasons which are advanced in this affair, so extraordinary yet suitable to these times, for adversaries and rivals to assail, for friends to defend those things which belong to the truth, and for others to have at hand to read what resolution should be reached concerning such a great upheaval in our own day and such a great controversy, both frequently in the past and at the present time.

I, master general of the Order of Preachers, most zealous for the Roman church and the truth, wrote this comparison of the supreme authority in defense of the truth and the apostolic see gladly, not so that I might please men – although I would not spurn attaining that too – but to be a servant of Jesus Christ and the truth.