Gustavus entered Nuremberg March 21st, 1632, supported by his staff and a company of cavalry. He left his army at Fürth, a short distance from the city. His generals and the Protestant princes whose country he had delivered rode with him through the streets of that ancient city. The magistrates offered him the keys of the city, and the people made a great demonstration of rejoicing. The ringing of the bells, the firing of many cannon and the welcoming shouts of the grateful people stirred the heart of Gustavus Adolphus so that he showed great emotion. His fine appearance, his pleasing personality, his cordial manners completely won the hearts of the people of Nuremberg. At his hotel he received the presents sent by the town. These consisted of money and two cannon with ammunition for his army, also two silver globes of the famous Nuremberg workmanship. The king addressed the waiting people. His words were put into a circular and sent throughout the country. He said: "I thank you and the city for these valuable presents. In return I can wish you nothing better than perseverance in the evangelical faith. May nothing turn you from it, neither threats nor promises nor any passion to which human nature is liable. You have given me the emblems of heaven and earth. May the riches of earth not make you forgetful of the still more precious treasures of heaven. I ask for you this grace of God. We have cunning, wicked and powerful enemies. All their thoughts are bent on the destruction of Protestantism. Apparently they seek peace, but peace would indeed prove fatal to you, to all Protestants, and ruinous to many millions of souls. "God has entrusted you with the administration of a rich and powerful city. I do not doubt of your governing it so that you need not fear the account which will one day be required of you before God's tribunal. Your city, encompassed with dangers and persecutions, has as yet been miraculously preserved. I have myself been not less miraculously preserved since arriving in these countries. I had expected to see the end of the world rather than your city. In the misfortunes which have befallen your brethren, and in your own sufferings, God intended to make you feel and acknowledge what great sinners we all are. "It is for your sake, for the defence of the gospel, that I have left my peaceful native land and have come to these disturbed countries. It is for this cause I have sacrificed the resources of my poor subjects, their blood, exposed my life and renounced domestic happiness. I shall do all that the grace of God will give me strength to do. On your side, learn to suffer for a short time if it is necessary for our holy cause. Remain faithful to it. God will bless you. He will increase your city and make it prosperous, and your renown will spread everywhere. Let us together praise, magnify and glorify God here on earth, and in heaven forever."