“In presence of a Portuguese, abstain from reproving and condemning the natives of the country who are Christians; on the contrary, commend and excuse them on all occasions; for, considering how lately they have embraced the faith, and what assistance is wanting to them to live like good Christians, it is only to be admired that they are not more vicious.

“Be serviceable in all you can to the Malabar priests, in what relates to their spiritual advantage; take care that they confess themselves, and say mass, and give good examples, and write nothing against them to any person whatsoever.

“Live so well with the Portuguese commandants, that no misunderstanding be ever perceived betwixt you and them.  For the rest of the Portuguese, use all sort of means to make them your friends:  Have never any quarrel with any of them, though they should bring you into law, or quarrel with you without the least provocation on your part.  If they use the new Christians hardly, oppose them, but with much mildness; and, if you find your opposition may be likely to succeed, make your complaint to the Portuguese commandant, with whom I once again beseech you never to have any difference.

“Let your conversation with the Portuguese be always confined to spiritual subjects; of death, of judgment, of purgatory, of hell, of the frequentation of sacraments, and the exact observation of God’s commandments; for, if you never speak to them but concerning these matters, they will never rob you of those hours which are set apart for your function.

“Fail not to write to Goa, to the fathers and brothers of our society, giving them an account of the fruit of your labours, and proposing to them what you think may be to the advancement of piety.  You shall write also to the bishop, but with much reverence and submission, as to the common father, and pastor-general of this new world.

“What, above all things, I recommend to you, and which I can never sufficiently repeat, is, that whatsoever voyage you make, and wheresoever you shall be, you shall endeavour to gain the love of all people, by your good offices and fair demeanour, by which means you will have greater opportunities for the gaining of souls, which God Almighty grant you all the grace to do, and abide for ever with you.”

Things being thus regulated on the coast of Fishery, the Father would pass into the isle of Ceylon before his return to Goa.  His design was to gather the fruit of that precious blood which two years before was shed by the king of Jafanatapan; or, at least, to see what inclination those people had to receive the gospel, who had heheld the constancy of the martyrs.  Indeed, the death of the two young princes converted, who pretended to the crown of Jafanatapan, destroyed almost all hopes of planting Christianity in that isle.  Notwithstanding which, Xavier converted the king of Cande, who is one of the kings of Ceylon.  After which he went to the tyrant, who had treated the Christians with so much cruelty, to try if he could work him, though against all human appearances, to suffer the law of Jesus Christ to be preached in his dominions, and to bring him also to be a Christian.