giving them the hearing, you are almost certain to lose your time.  For what remains, disquiet not yourself with what they think or say of you; let them murmur on, and do you take up a resolution of standing out so firmly, that they may not find the least concernment in you; for the shew of any natural sensibility would discover that you are not enough disengaged from the world, as if you were wavering what part to take betwixt the world and Christ.  Remember, that you cannot covet popular approbation without betraying your ministry, or becoming a deserter of your sacred colours, in going back from that evangelical perfection, which you are obliged to follow, with an unrelenting ardour.”

After this, Xavier gave Barzaeus sundry particular orders, relating to the persons and houses of the Society.

And now he chose for his companions, Balthazar Gago, Edward Silva, and Peter Alcaceva, with Francis Goncalez, and Alvarez Ferreyra de Monte Major; without reckoning into the number a young secular Chinese, named Antonio, who had been brought up in the seminary of Sainte Foy.  Some of these were intended for China, and others for Japan.  Father Ignatius had written to Father Xavier, that it was of great importance to send from the Indies into Europe one of the Society, well versed in the eastern affairs, who might render an exact account of all things to the king of Portugal, and the Pope; as a means of procuring temporal supplies from the one, and spiritual favours from the other; both which were necessary for the further increase of Christianity in Asia.  Father Francis did not receive those letters till after his voyage of Japan.  He had thought of these very things formerly, but now seeing that the judgment of Ignatius concurred with his, he deputed into Italy and Portugal, Andrew Fernandez, a man of parts and probity, who was not yet in priest’s orders.  He not only gave him ample informations concerning the present condition of the Indies, but also wrote large letters on the same subject, to the king of Portugal, to Father Ignatius, and to Simon Rodriguez.  Being now ready to go for the voyage of China, he gave notice of his intentions to king John, in this ensuing letter.

“I shall depart from Goa within the compass of five days, intending first for Malacca; from whence I shall take the way of China, in the company of James Pereyra, who is named ambassador.  We carry with us the rich presents, which are bought partly at the cost of your majesty, and partly at the proper charges of Pereyra:  but we carry also a far more precious present, and such an one as no king, at least to my knowledge, has made the like to another prince, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ; and if the emperor of China once knew its value, I am confident he would prefer that treasure before all his own, how immense soever they may be.  I hope, that at length Almighty God will look with eyes of pity on that vast empire, and that he will make known to those great multitudes, who are all made after his own image, their Creator, and the Saviour of mankind, Christ Jesus.