that the king was to them in the place of God, and that it was their duty
to pay him a blind obedience. At the same time he also wrote to Don Pedro
Mascaregnas, that Xavier and Rodriguez were wholly at the king's command;
and that they should always remain in Portugal, in case his majesty
desired it. Notwithstanding which, he thought a temperament might be
found, which was, that Rodriguez might be retained in Portugal, and
Xavier permitted to go for India.

The king was satisfied with this proposal of Ignatius; and believed it to
be inspired by God himself. Xavier, transported with joy at the news of
it, gave thanks to the Divine Goodness, which had chosen him anew for the
mission of the Oriental parts, or rather which had executed its eternal
purpose, notwithstanding human opposition.

The time of embarkment being come, he was called one day to the palace:
the king discoursed fully with him concerning the present condition of
the Indies, and recommended particularly to him the affairs of religion.
He likewise gave him in charge, to visit the fortresses of the
Portuguese, and take notice how God was served in them; and withal to
give him an account of what more was requisite to be done for the
establishment of Christianity in those new conquests; and to write
frequently on that subject, not only to his ministers, but to his own
person.

After this he presented him the four briefs, which had been expedited
from Home the same year; in two of which, our Holy Father had constituted
Xavier apostolical nuncio, and endued him with ample power for the
extending and maintenance of the faith throughout the East; in the third,
his Holiness recommended him to David Emperor of Ethiopia; and in the
fourth, to all the princes who possessed the isles of the sea, or the