he holy gospel, although it should be at the
risk and peril of their lives. They made known this desire several
times to the governor then in those islands for his Majesty, namely,
Doctor Francisco de Sande, entreating his favor and permission to go
to the said China, with certain Chinese merchants then at that port
with their vessels; and offered, of their own accord, to gain the
consent of the latter, even at the price of becoming their slaves,
or in any other manner possible. But as often as they discussed
the matter with the governor, it was evident that he looked upon
the idea coldly, and put them off with hopes. Mindful of the fact
that their chief purpose in coming from Espana had been, to attempt
to effect an entrance into that kingdom to preach the gospel, and
having their desires heightened by their intercourse with the Chinese
themselves, since they were a nation of ability and discretion,
and of excellent understanding--which quickened their desire, and
persuaded them that it would be easy to make them understand the
things pertaining to God--they determined to employ other methods,
since that which they were trying to attain with the good will of
the governor was so uncertain. It happened that, after several days,
when they had discussed the matter, and had petitioned God with great
urgency to guide and direct it as should be most to His service, and
for the gain of those souls, a Chinese came to the Filipinas, who was,
as they heard, one of the priests and religious of that kingdom, of
whom a great number exist in all the towns of China. This man went to
the monastery of the said fathers several times, and discussed with
them the creation of the world, and other things which opened the
way for the latter to declare to him matters pertaining to God, which
he was much pleased to hear. After having told them in great detail
of the magnificence and secret things of the great kingdom of China,
for whose conversion the fathers had so great a desire; and after he
had asked many careful and keen questions about the Christian faith,
he begged them urgently, at the end of several days, to baptize him,
as he wished to become a Christian. Inasmuch as he had instruction
in the tenets of our Catholic faith, they granted his pious desire,
to the incredible joy of all the inhabitants of the city, and to his
own joy also. After becoming a Christian, he became an inmate of the
monastery, and would never eat anything but unco