the most virtuous prelates which the church
has ever had.

The father having informed him of the reasons for which his Holiness and
the king of Portugal had sent him to the Indies, presented to him the
briefs of Pope Paul III., at the same time declaring to him, that he
pretended not to use them without his approbation and good-liking: after
this, he cast himself at his feet, and desired his blessing.

The prelate, edified with the modesty of the father, and struck with that
venerable air of sanctity which appeared in his countenance, took him up
immediately, and embraced him with great tenderness. Having often kissed
the briefs, he restored them to the father, with these words: "An
apostolical legate, sent from the vicar of Jesus Christ, has no need of
receiving his mission from any other hand; use freely that power, which
the holy seat has conferred upon you; and rest assured, that if the
Episcopal authority be needful to maintain, it shall never be wanting to
you."

From that moment they contracted a most sacred friendship, whose union
was so strict, that ever after they seemed to have but one heart and one
soul: insomuch that Father Xavier undertook not any thing without
consulting the bishop first; and the bishop, on his side, imparted all
his designs to Father Xavier: and it is almost incredible, how much this
holy correspondence contributed to the salvation of souls, and exaltation
of the faith.

Before we pass farther, it is of consequence to know the estate of
religion at that time in the Indies. It is true, that, according to the
prophecy of St. Thomas, they who discovered the East Indies, had new
planted Christianity in some parts of them, where all was in a manner
quite forgotten. But ambition and avarice, in short time after, cooled
the zeal of these new conquerors; instead of extending the kingdom of
Jesus Christ, and of gaining souls to him, they thought of nothing more
than of enlarging their dominion, and enriching themselves. It happened
also, that many Indians newly converted to the faith, being neither
cultivated by wholesome instructions, nor edified by good examples,
forgot insensibly their baptism, and returned to their ancient
superstitions.

And if any amongst them kept constant to his Christianity, and declared
himself a believer, the Mahometans, who were uppermost in many places
along the coast, and very wealthy, persecuted him with great cruelty,
without any opposition on the part of th