with wronging any
man; and behold the reason! Custom is to them in the place of law; and
that which they see done before them every day, they persuade themselves
may be practised without sin. As if custom can authorize, by I know not
what kind of prescription, that which is vicious and criminal in its own
nature. You shall admit of no such right, but shall declare to such
people, that if they will secure their conscience, they must restore what
they possess unjustly.

"Remember especially, to obey the vicar of the bishop. When you are
arrived at Ormuz, you shall go to wait on him, and, falling on your knees
before him, you shall humbly kiss his hand. You shall neither preach, nor
exercise any other employment of our institute, without his permission;
above all things, have no difference with him for any whatsoever cause;
on the contrary, endeavour, by all submissions, and all possible
services, to gain his friendship, in such sort, that he may be willing to
be taught by you, to make the meditations of our spiritual exercises, at
least those of the first week. Use almost the same method with all the
other priests; if you cannot persuade them to retire for a month,
according to our custom, engage them to a retreat of some few days, and
fail not to visit them every day, during that recess, to explicate to
them the subjects of those meditations.

"Pay a great respect to the person of the governor, and make it apparent,
by the most profound submissions, how much you honour him. Beware of any
difference with him, on whatsoever occasion, even though you should
observe, that he performs not his duty in matters of importance; but
after you perceive, that your demeanour has instated you in his favour
and good graces, go boldly to visit him; and after you have testified the
concernment you have for his safety and his honour, by a principle of
good will to him, then declare, with all modesty and softness of
expression, the sorrow you have to see his soul and reputation
endangered, by what is reported of him in the world.

"Then you shall make known to him the discourse of the people; you shall
desire him to reflect on the bad consequences of such reports; that they
may possibly be put in writing, and go farther than he would willingly
they should, if he bethinks him not in time of giving satisfaction to the
public. Nevertheless, take not this upon you before you are in some sort
satisfied of his good disposition, and that it app