in the way of salvation,
and whom he is bound to reprove, when they go astray from it; one may
truly say of those presents, that he who takes, is taken. And it is for
this, that when we are to make a charitable reprehension, to such of whom
we receive alms, we know not well how to begin it, or in what words to
dress it. Or if our zeal emboldens us to speak freely, our words have
less effect upon them, because they treat us with an assuming air of
loftiness, as if that which we received from them had made them our
masters, and put them in possession of despising us. What I say, relates
chiefly to a sort of persons, who are plunged in vice, who would
willingly be credited with your friendship, and will endeavour by all
good offices to make way to your good will. Their design is not to profit
by your conversation, for the amendment of their lives; all they pretend
to, is to stop your mouth, and to escape a censure, which they know they
have deserved. Be upon your guard against such people: yet I am not of
opinion, that you should wholly reject them, or altogether despise their
courtesy. If they should invite you to their table, refuse it not; and
yet less refuse their presents of small value, such as are usually made
in the Indies by the Portuguese to each other, and which one cannot
refuse without giving an affront; as, for example, fruits and drinks. At
the same time, declare to them, that you only receive those little gifts,
in hope they will also receive your good advice; and that you go to eat
with them, only that you may dispose them, by a good confession, to
approach the holy table. For such presents as I have named, such I mean
as are not to be refused, when you have received them, send them to the
sick, to the prisoners, or to the poor. The people will be edified with
this procedure, and no occasion left of suspecting you, either of
niceness or covetousness.

"For what relates to your abode, you will see at your arrival; and having
prudently considered the state of things, you may judge where it will be
most convenient for you to dwell, either in the hospital, or the house of
mercy, or any little lodging, in the neighbourhood. If I think fit to
call you to Japan, you shall immediately give notice of it, by writing to
the rector of this college by two or three different conveyances, to the
end, he may supply your place with one of our fathers, a man capable of
assisting and comforting the city of Ormuz. In fine, I