day destined to be the people of God. As for what remains, perceiving
that presents are of great force to introduce foreigners to the princes
of Japan, he went from Sacay to Firando, where he had left what the
viceroy of the Indies and the governor of Malacca had obliged him to
carry with him to Japan, that is to say, a little striking clock, an
instrument of very harmonious music, and some other trifles, the value of
which consisted only in the workmanship and rarity.

Having also observed, that his ragged habit had shocked the Japonese, who
judge by the outside of the man, and who hardly vouchsafe to hear a man
ill clothed, he made himself a new garment, handsome enough, of those
alms which the Portuguese had bestowed on him; being verily persuaded,
that an apostolic man ought to make himself all to all, and that, to gain
over worldly men, it was sometimes necessary to conform himself a little
to their weakness.

Being come to Amanguchi, his presents made his way for an audience from
the king, and procured him a favourable reception. Oxindono, who admired
the workmanship of Europe, was not satisfied with thanking the Father in
a very obliging manner, but the same day sent him a large sum of money,
by way of gratification; but Xavier absolutely refused it, and this very
denial gave the king a more advantageous opinion of him. "How different,"
said Oxindono, "is this European Bonza from our covetous priests, who
love money with so much greediness, and who mind nothing but their
worldly interest!"

On the next morning Xavier presented to the king the letters of the
governor and of the bishop of the Indies, in which the Christian faith
was much extolled; and desired him, instead of all other favours, to
grant him the permission of preaching it, assuring him once again, that
it was the only motive of his voyage. The king increasing his admiration
at the Father's generosity, granted him, by word of mouth, and also by a
public edict, to declare the word of God. The edict was set up at the
turnings of streets, and in public places of the town. It contained a
free toleration for all persons to profess the European faith, and
forbade, on grievous penalties, any hinderance or molestation to the
new Bonzas in the exercise of their functions.

Besides this, Oxindono assigned them, for their lodgings, an old
monastery of the Bonzas, which was disinhabited. They were no sooner
established in it, than great numbers of people res