James Pereyra, who is named ambassador. We carry with us the rich
presents, which are bought partly at the cost of your majesty, and partly
at the proper charges of Pereyra: but we carry also a far more precious
present, and such an one as no king, at least to my knowledge, has made
the like to another prince, namely, the gospel of Jesus Christ; and if
the emperor of China once knew its value, I am confident he would prefer
that treasure before all his own, how immense soever they may be. I hope,
that at length Almighty God will look with eyes of pity on that vast
empire, and that he will make known to those great multitudes, who are
all made after his own image, their Creator, and the Saviour of mankind,
Christ Jesus.

"We are three in company, who go to China with Pereyra; and our design
is, to free from prison those Portuguese who are there languishing in
chains; to manage the friendship of the Chinese in favour of the crown of
Portugal; and, above all things, to make war with the devils, and their
adherents: on which occasion, we shall declare to the emperor, and, in
sequel, to all his subjects, from the King of Heaven, the great injury
which they have done him, to give the devils that adoration which is only
payable to the true God, creator of mankind, and to Jesus Christ, their
judge and master. The undertaking may seem bold, to come amongst
barbarians, and dare to appear before a mighty monarch, to declare the
truth to him, and reprehend his vices: but that which gives us courage
is, that God himself has inspired us with these thoughts; that he has
filled us with the assurance of his mercy; and that we doubt not of his
power, which infinitely surpasses that of the emperor of China. Thus our
whole success being in the hands of God, what cause of distrust or fear
is it possible for us to have? for certain it is, that our only
apprehension ought to be of offending him, and of incurring those
punishments which are ordained for wicked men. But my hopes are
incomparably greater when I consider, that God has made choice of such
weak instruments, and such sinners, as we are, for so high an employment,
as to carry the light of the gospel almost, I may say, into another
world, to a nation blinded with idolatry, and given up to vice."

While they were fitting out the ship, which was to carry the missioners
of China and Japan, Xavier assembled the fathers of the college by night,
not being able to do it by day, because they