interest of his own kingdom ought to be dearer to him than that of
foreign nations; and that these new labourers would produce a larger
increase in Catholic countries, than amongst barbarians.

Yet that he might undertake nothing without mature deliberation, he
called a council, and himself proposed it to them. All of them approved
the king's opinion, excepting only the Prince Don Henry; who strongly
urged, that Xavier and Rodriguez having been nominated for the new world,
by the vicar of our Saviour, it was in a manner to disturb the order of
Providence, if he thwarted their intended voyage; that the Indies were
equally to be considered with Portugal itself, since they had been
conquered by the Portuguese, and were annexed to the imperial crown; that
those idolaters had better inclinations towards Christianity than was
generally thought; and that they would come over to the faith of their
own accord, when they should see amongst them disinterested preachers,
free from avarice and ambition.

As the opinions of kings are always prevalent, the reasons of Don Henry
were slighted; and it was concluded in council, that the two missioners
should not depart the realm. This resolution afflicted them the more
sensibly, because they both breathed after those eastern countries; their
last recourse was to write to Rome, and interpose the mediation of
Father Ignatius. He accordingly moved the Pope in their behalf; but his
Holiness refused to make an absolute decision, and remitted the whole
affair to Portugal: insomuch that Ignatius sent word to the two fathers,
that the king was to them in the place of God, and that it was their duty
to pay him a blind obedience. At the same time he also wrote to Don Pedro
Mascaregnas, that Xavier and Rodriguez were wholly at the king's command;
and that they should always remain in Portugal, in case his majesty
desired it. Notwithstanding which, he thought a temperament might be
found, which was, that Rodriguez might be retained in Portugal, and
Xavier permitted to go for India.

The king was satisfied with this proposal of Ignatius; and believed it to
be inspired by God himself. Xavier, transported with joy at the news of
it, gave thanks to the Divine Goodness, which had chosen him anew for the
mission of the Oriental parts, or rather which had executed its eternal
purpose, notwithstanding human opposition.

The time of embarkment being come, he was called one day to the palace:
the king disco