: I entreat
you, therefore, by our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, to consider
seriously, how you may overcome those temptations, which give you a
distaste of your employment; and to meditate, more on that, than how to
engage yourself in such laborious affairs, as are not commanded you. Let
no man flatter himself; it is impossible to excel in great matters,
before we arrive to excel in less: and it is a gross error, under the
pretence of saving souls, to shake off the yoke of obedience, which is
light and easy, and to take up a cross, which, without comparison, is
more hard and heavy.

"It becomes you to submit your will and judgement to your governors; and
to believe that God, will inspire them, in reference to you, with that,
which will be most profitable to you. For the rest, beware of asking any
thing with importunity, as some have done, who press their superiors
with such earnestness, that they even tear from them that which they
desire, though the thing which they demand be in itself pernicious; or if
it be refused them, complain in public, that their life is odious to
them: they perceive not, that their unhappiness proceeds from their
neglect of their vow, and their endeavour to appropriate that will to
themselves, which they have already consecrated to our Lord. In effect,
the more such people live according to their own capricious fancy, the
more uneasy and melancholy is their life."

The holy man was so thoroughly persuaded, that the perfection of the
Society of Jesus consisted in obedience, that he frequently commanded his
brethren, in virtue of their holy obedience, thereby to increase their
merit.

"I pray you," said he to two missioners of Comorine, "to go to the Isles
del Moro; and to the end you may the better have occasion of meriting by
your obedience, I positively command you."

But it is impossible to relate, with what tenderness he loved the
Society, or how much he concerned himself in all their interests, though
of the smallest moment. Being in Portugal, before his voyage to the
Indies, he wrote not any letters to Rome, wherein he did not testisfy his
great desire to know what progress it made in Italy. Writing to the
Fathers, Le Gay, and Laynez, he says thus: "Since our rule is confirmed,
I earnestly desire to learn the names of those who are already received
into our order, and of such as are upon the point of being admitted. He
exhorts them, to thank the king of Portugal, for the design which