ir own private interests, fearing that
their commerce with the Chinese would cease if the Castilians gained
an entrance there. We who live here have attributed this slander to
that cause--or, more properly speaking, it has been the cunning of
the devil, who has tried in this way to hinder the results which we
hope to obtain by introducing the gospel into that great kingdom,
in such manner as Jesus Christ, our Lord, commanded his disciples
and apostles to preach it throughout the whole world, not trusting in
their own strength, or in human wisdom or power, but only in the power
of God. For He, when it pleases Him, smoothes out all difficulties
which may arise; and if at times He allows his ministers to suffer,
it is for their best good, in order that the perfection and power of
God may shine forth with more brilliancy. Therefore, I say that if
once I thought it possible to make war on China because of the false
report given me of the hindrance and obstacles offered by the rulers
of that kingdom to the preaching of the gospel, by not allowing those
who could preach it to enter the land, now that I know the truth,
I declare that one of the worst offenses which could be committed
against God, and the greatest possible obstacle and opposition to the
spread of the gospel, would be to go to China with the mailed hand,
or to use any sort of violence. For we have had at no time, nor do
we have, any cause, right, or reason to enter that kingdom by force
of arms; for it is evident that we have not told them, nor do they
know, our intention. On the contrary they take us for people whose
only aim is to usurp foreign kingdoms; and, since they think thus,
it is well for them to guard against us. In order to correct the
wrong opinion which they entertain of us, we should not go there
with large fleets and armies equipped, because the only result would
be to vex and offend the greatest and best kingdom in the world;
but if we go there in the way that God commands and desires, and at
the time appointed by His Divine Majesty (for we men cannot know),
we shall make one of the largest conversions ever seen since the time
of the primitive church. This is what the devil tries to hinder by
spreading abroad the notion that the only way by which China can
be entered is by force of arms. The truth is, that until now no
people has been discovered so ready to receive the gospel as this,
or of whom can be entertained such hope of great results by goi