The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16Dryden, John
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The works of John Dryden, now first collected in eighteen volumes. Volume 16
Dryden, John
English literature
"Live so well with the Portuguese commandants, that no misunderstanding
be ever perceived betwixt you and them. For the rest of the Portuguese,
use all sort of means to make them your friends: Have never any quarrel
with any of them, though they should bring you into law, or quarrel with
you without the least provocation on your part. If they use the new
Christians hardly, oppose them, but with much mildness; and, if you find
your opposition may be likely to succeed, make your complaint to the
Portuguese commandant, with whom I once again beseech you never to have
any difference.
"Let your conversation with the Portuguese be always confined to
spiritual subjects; of death, of judgment, of purgatory, of hell, of the
frequentation of sacraments, and the exact observation of God's
commandments; for, if you never speak to them but concerning these
matters, they will never rob you of those hours which are set apart for
your function.
"Fail not to write to Goa, to the fathers and brothers of our society,
giving them an account of the fruit of your labours, and proposing to
them what you think may be to the advancement of piety. You shall write
also to the bishop, but with much reverence and submission, as to the
common father, and pastor-general of this new world.
"What, above all things, I recommend to you, and which I can never
sufficiently repeat, is, that whatsoever voyage you make, and wheresoever
you shall be, you shall endeavour to gain the love of all people, by your
good offices and fair demeanour, by which means you will have greater
opportunities for the gaining of souls, which God Almighty grant you all
the grace to do, and abide for ever with you."
Things being thus regulated on the coast of Fishery, the Father would
pass into the isle of Ceylon before his return to Goa. His design was to
gather the fruit of that precious blood which two years before was shed
by the king of Jafanatapan; or, at least, to see what inclination those
people had to receive the gospel, who had heheld the constancy of the
martyrs. Indeed, the death of the two young princes converted, who
pretended to the crown of Jafanatapan, destroyed almost all hopes of
planting Christianity in that isle. Notwithstanding which, Xavier
converted the king of Cande, who is one of the kings of Ceylon. After
which he went to the tyrant, who had treated the Christians with so much
cruelty, to try if he could work him, though against all human
appearances, to suffer the law of Jesus Christ to be preached in his
dominions, and to bring him also to be a Christian.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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