The king was so pleased
with this that he recalled the fathers with the same benevolence that
he had formerly shown, and he gave them license to erect a church and
residence at his court. Heaven assisted at the same time in behalf of
the mission by sending abundant rain, thus leaving the superstition
of the heathens confounded and mendacious, and the king despicable
for this persecution. Two fathers of the mission and a lay brother
went to a port of the same kingdom, Cochinchina, called Pullocambi,
about fifty leagues from the court, at the request of the heathen
governor there. He offered to satisfy them, and treated them so well
that a beginning was made in that port of another residencia of the
Society. It may be possible to build up a large Christian community
in that place, since it is more quiet than Cochinchina, through its
being less cursed by traffic and by people of various nationalities
coming to trade. Thus there are six of the Society residing there,
teaching those whom they have converted, and with much diligence
learning the language of the land, without which they would not be
able to accomplish much.
_Of Japan_
In treating of the affairs in Japon one would wish to begin with
the coming of Fray Luis Sotelo, who, as soon as he arrived here,
began to attempt so many things that he succeeded with none. He
said to the bishop of Zebu (who is governor of this archbishopric)
that he had secured bulls from his Holiness authorizing him to be
bishop of half of Japon, [68] but as they remained in the Council
they were worthless.
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