at
is proper for relieving the royal conscience in the Philipinas. Do
not consider this as presumption, for it is not, but merely telling
the truth; for if we consider the law, I studied it very well many
years ago, and as for the facts, I know them better than anyone else,
and there is no one who has so much experience as I. Your Lordship
need not tell me that it is not my place to act in this matter, for
it is, and it is more fitting for me than for any other to act in it
and determine what should be done about it. Neither do I need to pay
any attention to the fact that there are some who say the opposite,
because, beyond the fact that I know that those who say the opposite
are wrong and make your Lordship err, besides this, I say that when
the bishop determines a thing after having taken due care not to be
mistaken, it should not be suffered that others, however excellent
they may be, should dare to say the opposite, for this is to cause
dissensions between the prelate and his flock. Whoever shall be the
cause of this, it will not go well with him, because in this bishopric
there is no other doctor than I, and whatever I say must stand and
pass in my tribunal. If I am not what I should be, let them use the
remedy which our Lord Jesus Christ left in His church, as St. Luke
tells in chapter XII. This is to wait for God to remedy the matter,
and advise with anyone who, by his authority, can remedy it, and in
the meantime to commend it to God. This same remedy laymen have as
regards their governors. But in order that they should undertake to
remedy it by opposing it, the error of the bishop must be so great
that it could not be tolerated without great prejudice to the faith
or to customs. But since I have relied on the reasons which I have,
and have consulted with those who could give a good opinion about
it, and particularly as I am so certain that I am in the right, it
would be rash boldness for another to say the opposite, or to dare
to preach it. Your Lordship is very much mistaken when you think that
what I say is nothing but the opinion of any other person whatsoever;
for now that I have set about determining this and discussing it so
purposely, I know that no one who says the opposite can support it. I
say this with such liberty because I know what I am saying; and in
the defense of it I should think it but little to lose my life. When
your Lordship tells me that I interfere with what is your business, I
consider