arrote, [17] and thrown into
the sea. The other twelve reflected, and, in great anguish for their
sins, were converted to our Lord. They professed our holy Catholic
faith and rendered obedience to the holy Roman church. This was done
with such sincerity that they entreated the religious orders of that
city to give them the most blessed sacrament at the altar, which
they devoutly received; as for the five who fell to the care of our
Society, and whom we saw die, I may affirm that they left us notably
edified. With the utmost grief for their sins, they made a general
confession and received communion with many tears. Before receiving
the latter sacrament, they made public declaration of their belief
in the holy Roman Catholic faith, maintaining that they died within
the church, and abominating the heresies of Calvin, Luther, Zwingli,
and other heretics. Two days from that time, having asked pardon of
all, they died with rosaries about their necks, and with the bulls
of the holy crusade (by means of which they obtained absolution)
sewed upon their breasts, each one holding his crucifix in his hands,
devoutly adoring it. They embraced us all, and in great joy at seeing
that, by such a death, they were expiating their sins, they suffered
death, to the great edification of all. On the following morning
they were buried with great solemnity by the Confraternity of La
Santa Misericordia, which was founded by the most prominent people
of the city. But enough for the present concerning the Spaniards;
it will be desirable to make some mention of the Indians.

Other edifying matters, among the Indians of Manila. Chapter
LXVI. [i.e., LXVII]

That part of our employment and occupation which lies among the
Indians is no less important, since they retort to that city in numbers
exceeding those of the Spaniards, and their love and affection for us
is more recent. Usually they are a people inclined to make confession;
and this would give, throughout the year, work for six fathers who know
the language. The Indians seek communion most eagerly, and thereby
are their souls much profited, and they are aided in cultivating the
virtues, especially that of chastity. All that concerns devotion and
the ceremonies of the church makes a marvelous impression upon them,
and they set an example to Christians of long standing. They practice
the discipline every Friday in the year; and many more would come
to these exercises, if the gates of the