308 TRAVELS TO DISCOVER 



The king, who did not believe that the Abuna's elo- 

 quence or learning would make any great alteration, order- 

 ed the difputations to be held a-new in the Abuna's pre- 

 fence. That prieft's ignorance made the matter worfe ; and 

 the king, holding this point as now fettled, made his firft 

 public declaration, that there were two natures in Chrift, 

 perfect God and perfect man, really diflinct between them- 

 felves, but united in one divine perfon, which is the Chrift., 



At this time, letters came by way of India, both from 

 the king of Spain, Philip II. dated in Madrid the 15th of 

 March 1609, anc ^ fr° m tne P°P e Paul V. of the 4th of Janu- 

 ary 161 1. Thefe letters contain nothing but general decla- 

 matory exhortations to Socinios to perfevere in the Chriflian 

 faith, alluring him of the afliftance of the Holy Spirit, inftead 

 of thofe Portuguefe regiments which he had folicited. How- 

 ever, the affair of the converfion being altogether fettled be- 

 tween the king and Paez, it was thought proper to make the 

 renunciation firft, and then depend upon the king of Spain 

 and the pope for fending the foldiers, if. their prayers were, 

 not effectual. 



It was necefTary that Socinios mould write to the pope,, 

 notifying his fubmiflion to the fee of Rome. But letters on 

 fuch a fubject were thought of too great confequence to 

 be fent, as former difpatches to Europe had been, without 

 being accompanied by proper perfons, who, upon occafion, 

 might affume the character of ambaffadors, and give any af- 

 furance or explanation needful. 



It was at the fame time confidered, that the way by Ma- 

 £uah was fo liable to accidents, the intermediate province of 



* Tigre 



