The Commentary of Father Monserrate 2.5.6

2.5.6

The Fathers were delighted at the King's kindly reception and were conducted rejoicing to their quarters. For they were persuaded that these signs foretold the speedy conversion of the king to the true religion and the worship of Christ. On the next day we were most kindly entertained by the priest who had been summoned from the country near Gangaris (as has been mentioned above), and who was then in residence at Fattepurum. As it was Lent, the diet was simple, fish only. After dinner we enquired from our host what was the state of the King's mind regarding Christianity. He replied that Zelaldinus reverenced Christ and the Virgin, and was not far from paying divine honours to Christ. Moreover he not only approved, but warmly praised those portions of the Gospel story which he (Pereira) had recounted to him. He was astonished that Christians paid so much attention to chastity of life as to forbid a man to have more than one wife and to enjoin complete celibacy on their priesthood. But, as the King himself said, his judgment was dulled and clouded, as it were, when he heard that there are three persons in one God, that God had begotten a son from a virgin, had suffered on the Cross, and had been killed by the Jews. He might, however, be led to acknowledge the truth of these doctrines if they could persuade him that the Gospel had indeed come from God. He listened gladly to the story of Christ's miracles, and believed in them.