vertue but also with Christian humility he was now commonly called the Holy Father Thus hidden Vertue becometh more glorious CHAP. VIII He substituteth Deputies in his place to teach the Christian doctrine and procureth for them a certaine stipend of the King of Portugall THIS approued fidelity and industry of the neophytes in curing diseases made Xauerius desirous to make theÌ„ his fellow-labourers in instructing the people Wherfore making choice of such as were no lesse diligent then vertuous he sent them abroad bidding them teach the Cathechisme to the rude and ignorant in houses wayes and streetes in manner as he had instructed theÌ„ When he saw this course which he had inuented was able to go on by it selfe he with the children went to another Village intending in the same manner to instruct the rest of the townes All which when he had once gone ouer neuer thinking of rest but as it were dallying with his labours he againe returned to the first village there to amend what he should find amisse and in the same manner went ouer all the rest which before he had visited In the meane time also thinking it necessary to establish the Christian faith nor only for the present but also for the time to come he left in euery towne village a Copy of the Christian doctrine willing those that could write to copy it out and the rest to learne it by hart and to repeate it ouer euery day He ordayned also in all the forsaid villages that vpon all holydayes the Neophytes should assemble themselues into one place and there all togeather sing the Christian doctrine And that these things might be well and duely obserued thinking it expedient to leaue some in his place he appointed in euery Towne and Village one to haue a care of matters concerning Christian religion whome in their language they called the Canacaple And that this order which was so necessary might neuer cease or decay he procured of the Viceroy of India an yearly stipend for the Canacaples The reason of this was that in tyme of necessity there might alwayes be some to baptize the infants newly borne when they should be in any danger of death and to supply in other things that which could not be well differred and withall to assist the Neophytes when Francis was farre of and could not so speedily come vnto them So as in euery place he appointed one or two who excelled the rest in the vnderstanding of the Christian doctrine graue carriage feruour of piety and integrity of life teaching them the manner and forme of baptisme and giuing them in charge that if at any tyme necessity should require they should with all speed baptize litle infants and if any matter of importance besids chanced to happen they should presently certify him thereof These euery one in his Village for want of Priests being as it were the Curats or Pastours had the care of the Church and twice euery day they taught the Catechisme both in Latin and in their owne country language in the morning to the men and in the afternoone to the women They also as the Christian custome is denounced the Banes of Matrimony making enquiry what impediments there might be to hinder any from lawfull marriage but their principall charge was to baptize litle infants who through weakenes might be in danger of death And when Xauerius made his visit in the sayd Villages these his substitutes presently deliuered vp vnto him the number of childreÌ„ which were borne that yeare of those who kept concubines in their houses and of such as had any emnity or discord amongst themselues that therby he might with all speed apply remedy therto And by this meanes he knew composed all difficulties euery where so that making very litle stay any where he might passe on to other places To these Canacaples at Xauerius request were assigned 400 crownes yearely out of the publicke Treasury by the viceroy of India and afterward confirmed by the King of Portugal This said mony was accustomed to be payd to Queene Catherin of Portugal to buy her shoes and Pantofles Wherfore Francis wrote vnto her maiesty very pleasantly and piously that she could haue no fitter shoes or Pantofles to climbe to heauen then the Christian children of the Piscarian coast and their instructions Wherefore he humbly intreated her to bestow her shoes and Pantofles as a Tribute vnto their teachers and instructors therby to make her selfe a ladder to heauen for she might be glad of such an occasion then the which she could not perhaps haue wished a better The Queene as a woman of notable piety approued of his request and very willingly and freely assigned the same to the Canacaples and maisters of the Neophytes And thus by Xauerius meanes by the Queenes liberality the Kings authority this order was instituted and established with no lesse merit of the benefactors then profit to the Christian cause CHAP. IX He conuinceth the Brachmans and conuerteth some of them IN this meane while Francis had no small ado with the Brachmans These Brachmans descending froÌ„ the race of Kings Priests â—re amongst all the nations of India the chiefe both â—or Nobility and Wisedome They worship one God whome they call Parabram the begining of al things and perfect in euery respect as being Creatour of heaueÌ„ earth But togeather with this truth they mingle in numerable fables to deceiue the common people They say he hath three sonnes who gouern the world and yet haue all the same nature and diuinity This forsooth is signified by the girdle the Brachmans theÌ„selues weare at the end wherof there be three little cords hanging from one knot hauing in this manner either through the malice of men or craft of the Diuel corrupted the mistery of the B. Trinity which was ancieÌ„tly receiued among them They haue also goodly Temples dedicated to these Gods with three Towres which being separated at the basis by little little do ioyne altogeather in the toppe They haue their images drawen out in diuers shapes which in times past they tooke vpon them which they call Pagods These Brachmans whome among the Indians are indeed famous for their learning and abstinence are in the Promontory of Comorinum most notorious for their ignorance and lewdnes For not enduring the pouerty which that part of India sustayneth they couer their naturall lewdnes with abhominable deceipt and whilst themselues in priuate sit at their banquets with solemne musick of tabers and pipes they perswade the simple people that their Gods are a feasting and withall demaund of them in their Gods name whatsoeuer they want for the maintenance of themselues and their families denouncing the vengeance of the Gods against them vnlesse they presently performe what they be commanded Xauerius therfore conuincing them openly of deceipt began to accuse them to the people and to manifest their false dealing which occasion caused the saluation
not able to take sure footing by reason of the slyppinesse of the yce and roughnesse of the way he receaued many a sore and painefull fall All which intollerable difficulties he not only ouercame with great quiet of mynd but had with withall his cogitations so firmely fixed vpon God that euen at that very tyme he became wholy abstracted from his senses For such was the force of his heauenly contemplation and so greatly was he ouercome with the sweetnes thereof that scarsely knowing what he did he many tymes ran among the brambles and bushes and strooke his feete agaynst the stones euen till the bloud came out without any feeling or payne at all Now at night he was commonly in as bad a plight as in the day For oftentymes being all wet and euen wholy spent with cold and hungar he came at night to his Inne where there was no humane comfort to be had nor any ease for these his miseries Wherof this may be a sufficient proofe that during all that iorney he eate nothing but only ryce which himselfe also begged as he trauailed with no lesse want of food then payne of body Moreouer the insolency of the Country people to these his miseries which he suffred in the way added sauce of the same nature For the Iaponians being of a proud and haughty spirit seing him a stranger contemptible vnexpert in their complements and behauiour one that contemned himselfe vsed him euen like a poore foole or sotte so as in townes and villages where he was to passe in boates as also vpon the way and in the Innes he was the subiect for euery one to play vpon But all this he bare not only patiently but cheerfully also reioycing with the Apostle to be for Christ his sake reputed a foole the outcast of all And hauing thus spent two whole months vpon the way after innumerable miseries passed both by water and land at last through the goodnes of God he arriued safe and sound at Meaco Meaco is the royall Citty and the greatest and most famous of all Iaponia This Citty when it flourished if we will belieue what is reported therof conteined well neere two hundred thousand families but hauing bin oftentimes destroyed by warres pillage fire it is now little more then halfe so great The Circuit indeed of the walls and the vastnes of the Citty do yet well shew to haue byn no lesse in forme times â—â—hen that which hath byn sayd therof but now when â—auâ—rius came thither it had only about one hundred â—â—ousand houses There is in this Citty a very famous Academy fiue principall Colledges of Schollers and â—nnumerable Conuents of men and women so as â—â—here seemed to be offered to Xauerius abundant matâ—â—r to worke vpon But so secret are the iudgments â—f God that his hope wholy vanished away came 〈◊〉 nothing As soone therefore as he came to Meaco he expeâ—â—ed some dayes at the Court wayting for opporâ—â—nity to come vnto the Kings presence and to aske â—â—is licence to preach the Ghospell in his kingdome â—ut in vayne For his ignorance of the Iaponian custoâ—es and behauiour his vulgar and worne-out apâ—arell and his Christian simplicity caused him to be â—erided and wholy reiected by the Kings Guard Finâ—ing therfore all passages vnto the King to be stopped â—n such sort that he could not by any meanes get â—ccesse vnto him and vnderstanding that certayne Noblemen who by reason that the King of Meaco's Regall authority began to grow now out of date had withdrawn themselues from his obedience changing â—â—is determination and leauing off all thought of obâ—ayning the King Letters-Patents began to try the Meacensians themselues how they stood affected towards the Christian Religion But finding the whole Cittty in perplexity and solicitous expectation and feare of warres which were then coÌ„ming vpon them he lost his tyme and labour in speaking to them who had their eares mynds wholy bent another way Moreouer when he preached in the streets to the people that stood round about him which had also hapned to him in other townes the boyes and baser sorte of people threw old shoes and stones also at his head to driue him away so far was obstinate Superstition from opening her eares or vnderstanding to admit of wholesome doctrine But he went away reioycing that he had byn held worthy to suffer reproach for the name of IESVS At last when he saw the saw the Citty to be both disquieted in it selfe wholy auerted froÌ„ the Ghospel it much grieued him that after so loÌ„g painfull a iourney he was to depart without doing any good hauing not so much as reaped one handfull out of so large spacious a field But leauing all to Gods diuine prouidence he returneth agayne to Amangucium comforting himselfe with this consideration That it is a great honour not only to do but also to suffer for Christ CHAP. VII Hauing by Presents obtayned the King of Amangucium his fauour he conuerteth many to the Christian Faith RETVRNING therfore to Amangucium with almost as much trauell and misery as he had gone from thence to Meaco he determined presently to go vnto the King â—o deliuer him certaine letters and presents from the â—iceroy of India and the Bishop of Goa which he had â—â—eft at Firandum He intended to haue presented these â—uifts to the King of Meaco who was sayd to be the â—â—reatest of all Iaponia but when he perceiued that he â—aigned now at other mens pleasures and that his â—uthority was not so great as his Name and withall â—hat the King of Amangucium was very potent and wealthy changing his determination he thought it â—est to present them vnto him deeming it not amisse â—o gaine his fauour by guifts who was by his authoâ—ity best able to helpe the Christian cause So returâ—ing speedily to Firandum he bethinkes himselfe of a â—â—ew meanes to obteine accesse vnto the King the which necessity had forced him vnto He had now learnt by experience that the Iapoâ—ians according to the common corruption of mortalls esteemed men by the outward shew and ornament of their body that any one in poore cloathes was scarce accounted a man amongst them as if the worth of man consisted rather in his outward attyre then in his vertuous disposition Wherefore laying aside his old worne coate he resolued to cloath himselfe in Court-like habit and by the splendour of his ornaments so to feed the eyes of such as were carryed away rather by the exteriour shew of things then by that which was truly good indeed that afterwards he might bring them to conceiue the light of Truth As soone therfore as he came backe againe to Amanguâ—ium putting himselfe into rich apparell and with two or three seruaÌ„ts attending him he went vnto the King And the euent declared his prudence heerein For being presently brought in to the King by his officers he is by him receiued in a very
God What Kingdomes what Nations what people did not they make subiect to the Crosse And to say nothing of others how wel did S. Thomas the Apostle carry the matter for the Christian cause in India whither you now goe vnder the conduct of the same God How many barbarous nations did he win to ciuility How many Aultars of false Gods did he ouerthrow How many kingdoms did he bring vnder the sweet yoke of Christ Neyther ought the terrour of miseries or death it selfe make you slacke in adâ—enturing For to one that thinketh vpon life euerlasting this life is vile and to a mortall man nothing is more to be desired then a good and happy death To one therfore who contemneth nay desireth death what can seeme hard bitter or horrible Go one therfore and by Gods holy conduct and S. Thomas his example extend farre and wide in the east the bounds of Christian Religion The hand of God is not abbreuiated He that in times past founded the Church by Apostles increased and adorned it afterward by Apostolicall men Then Francis shewing by his countenance his submission of mind answered almost in this manner For my part most holy Father I do not know what I can do in this kind why I aboue al others should be chosen for this great worke This I leaue to them to iudge of who haue chosen me For it belongeth not to him that obeyth to iudge what he can do but to them that command But I by how much I distrust in my owne forces by so much I confide in the assistance and prouidence of God who choseth weake things of the world to confound the stronge that all flesh may not glory in his sight Therfore I assuredly hope that he who hath layd this charge vpon me wil also giue me forces for the performance therof according to his pleasure The Pope when he perceiued in his countenance and by this speach a token of great worth in Xauerius iudging that he who was to propagate the faith among the Indians had need of greater authority of his owne accord gaue vnto him his owne power as farre as should be needfull For he made Francis his legate Apostolicall in India And therof gaue letters patents to the King of Portugals Embassadour to be deliuered to his King wherewith if he thought it good he might honour Francis at his departure into India Francis therfore who thought himselfe not sufficient to vndergo so great a burthen returned home more glad that that Honour was differred then if it had presently been giuen vnto him Thence he tooke leaue of his friends not without many teares on both sides all being very sory for his departure and with him he carryed nothing at all but his ordinary habit a Breuiary He went from Rome to Portugall in company of Mascarenas the Kings Embassadour in the yeare of our Lord 1540. hauing for his coÌ„panion Paul Camertes who about that tyme had byn by Ignatius receaued into the Society In his iourney he gaue no lesse signes of modesty then of sanctity For although he were giuen to the â—ontemplation of heauenly things yet being not altoâ—ether vnmindfull of humane he shewed himselfe so â—ourteous vnto all that when he came to the Inne he would leaue the best chambers beds to other of his company contenting himselfe with the worst things And when the seruants neglected to looke vnto their â—aisters horses or discharge other inferiour seruile â—ffices he would himselfe do them all shewing himâ—lf therin rather a seruant indeed then a companion â—et none was more pleasant in coÌ„uersation then him â—lfe none more ready in all kind of courtesies He â—ught by all meanes to deserue well of all he spake 〈◊〉 euery one louingly and friendly he would himself â—sit others in a courteous manner and alwayes bid â—â—em welcome with a cheerfull countenance who came vnto him he did easily and willingly yield vnto others his discourse was seasoned with a sweete and pleasing affability But which is hardest of all he kept such a meane in all these things that tempering courtesy with grauity both his actions and wordes sauoured all of sanctity It was his proper and continuall custome to discourse of matters which were eyther pious in themselues or els seasoned with piety and to incite all with whome he conuersed by occasion eyther of speach or otherwise to the hatred oâ— vice amendment of life shewing them that it was harder to endure vices then the remedies thereof And the wholsome bitternes of these discourses he alwayes allayed with the sweet sawce of many courteous offices Diuers accidents also made Xauerius his paynefulâ— care no lesse admirable for his deeds then for his words Vpon a tyme the Embassadour being angry with his Harbinger because he had byn negligent in preparing his lodging reprehended him sharpely for it but being gotten from his Maister as he waâ— intemperate both in his passion and speach he inueighed vehemently agaynst him to his companions iâ— Francis his hearing who thinking it best to dissemble the matter for the present whilest he was yet in choller forbare to speake vnto him that his mind being pacifyed he might the easier be cured The next day therfore he obserued the man watching an occasion to reprehend him and when it grew towards night the Harbinger as the custome was began to ride on before to prouide lodging whereupon Francis getting presently on horse-backe for most commonly he went on foote for pouerty sake although he might haue had a horse set spurres to his side and made hast after him When he had almost ouertaken him the Harbingers horse by chance yet very fitly for his purpose falling downe lay vpon the man with all his weight by which misfortune he was in daunger to haue byn slayne but that Xauerius came at the very point and saued his life Then taking that as an occasion to tell him of his former fault What quoth he would haue byn come of thee if suddaine death which was not farre of had surprized thee being out of the state of grace by reason of thy anger yesterday and intemperancy of thy tongue for which thou hast not yet satisfyed These wordes so stroke the Harbinâ—er who now saw manifestly the daÌ„ger which he had â—scaped to the hart that he was sory for his fault â—nd being put in mynd of his fury the day before acâ—nowledged his vnbridled passion and intemperanâ—e of tongue and then by Xauerius persuasion gaue saâ—sfaction to his companions whome he had scandaliâ—ed Francis also did not only comfort and assist with â—ll courtesy his companions when they were weary with trauayling but also in their daungers gaue them â—uccour with his prayers when he could not with â—is hands One of the Embassadours chiefe pages alâ—hough dissuaded by the rest aduenturing to ride ouer a swift riuer was brought euen to the point to be cast away for being now carryed into the violent â—streame and not
incredible furnisheth them with wine vineger and oyle yea and besides this with matter likewise for houses ships ropes and bookes Nature in this manner making one tree a storehouse almost of all things They haue also aboundance of fish and cattle very great store of Pearles which lying inclosed in shell-fishes the inhabitants search after with great diligeÌ„ce in the holes of rockes And this is the greatest cause why ancient writers speake so much of the wealth of India since Riot hath set a price vpon the Sea's excrements The Natiue people of the Country being blacke of complexion couer themselues from the nauell to the knee with fine linnen leauing all the rest of their body naked They are ordinarily of a seruile and deceiptfull nature yet in so rich a country the people are most commonly poore their riches being ordinarily engrossed in a few mens hands by reason of their Kings Princes tyranny ouer them Yet want doth not with hould them from excesse in their attire For all both men and women haue commonly gold or copper iewells hanging at their eares which by art they drawe downe to their shoulders as a thing they much glory in Most of them also weare for an ornament bracelets vpon their armes so effeminate they are become in their attire Many other things besides are recounted of their customes which I hould not worth the speaking of with further hindrance to this history The head Citty of India is Goa scituate in an Iland of the same name almost right against the Persian gulfe distant from the mouth of the riuer Indus some 300. miles or thereabout This Citty being fortifyed by art and nature for the Iland wherin it standeth is diuided from the coÌ„tinent by a strait arme of the sea for the multitude and fayrenesse of buildings for traffique wealth and number of Cittizens and inhabitants may not vnworthily be compared with the chiefe Citties of Europe And therfore both the Archbishop the Viceroy of India haue therin their seates and is very much frequented by the Portugheses There be very certayne proofes not only of S. Thomas the Apostles being in India but also that he watered the same with his bloud bringing very many therein to the fayth of Christ but their posterity liuing mixt with Ethnickes and Saracens are now by litle and litle fallen into abominable superstitions so as for a very long tyme excepting a few villages the inhabitants whereof take their name from S. Thomas there was almost no signe of Christianity left in India but only a bare report thereof vntill the Portugheses obtayning Goa and other Townes of India deliuered the Indians from the seruitude of the Saracens other Tyrants and restored them agayne to the light of the Gospell For by liuing amongst them they gayned the inhabitants to become members of Christ At this tyme Iohn Alboquercius of the Order of S. Francis a man famous both for his learning and religious feruour was â—ishop of Goa hauing likewise authority ouer all Indiâ— by reason that there was neuer a Bishop therein but only himselfe He with a few others of his owne Order although he laboured more for the Christian cause then from so small a number could haue byn expected yet through want of Priests could not do so much good as necessity required There were then no religious men in all India but the Franciscans who were so imployed in assisting the Portugheses that they had no time to attend to the Ethnickes Of these Friar Iames Borban was most eminent both for his learning vertue and zeale of propagating the Christan fayth For he hauing conuerted and baptized certayne Indian children after he had instructed them in the mystertes of the Christian faith and taught them the Portughese language he vsed them as his interpreters in the conuersion of Ethnickes which inuention had good suuesse answerable to the witty contriuing therof He therfore assisted by pious and worthy persons began to thinke vpon greater matters and instituting a Seminary for the Indians he imployed himselfe wholy in teaching the students therof Wherfore albeyt the Bishop and the Franciscans out of their singular piety desired to spread the Christian fayth ouer India yet they being but few in number were not able to supply so many places Therfore the superstition of the Ethnicks and Saracens bare great sway not only in other townes of the Portughess but also in the Citty of Goa it selfe For the Pagans Saracens being wealthy and liuing euery where amongst the Portugheses practised their execrable rites publikely euen at noone day the Gouernours of the Fortes winking therat eyther because the forces of their new commaund were not as yet sufficiently established or else because their was no body to couince them of their errour and bring them to the true worship of Christ Moreouer if any inferiour Ethnickes chanced to become Christians they were so tormented by the richer sort that they durst scarse professe themselues Christians For the Ethnicke and Saracen merchants who dealt with the Kings wares and customes were so rich euen in Goa that through fauour power they could do much both with the Portugheses the Christian Magistrates So as the new Christians being oppressed the conuersion of the Ethnickes grew very cold The state of the Portugheses themselues was not much better In many places there was very seldome vse of Sacraments and of sermons almost none at all Because in all India there were but two or three Preachers at the most and not many more Priests Wherfore most of the Portughese garrisons were many tymes for whole yeares togeather without eyther sermon or Masse And besides this the beastly and wicked conuersation of the Saracens and Ethnickes drew them on to much lewdnes For none were more corrupted in their behauiour then they nor more forcible to set sensuall lust on fire ech one giuing himselfe to vncleane pleasures esteemed nothing lighter almost then his owne wiues honesty Wherfore the Portugheses although naturally they be inclined to temperance and frugality yet giuing themselues amidst so corrupt a nation to ouermuch banquetting to other things which follow therof kept commonly with them in their houses many harlotts which they had bought as slaues And hauing none to reprehend their vices their lust was growne to such a height that they counted it a point of honour to liue lewdly esteemed no gaine vniust or disgracefull so much had couetousnesse fortifyed by bad custome changed all things It was ordinary amongst them to passe diuers yeares without eyther Confession or Communion and if any did confesse more then once in a yeare they were commonly held for hypocrites In so much that if any one would perchance out of remorse of conscience go oftener to confession he must do it priuatly to auoyd the note speach of others like Nicodemus who came to Christ by night Moreouer the Portugheses wiues and harlots being natiue of that Country
be accounted a lyar or else that Francis disdayned to come vnto his house he departed in a chafe As he was in the way homeward one of his family meeteth him and bringeth him tydings that the mayd was aliue and in good health Wherupon the man feeling his sorrow in an instant turned into ioy hasteth home with great desire to see his daughter whome he so dearely loued When he entred into his house beheld her aliue and in health he could hardly belieue his owne eyes and with teares trickling downe for ioy asked her by what meanes she was restored againe to life As soone quoth she as I was dead there stood ready at hand certaine cruel executioners who snatching me vp went to cast me headlong into an horrible pit of fire but vpon the suddain there appeared two other singular men by whose meanes I was deliuered out of those executioners hands restored to life againe At this relation of the maid the father stood a while astonished through admiration Then perceiuing manifestly that it was done by Xauerius help he leadeth his daughter to him to giue him thankes Assoone as she saw Francis his companion she stood at first amazed then turning to her father she cryeth out Behould Father these be the two men that rescued me from Hell Then he with the mayd falling downe at Xauerius feete with aboundance of teares gaue him humble thanks who presently taking them vp with ioy of hart willeth them to giue thaÌ„kes to Christ the sonne of God and Author of mans saluation Neither was this great miracle done in vaine For this one mayds restoring to life caused the saluation of many others And the Father daughter and all the rest of that family presently became Christians Others also were by this example mooued to implore Xauerius ayde desired to receaue the faith of Christ Amongst whome there was a certaine Leaper borne of good parentage who had sent one to Francis reâ—uesting him to come cure him But he receiuing the â—â—essage excuseth himselfe in a courteous manner by â—â—eason of his so many other imployments yet sendeth â—ne of his companions to him with instructions what â—â—o do When he came thither he saluteth the sick man â—erylouingly asketh him three times as Xauerius had â—ppointed whether he would become a ChristiaÌ„ And â—â—uing a signe that he would the other presently maâ—â—eth vpon him the signe of the Holy Crosse A wonâ—erfull thing He had no sooner done but the Crosse â—â—stantly wiped cleane away the leaprosy Wherupon â—â—e man was instructed in the Christian faith a litâ—â—e after baptized These things being done in the view â—â—f the whole Citty of Cangoxima were straight carriâ—â—d into India and related to Francis his companions â—â—here not only by Vincent Pereira a Portughese merâ—hant and Xauerius familiar friend a man worthy of â—ll credit although in a matter of such importance â—â—ut by many others also CHAP. IIII. He receaueth nevves of the Martyrdome of Fa. Antony Criminalis NOW whilst Xauerius was reioycing at the happy successe of Christian affayres in Iaponia there came vnto him letters out of India that did somewhat afflict him by which he vnderstood of the death of Fa. Antony Criminalis This man as we said before was by Francis made superiour in the Promontory of Comorinum hauing for the space of foure yeares with great fruit of his labours managed the affayres of Christian Religion in that Coast in the yeare 1549. a little before Xauerius entred into Iaponia obteined the crowne of Martyrdome a reward due to his paynes For when a great band of the Badages inflamed with hatred against Christian Religion had from the bordring kingdome of Bisnaga broken into the coast of Comorinum spoiling destroying all before them the Christians in such a fearefull tumult presently forsooke their villages and houses and began to fly to the Portughese shippes which at that time lay there at anker Antony therfore being in a great throng of women and children and troubled with many cares incouraged those who were afraid to make hast away and withall affoarded his help and assistance to others that were weake and cold not fly so fast In the meane time the enemy approached he fearing least some of the Neophytes being intercepted by the Barbarians might through payne of torments be drawne from the faith of Christ resolued like a good Pastour there to spend his life for his sheep if need required The Portugheses inuited and intreated him to come into their shippes to auoid the preseÌ„t danger but he wholy forgetting himselfe prouided more for the safety of those that were with him then his owne by ridding out of the way those especially women children who by reason of their weakenesse were most in danger Now whilst he freeth others from the cruelty of the Barbarians being himselfe stopped from recouering the shippes for that the enemy had gotten betweene him the shore he fel into their hands Then all burning with the loue of God and hauing his cogitations fixed rather vpon Eternity then vpon this mortall life kneeling downe vpon the ground and lifting vp his hands to heauen offereth himselfe to death with incredible courage and constancy Nor was the Barbarians cruelty lesse then his valour For being thrust through the body with three launces he fell downe dead And it is reported that when they were stripping him as he lay thus grieuously wounded he helped those cruell robbers to draw off his owne cloathes that he might not seeme to hold his apparell faster then his life This newes which could not otherwise choose caused in Xauerius diuers affections For as it grieued him that he was depriued of so notable a subiect so was he greatly ioyed for the Fathers good fortune in receauing the reward of his labours by so noble a Crowne So as honouring the memorable death of this holy man both with teares and prayses he began to hope firmely that the sterility of that field being now watered with the bloud of this Martyr would dayly yield more plenty of fruite Neyther was his hope heerein frustrate For since that tyme the Ghospell hath no where yielded a more plentiful haruest then in the coast of Comorinum so abundant hath byn the increase of Neophytes in that coast no lesse eminent in piety that in sweetnesse of manners CHAP. V. The course of Christian affayres being hindred at Cangoxima he goeth to preach the Ghospell at Firandum Amangucium FRANCIS hauing the like occasion in the citty of Cangoxima met with a farre different condition For when he thirsting after Martyrdome had weakned beaten downe the authority of the Bonzies and that the forward spring of neophites begaÌ„ to make now a glorious shew behold vpon the suddaine a tempest was raysed by the Bonzies which brought great calamity to the Christian cause and which was more heauy to Xauerius then euen death it selfe Many were now by diuine instinct
laying before their Auditours the foulenesse of sinne and the greatnesse of the offence against the diuine Maiesty togeather with the wrath which from heauen is threatned against such enormities to draw them to sorrow of hart and repentance But it will not be a misse to heare what instructions he himselfe giueth vnto Gaspar The chiefest office of a Preacher sayth he is to cause in his auditour great feeling of his sinnes and to terrify him from future crimes and enormities by laying before him the infallible and neuer ending tormeÌ„ts of the damned To discouer also the deceiptes and treacheries of Sathan and in fine to treate of such things as may be rather vnderstood then admired euen by the vulgar sort Wherfore in his Sermons he was not to cite too many testimonies out of holy scripture nor to handle such things as were doubtful in controuersy among Doctours but such as were certayne plaine and fit to draw men to the amendment of their liues and good deportement in their behauiour He should therfore much insist vpon reprehending of vices making grieuous complaints for the iniuries which are done to our Sauiour Christ eagerly threatning reuenge from heauen and euerlasting torments which are prepared in hell for lewd and wicked persons togeather with the imminent terrours of death which often times seizeth vpon meÌ„ when they least expect it Certaine points also were to be propounded by way of colloquy either of a penitent sinner with God or of God all-enraged with a sinnefull man But all meanes must be vsed that by the feruour of their speach the auditours may at last open the eyes of their harts to behould the wounds of their soules cure them by meanes of the Sacraments And thus his Sermons will in the end proue profitable and fruitfull notwithstanding he is to take great heed that he do not let fall any inconsiderate words which may reprehend or touch any one in particuler either present or absent especially if they be Prelates or Magistrates For if such persons shall chance to offend it will be better and more secure to admonish ech of thempriuately and discreetly at home in his owne house or in confession For to reprehend them publickly is no way conuenient so apt are men when they are tould of their faults to be rather exasperated therat then to amend the same especially Gouernours and Magistrates whose authority certainly seemeth much impeached when they are reprehended before their owne subiects because great Honours cause ordinarily great spirits which may not easily be reprehended If any such person be admonished in priuate this course shall be taken to do the same more earnestly or gently according as you are acquainted with him for that which is accounted freedome amongst familiar friends may seeme oftentymes too much boldnesse with strangers the rigour also of the reprehension it selfe must be tempered with cheerfullnesse of countenance and mildnesse of speach Wherefore let al sterne looks harshnesse of words be layd aside let there be intermingled imbracements suitable to that purpose if the state of the person will allow it with frequent signes of humility that being woone therby he may with a more contented mynd receaue that soueraigne antidote of your admonition For if the reprehension which of it selfe is allwayes bitter inough should be presented vnto such men in a harsh or crabbed manner persons of great spirits being not able to brooke the affront will certaynely contemne and reiect your wholsome admonishment moreouer will cast of all respect vnto vs and vpon the suddayne become our enemies who before were friends And these things are to be vnderstood of principall persons and such as are placed in gouernement and authority Moreouer he required often and frequent sermoÌ„s supposing that out of that common fountayne there might flow many and particular benefits Wherefore he would not haue a Sermon omitted without good cause nor preachers to be busied in other affayres Concerning which subiect as also about the diligent endeauours of a Preacher he giueth to F. Gaspar this diuine instruction You shall sayth he neuer prefer a priuate good before a common Wherefore preaching must not be omitted for the hearing of Confessions nor the instruction of Children or ignorant people be put of for priuate exercises of charity If you come into a Towne which you do not know your chiefe care shall be to inquire of some persons of esteeme and credit about the vices vnto which the inhabitants are addicted and what vniust contracts be among them Agaynst which your sermons shall indeed be carryed on with a certayne seruour that such vices and corruptions may by reprehending afterwards more sharpely in Confession be wholy taken away For the chiefe meanes to help soules is to know the disposition and behauiour of the people in generall and the diseases as much as may be of euery one in particular to wit who disagree amongst themselues who beare emnity to one another what deceipts what iniustice in matters of equity what perfidiousnesse of witnesses what corruption of Iudges and iudgements there be among them These thinges therefore must be inquired after of prudent and experienced persons and all carefull consideration be vsed to find out what course ought best to be taken for the curing thereof You shall moreouer by all meanes possible draw your peniteÌ„ts to lay open their whole soule vnto you for you will find no other way better wherby to help those with whome you conuerse in matters concerning their saluation then if you can throughly sound out their inclinations and conditions and all such things as hinder them in the way of vertue This indeed ought to be their chiefe study who imploy themselues for the gaining of soules This in fine is the true reading in liuing bookes which will teach you what you cannot find in dead papers For the things which are deliuered in writing vse not alwayes to be so good for practise as those which are taught in liuing bookes who are the persons with whome you be conuersant in the same affayres These bookes assuredly will easily teach vs a prudent method both how to conuerse warily amongst men and to preach also with profit vnto the people Notwithstanding I speake not these things in such sort as that I would not haue the worthy monuments of holy and learned men to be read but to giue you this rule That you should gather doctrine froÌ„ thence to confirme therby such cures of vices which you haue drawen out of those liuing bookes for so much as both the examples and sentences of holy men as also the testimonies of sacred Writ are of great force to giue credit to any thing you teach Moreouer in your conuersation and discourse there must rather appeare a cherfulnesse sweetnesse of countenance then sadnesse and seuerity For if you carry your selfe with heauinesse too much grauity many will be teâ—ryfied with your lookes and will assuredly
owne soules inflamed with diuine loue and others also wil be stirred vp to the lyke deeds and the seruants of God get credit and authority towards the aduancement of the Christian cause But especially they should neuer make account of ill rumours made agaynst them without cause which do often ouerthrow and weaken the endeauours of those that be fearefull Concerning this there is extant as notable instruction which he gaue to Fa. Gaspar in these words If when at any time you go about a good worke ill disposed persons giue out slaunderous reports against you you shall not be moued therewith but be sure that none perceiue you are by such mens words hindred from the seruice of God For they who are afrayd of false rumors in such a case are more truly Souldiars of the world then of Christ Lastly I would haue you greatly to esteeme of this That remembring yourself to be a member of the Society of IESVS you would in all your words and actions carry your selfe worthy of such an Head and Body By which admonitions it might easâ—â—â— appeare how diligently and seriously Xauerius both by examples and precepts trayned vp those of the Society to the highest perfection of prudence and sanctity as also how conformable Ignatius and he were in all their iudgments and opinions notwithstanding that at the very same time they were almost infinitely distant the one from the other Ignatius being superiour of the Society in Italy he in India But without doubt one the same spirit dictated the same things vnto them both fashioning the Society in ech place to a certaine forme of discipline and inspiring them both with diuine wisedome alike Xauerius prudence was not more seene in giuing his instructions then in his gouernement For whersoeuer he resided he would alwayes be certified by the locall superiours of the Society how all things passed prouiding remedies for all difficulties no otherwise then if himselfe had bin present For at his departure into Iaponia he gaue order that they should at certaine times write vnto him acquaint him what number there were of the Society as also with their qualities tallents both of vertue learning arts yea with their inclinatioÌ„s also to what they were most addicted as well by nature as by disposition what zeale of soules appeared in ech of them what fruit euery one reaped with what griefes or afflictions ech one was oppressed tryed and afflicted And lastly so great was his care euen in the smallest thinges that he would be certified of the meanest houshould seruant as also what debts were owing and the like and so accordingly he disposed of ech person and thing in particular by letters as was requisite And not contenting himself with hauing giueÌ„ order what was to be done he charged also the Superiours to signify vnto him with all speed whether euery one had carefully performed his commands or no to the end that his command to them might set an edge vpon their cares for the better discharging of their office Moreouer although in his trauailes throughout the vtmost Easterne parts he bent all his forces for the conuersion of those barbarous Nations notwithstanding in his returne back through almost infinite tracts of the Ocean he at times visited those of the Society which were committed to his trust deuiding his care according to his double charge that he might so assist strangers as not to be wanting to his owne Certainly by his singular industry and vertue he so contriued all things that if you consider how much he aduaunced the Christian Religion he may seeme to haue had no time to think of the Society againe 〈◊〉 you turne your consideration to the care which he had of the Society you will thinke he neither did nor could possibly haue had tyme to performe any thing els FINIS Gentle Reader THE faults which haue escaped in printing by reason of imploying strangers heerin not skillfull of our Language I hope are not very many nor yet such as may not easily be corrected by thy iudicious Reading His Nobility of birth His Parents His Education His virginall chastity Cant. c. 2 He preferreth learning before armes The Colledge of S. Barbara He studieth Philosophy at Paris He interpreteth Aristotle at Paris publikely A Prophecy concerning his Apostleship in the new world His acquaintaÌ„ce with S. Ignatius S. Ignatius his aduises Ignatius gently handleth Francis his wildnesse Heb. 1â— Francis his deliberation about chaÌ„ging his course of life Phil. 3. Heb. 12. Mortification His agility of body He tyeth about parts of his body a litle rope Foure dayes he abstaines from eating any thing Coquest of himselfe Meditation vpoÌ„ the life death of Christ His desir of Martyrdom He binds himselfe to God by vow Yeerly renewing of vowes FrequeÌ„t renouation of vowes He breaketh of his course of Diuinity not farre from the end Their manner of trauaile Voluntary mortification in his iorney Through anguish of body he faints in the way His malady being held desperate the PhysitiaÌ„ giues him ouer He is cured from heauen In the way he serueth his coÌ„panions Vpon the way he helpeth his neighbours He winneth the heretiques affections With speciall care he serueth a sick man full of â—oares He sucketh out the filthy matter Conquest of himself Religious regard towards vowes Iorneying on foot in Lent and begging he truly fasteth Taking but a litle piece of bread they go on foot a good dayes iorney He voweth perpetuall pouerty and Chastity He is made Priest Preparation for his first Masse Gse 2. Psal 84. After his solitary life he beginneth to teach the peple He lodged with Hierome Casiline His diligence in helping his neighbours euen wheÌ„ he was il himself His manner of preaching The substance fruit of his sermons Loue of Pouerty Xauier sparing in his words but woÌ„derfully efficacious Saying Masse of the Passion he is abstracted from his senses The place where he lodged turned into a Chappell He preacheth in S. Laurence of Damasus The King of Portugall demanded some of the Society Phil. c. 1. Ignatius his speach Francis his obedience and greatnes of mynd Francis his dreame of bearing an Indian vpon his shoulders Paul the 3. his speach Rom. c. 4. 1. Cor. 2. Francis made legate Apostolicall of India He lookes to others horses He expects a fit time to reprehend By his prayers he saueth one from drowning He draweth the Embassadours Secretary out of the snow He passeth by his owne country without saluting his kindred Descrip of Lisbone He cureth Simon Rodriquez of a quaâ—tane The Kings speach Xauierâ— and Rodriquez answere Refusing a fayre lodging they go to the Hospital of the sicke Their manner of life in the Hospitall Many of the Citty are recal led to a good life The frequent vse of the Sacraments is brought into Portugall In Portugall he is called an Apostle The Kings speach Xauier others of the Society of Jesus are mantayned in India by